deposits

Sir,

I am one greatly inspired by your service, not only to your great state of Ohio, but also to this nation of ours. I congratulate you and your party in your victory and I have full faith that you will strive to bringing balance and accountability to DC.

Like you, I have a great desire to be a positive and contributing citizen to the United States. However, this desire to serve is hampered by the current policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. On September 11th, 2001, at the age of 13 I knew that is was my duty to do as my father had done before me and his father before him - enlist. I served from 2006 until 2008 as an Airborne Russian Linguist in the United States Air Force until a third-party outed me to my command.

Integrity first, this is the first of three core values instilled into and expected from every Airman. It was living up to this core value that cost me my military career. The process of being questioned by your commander and supervisors about your personal off-base activities and relationships is an incredibly invasive, demoralizing and stressful one. Depression sets in and you hope that all the nineteen-hour days you put in, volunteer events you helped organize and execute, all the extra duty you took upon yourself will reflect more about who you are as an Airman than the small fact you are dating a civilian of the same gender.

The Air Force has a strict no harassment policy. However due to DADT, those who are being questioned by their peers about their sexuality can find it disastrous to seek help from a supervisor or chaplain. By seeking counsel, a service member can inadvertently “out” themselves resulting in the termination of their career. Recently, I learned about the death of a friend serving in the US Air Force as an Arabic linguist. Feeling threatened by the prospect of such an investigation and the probable termination of his military career, he decided to take his own life. His journal revealed the name of a fellow linguist from his squadron who is currently pending discharge for homosexual conduct.

DADT is a destructive policy not only to the Armed Forces but also this nation. It is a policy which tells gays and lesbians currently serving, or who have a desire to serve, that no matter how qualified they may be or how hard they may work: uncertainty will mark their military career. It is a policy that creates division among our soldiers rather than uniting them. The repeal of DADT would be our both our military and our nation’s latest step towards perfecting tolerance and equality. One’s ability to serve should not be determined by their sexual orientation, but rather - their dedication, honor, integrity and leadership.

My grandfather served in a segregated military. My father grew up in a segregated America. From their struggles for equality I have benefited greatly and it is with their strength and courage behind me that I implore you to take a stand on the right side of history. Help end this policy despite you personal beliefs concerning homosexuality so that our nation can move forward in fulfilling those three golden promises that make America unique in this world.

I hope that with your help I can again serve in our armed forces as a commissioned officer.

My future is in your hands.

I salute you for your service,

A1C Joshua Christopher Harvey
Veteran, USAF