The Veteran Thread

[Wolfsong]

Originally Posted by Dykea

I don't think people really understand how hard it was back then... and that the overturn of DADT was just the "Patriotic" thing to do, instead of lesbian/gay rights.

SAME EXACT thing happened w/POC in the Services. It had NOTHING to do w/equality - it was about patriotism.

I've said this for nearly 2decades that it always has a major start in the Armed Services tho.... and I was right.

What we all went through was actually quite traumatic and GOD KNOWS we know how many people who were investigated, Masted/Court Martialed and fucking DISCHARGED!

ESPECIALLY WOMEN!!! Women in all the Services were discharged at a MUCH HIGHER percentage rate then male homosexuals. No one KNOWS THIS tho because the majority of images/stories are of gay males. People don't "empathize" w/lesbians in the Military. We are a old joke.

Women were ONLY 8 to 10 percent of the entire military back then!!

Women in the Armed Services have NOT had an easy route and no one knows the stories... because know one really cares to hear them.

Women's History... again erased and ignored.

Oh but see that's the whole thing. I went to basic in 1982 and they suspected that ALL OF US were gay. Why else would a woman want to join the military right? Unless we wanted to be a man? *Snort......what rubbish.

I was only ever confronted 1 time in 20 years and that was by some drunken sergeants from my own unit in a bar. They figured either I was sleeping with my best friend (a male lieutenant who was the platoon leader of another platoon) or a lesbian. I remember saying to them, "Oh brother you boys don't give me many options. I'm either banging H***** or a lesbian. Isn't there an option to join a convent?" and laughed it off. They persisted awhile until I got mad and reminded them either on or off duty - I was an officer in the United States Army, and, unless they wanted to find themselves missing a stripe they'd knock it off and, if nothing else, respect the rank. They came around the next day with their hats in their hands, hung over as a mother, and very apologetic.

[theoddz]

We've come a looooooong way, baby!!!

From this:



To this:



The baton has been well passed.

Semper Fi,

~Theo~

[JAGG]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEMPER FI DEVIL DOGS !!!!!!!!!

[theoddz]

Happy 238th birthday, Marines!!!



Semper Fidelis,
~Theo~

[TruTexan]

Thanks for serving OUR country to each and every one of you.

[traumaqueen]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-l...b_4585458.html

Good read, not sure how to post the actual article here.

[Tommi]

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has announced an Open Enrollment Window for the DoD Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) for same sex couples.

Military Retirees who were married to a same-sex spouse on or before June 26, 2013, may now have spouse coverage in the SBP. Depending on the retiree?s circumstances, enrollment for their spouse may be automatic or the retiree may need to elect spouse coverage. Either way, retirees MUST ACT by June 25, 2014 to participate in the SBP Open Enrollment Window.

The DFAS announcement encourages Military Retirees with same-sex spouses to visit http://go.usa.gov/Ww6x<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgo.usa.gov%2FWw6x&h=IAQE1kxwf &s=1> as soon as possible for more information to learn what steps are to be taken by June 25, 2014 to secure or decline the SBP benefit for their spouse. (NOTE: The above link takes you to the DFAS website that discusses the general topic of SBP and making the election. (See: http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/provide/sbp.html<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dfas.mil%2Fretiredmilitar y%2Fprovide%2Fsbp.html&h=-AQE0Ou-E&s=1> ) There are other links to websites with information about who is eligible, costs, and the procedures.)

Although it is not discussed in the DFAS announcement, same-sex ?former spouses? would also be eligible for court awarded Former Spouse SBP coverage in the event of a divorce or dissolution of a same-sex marriage