Navy Re-Enlists Soldier Discharged Under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
The Stars & Stripes, a paper published for the U.S. military, is reporting that petty officer second class Jason Knight, who was discharged under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, is back on active duty. He told the Navy he was gay after annulling his marriage and explaining the circumstances to his superiors:
The Stars & Stripes: "But now — whether through a clerical oversight or what some claim is an unwritten change in policy to keep more gay servicemembers in the ranks at a time of war — Jason Knight is back on active duty. Since promoted to petty officer second class, Knight is finishing a scheduled one-year tour in Kuwait with Naval Customs Battalion Bravo."
The Navy has not commented on Knight's case, but Servicemen's Legal Defense Network says it displays a hypocrisy on the part of the armed forces and further reveals the armed forces policy to be discriminatory and unnecessary. Said SLDN director of law and policy Sharra Greer: "Petty Officer Knight’s story shatters the myth that openly gay troops undermine unit cohesion or morale. The Pentagon knows full well that lesbians and gays are good service members. If military leaders believe otherwise, then they need to explain why gay troops are being called back to active duty and sent to the frontlines. SLDN applauds the Navy for recognizing Knight’s talent and qualification. Now the time has come to allow every gay service member to serve openly, and to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’"
The paper notes that Knight, already kicked out of the Navy once, now sees no need to hide the fact that he's gay. Said Knight of his recall: "I thought it was a joke at first. It was the ultimate kick in the ass. But then I thought, there isn’t much they can do to me they haven’t done the first time."
Discharged gay sailor is called back to active duty [stars & stripes]
Recently...
McCain Restates Support of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" [tr]
Bush Backs "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", Won't Judge Morality [tr]
Posted May. 7,2007 at 3:25 PM EST by Andy Towle in Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Military, News | Permalink
Lions and tigers and bears! Don't tell John Advancing Alzheimer's McCain or Colon for Brains Powell!
Petty Officer Knight told "Stars & Stripes": “I spent four years in the Navy, buried fallen servicemembers as part of the Ceremonial Guard, served as a Hebrew Linguist in Navy Intelligence, and received awards for exemplary service. However, because I was gay, the Navy discharged me and recouped my $13,000 sign-on bonus. Nine months later, the Navy recalled me to active duty. Did I accept despite everything that happened? Of course I did, and I would do it again. Because I love the Navy and I love my country. And despite Pace’s opinion, my shipmates support me.”
Posted by: Leland | May 7, 2007 4:48:50 PM
Aha!
Our Knight in shining armor indeed...
My concern now is that the WH will get wind of this and force his discharge again as a "clerical error".
Posted by: anon | May 7, 2007 5:06:35 PM
And recoup his pay again.
Posted by: sam | May 7, 2007 5:42:58 PM
Anon and sam, as soon as jerry falwell gets wind of it and after he then contacts the white house.....that is when Bush will have a big ta do about getting rid of all us imoral gays from the army of jeeebbbbbusss here in jeeebbbuussss land.
Anyway; good for Mr. Knight for his service to his country despite that service being abused by shrub.
Posted by: pacificoceanboy | May 7, 2007 6:06:20 PM
Respectfully, Soldiers serve in the Army. The Navy has Sailors.
Posted by: Horton | May 7, 2007 8:10:40 PM
Well, the hypocrisy of this entire "don't ask, don't tell" policy is definitely coming to the fore. I applaud Mr. Knight for his patriotic and gracious attitude towards the Navy. I have the feeling Bush and all the other homophobes are gonna stay away from this one completely. Pace ain't gonna touch it either because of the heat he took when he made is bigoted comment a few weeks ago. Who knows? This entire policy may die a very quiet and quick death in the near future.
Posted by: Michael D | May 8, 2007 12:01:08 AM
Well, the hypocrisy of this entire "don't ask, don't tell" policy is definitely coming to the fore. I applaud Mr. Knight for his patriotic and gracious attitude towards the Navy. I have the feeling Bush and all the other homophobes are gonna stay away from this one completely. Pace ain't gonna touch it either because of the heat he took when he made is bigoted comment a few weeks ago. Who knows? This entire policy may die a very quiet and quick death in the near future.
Posted by: Michael D | May 8, 2007 12:03:22 AM
I don't know much about the navy, but a "Petty Officer" sounds somwhat hilarious lol.
Can someone explain to me what it is? Or maybe I can just wikipedia it.
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