When I started my service in the Army in the late 1980’s, I had known for some time that something was different about me. I had spent my entire life hiding much of whom I was and even though I had many friends and was active in university and civic activities, I held tight to that personal secret. Maybe they knew, maybe they didn’t, but my fellow ROTC cadets and later, fellow soldiers, never spoke to me about it and I never revealed. This is not a new story and has been played out over and over again by countless service members. What I did know at that time, like so many others, is that I would have done whatever it took to serve my country, even if it meant remaining closeted.
The military leads in many ways for our society, from advances in telemedicine to cyber security. At the same time, we have lagged behind on others issues, like gay and lesbian rights. I experienced this first hand as a senior political appointee in the Army that had to implement the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy in 1994. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially not knowing how it would unfold.
{mosads}Over the years, society progressed and companies created gay-friendly environments. Until just five years ago, however, the Department of Defense held on to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It could also be said that the department has lagged in other areas, like creating opportunities for women, but in both of these cases, we have followed society and now are removing barriers and creating opportunities and a more inclusive force.
Secretary Ash Carter is leading the way in tearing down these barriers and creating more opportunities for those who serve and those who want to serve. He often speaks to the importance of “fishing in new ponds” for our future service members and has led the department in creating an environment that will result in a military that is more reflective of our citizenry than in the past. That is the right thing to do for service members, and for national security. Simply put, fielding the best talent America has to offer is too important to turn away people with the ability and willingness to serve.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Human Rights Campaign Gala in Washington, D.C. I was thrilled and pleasantly surprised by the large number of corporations that were leading the way in LGBTQ rights, not only in their promotion of the issue externally, but in their corporate policies. I heard from defense companies, aviation and technology leaders that described how they have created policies that go beyond “zero-tolerance” and established celebratory actions that promote diversity and gender. My first thought was, “what can we do to be more like them?” Then I remembered that it is ok if we, the DoD, don’t always lead the way, and instead follow the good examples and continue the path of progress that will be of benefit to the men and women who wear the uniform.
Sometimes change is an iterative process. That is how we become more reflective of the society that we serve, while preserving the history and structure that makes us the world’s greatest fighting force.
The DoD has begun paving the way for a more inclusive force. Let us celebrate the changes that have been made and continue the hard work to remove barriers and create opportunities for a new generation of altruistic members in service. Whether it is furthering LGBTQ equality, opening combat positions for women or opening doors to reserve service, DoD in most cases will lead, and in others, it may follow the high standards of our industry partners – and that’s okay.
As for me, I am proud of the work of the secretary and the department. I have quietly taken my place in the growing list of gay service members and decorated combat veterans. And I am proud to serve as a presidential appointee in an administration and under a secretary of defense who are not afraid to sometimes follow the lead of our civilian industry as we march toward progress.
Assistant Secretary of Defense Todd Weiler (Manpower & Reserve Affairs), is the highest-ranking openly-gay DoD official who is also a decorated combat veteran of Operations Desert Shield/Storm, serving as an attack helicopter pilot and participating in the largest air assault operation in history.
The views expressed by authors are their own and not the views of The Hill.