Discharged Under Don't Ask Don't Tell Six Years Later Service Member Reenlists
His dream of becoming a seagoing sailor was cut short by the discriminatory policy known as, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Now, William Norman is back and ready for action. Earlier this week he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Boston, MA, February 09, 2012 --(PR.com)-- When William Norman, now 25, was 19-years-old he joined the U.S. Navy out of San Antonio, Texas. However, through an unfortunate chain of events, his dream of becoming a seagoing sailor was cut short by the discriminatory policy known as, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Now, William is back and ready for action. Earlier this week he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Looking back, William told OutMilitary.com that he joined under DADT because he felt that hiding the fact that he is gay “would have been manageable.”
“I thought that I could keep my true self contained from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” he said. “But it was not like that whatsoever. It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be.”
Ultimately, William only served 7 months in the Navy. While he was attending military training and education in Pensacola, Florida, his military career – short as it was – came to an abrupt stop.
“I come from a military family,” said William admiringly. “I saw how much joy it brought my father to serve in the Air Force, so I wanted to serve my country as well.”
When William joined the Navy he went into a self-imposed closet. “I tucked it all away so I would be able to follow the DADT law,” he admits.
Allegedly while at a “hang out spot” with a couple of female friends a male approached the group. “I thought he was hitting on the girls,” explained William. "But when they left he invited me up to his dorm room. I told him I wasn’t interested. He didn’t like my answer and the next morning I got called into an investigation where I was told that a young Airman had reported that I approached him wanting to engage in sex.”
William alleges he tried to tell them the truth. Allegedly, after questioning him and his accuser, William says they told him, “If you are lying to us and we investigate you and find out you will get court marshaled and receive a dishonorable discharge.”
“Being 19, scared, and upset, I ended up admitting my sexual orientation so I would receive an honorable discharge,” he said. “The process was long and scary. I felt like everyone knew. It was not a great feeling.”
After he received his discharge papers, William went back to school and got a job managing an after school care program at the YMCA.
After DADT was repealed, he felt that he might have a chance to reenlist. William says he was drawn to the military because, “I want stability in my life.”
“Plus,” he added, “I always like to finish what I start.”
“I remember following the repeal of DADT on CNN,” he continued. “When they began to show proof that DADT would, in fact, get repealed, I swore on my father’s grave that I would start the process to get back in once DADT was gone.”
When asked about OutMilitary.com, William enthusiastically exclaimed, “I love it!”
“I love what OutMilitary.com is doing and am glad that I signed up,” he told officials.
William’s intent was to, originally, reenlist in the Navy but, “They were taking too long.”
“But then Phillip Zimmerman, an OutMilitary.com Administrator, spoke to me about the U.S. Coast Guard,” said William. “I talked with a recruiter and within 1 month I was accepted into the organization.”
“So, in reality, since Phil is a major part of OutMilitary.com, the site really is responsible for pointing me in the right direction,” he said. “I can’t thank you all enough.”
On his OutMilitary.com profile, William writes: "I can't say thank you enough for everyone's support, especially Admin. Phillip for believing in me. :) my enlistment is dedicated to those affected by dadt who can no longer serve. :)"
William said that, for other young men and women who were booted out of military service because of DADT, he would say, “Never give up. A lot of people fought for us to get a second chance so never take ‘no’ as a final answer.”
At the end of the day, William Norman says he is “an out and proud future guardian in the U.S. Coast Guard who is proud to serve our country.”
OutMilitary.com officials wish William all the best with his new career in the U.S. Coast Guard. Thank you, once again, for your service William.
###
Looking back, William told OutMilitary.com that he joined under DADT because he felt that hiding the fact that he is gay “would have been manageable.”
“I thought that I could keep my true self contained from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” he said. “But it was not like that whatsoever. It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be.”
Ultimately, William only served 7 months in the Navy. While he was attending military training and education in Pensacola, Florida, his military career – short as it was – came to an abrupt stop.
“I come from a military family,” said William admiringly. “I saw how much joy it brought my father to serve in the Air Force, so I wanted to serve my country as well.”
When William joined the Navy he went into a self-imposed closet. “I tucked it all away so I would be able to follow the DADT law,” he admits.
Allegedly while at a “hang out spot” with a couple of female friends a male approached the group. “I thought he was hitting on the girls,” explained William. "But when they left he invited me up to his dorm room. I told him I wasn’t interested. He didn’t like my answer and the next morning I got called into an investigation where I was told that a young Airman had reported that I approached him wanting to engage in sex.”
William alleges he tried to tell them the truth. Allegedly, after questioning him and his accuser, William says they told him, “If you are lying to us and we investigate you and find out you will get court marshaled and receive a dishonorable discharge.”
“Being 19, scared, and upset, I ended up admitting my sexual orientation so I would receive an honorable discharge,” he said. “The process was long and scary. I felt like everyone knew. It was not a great feeling.”
After he received his discharge papers, William went back to school and got a job managing an after school care program at the YMCA.
After DADT was repealed, he felt that he might have a chance to reenlist. William says he was drawn to the military because, “I want stability in my life.”
“Plus,” he added, “I always like to finish what I start.”
“I remember following the repeal of DADT on CNN,” he continued. “When they began to show proof that DADT would, in fact, get repealed, I swore on my father’s grave that I would start the process to get back in once DADT was gone.”
When asked about OutMilitary.com, William enthusiastically exclaimed, “I love it!”
“I love what OutMilitary.com is doing and am glad that I signed up,” he told officials.
William’s intent was to, originally, reenlist in the Navy but, “They were taking too long.”
“But then Phillip Zimmerman, an OutMilitary.com Administrator, spoke to me about the U.S. Coast Guard,” said William. “I talked with a recruiter and within 1 month I was accepted into the organization.”
“So, in reality, since Phil is a major part of OutMilitary.com, the site really is responsible for pointing me in the right direction,” he said. “I can’t thank you all enough.”
On his OutMilitary.com profile, William writes: "I can't say thank you enough for everyone's support, especially Admin. Phillip for believing in me. :) my enlistment is dedicated to those affected by dadt who can no longer serve. :)"
William said that, for other young men and women who were booted out of military service because of DADT, he would say, “Never give up. A lot of people fought for us to get a second chance so never take ‘no’ as a final answer.”
At the end of the day, William Norman says he is “an out and proud future guardian in the U.S. Coast Guard who is proud to serve our country.”
OutMilitary.com officials wish William all the best with his new career in the U.S. Coast Guard. Thank you, once again, for your service William.
###
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OutMilitary.com
John McKinnon
1-800-278-4670 x23
OutMilitary.com
John McKinnon
1-800-278-4670 x23
OutMilitary.com
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