Gay RN in the Air Force

[RNDFS]

I have a few questions for anyone with experience in the Air Force as a healthcare professional.

I have been strongly considering joing the Air Force as a RN. I have been filling out the myriad of forms required by my recruiter. I am pretty excited about all of the opportunities that the Air Force has to offer, however, I am left with questions about how being a gay man in the Air Force will affect my life. People usually do not pick up on the fact that I am gay, I have been told that my voice and mannerisms do not suggest a different sexual orientation. This still leaves me to worry about how serious the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is for Officers in healthcare settings. I have been told that investigations would be performed if I was suspected of being gay, and that this could ultimately lead to being discharged. Any Advice would be great!

Much Appreciative,

RNDFS

[caliotter3]

Take the normal precautions you would take if you were keeping this information to yourself in civilian life. In other words, just keep what goes on in your bedroom, in your bedroom. I was in the military and knew of many gay women who had no problems. They even lived together and no one in the military bothered them.

[Moogie]

My husband is a 28-year Army veteran and, as a chaplain, he has seen many military men and women discharged because of their sexual orientation. He finds DADT to be quite offensive and thinks gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve and be open about their sexual orientation. Since the military is considering ending DADT, my suggestion to you is to wait until it's gone and you are allowed to serve openly.

Ironically, many of the enlisted personnel and officers who have been discharged under DADT have been interpreters who have been fluent in Arabic languages and thus were of great value to the military during the Iraq war. If the military is willing to persecute these very valuable men and women, they will not hesitate to go after a gay Air Force nurse.

I hope DADT is repealed soon because it's utter nonsense and has hurt the military careers of many bright, capable men and women who have wanted to serve their country. Good luck to you in your future career!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

It's quite serious, and I think it stinks - and by saying so given that I'm currently an officer in the AF I'm sure I'm really bending the rules, but I can't help it. I had a friend the other day say she'd rather be right than politically correct, and I agree.

Keep an eye on the upcoming policy changes. I personally would be proud to serve with you - as proud as I am to serve with ANYONE.