Jarrod enlisted in the Army in 2000 and trained as a Korean linguist at the Defense Language Institute and Goodfellow Air Force Base, finishing second in his class. He worked as an interpreter and translator in Korea supporting the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion on more than 300 Sensitive Reconnaissance Operation missions. Jarrod came to terms with his sexuality after joining the Army; after coming out within his unit, he experienced widespread acceptance by his peers. He was awarded both the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Commendation Medal during his time in the Army; however, Jarrod chose not to re-enlist because of the burden of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
Alex enlisted in the Army in 2001 and trained as a human intelligence collector. When a fellow service member learned of his sexuality, the secret was used by some as a coercive tool to force him to tolerate harassment. Although he at first accepted the situation as an additional sacrifice that gay men and women must make to serve their country, Alex later submitted to discharge proceedings. He is a National Security Education Program Scholar, has since resided in the Middle East, learned Arabic as a fourth language, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations.
Fred enlisted in the Army in 1991 as an Infantryman. While serving in Somalia, Fred was a part of the rescue team depicted in the movie Black Hawk Down. After rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant, Fred left active duty for college, and was subsequently commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2002. As an officer, his missions supported both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Fred was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was unable to answer many of his counselor's questions because of the DADT policy. Fred was medically discharged in 2004 for an injury received during training.
Pepe is a native of Clarksburg, West Virginia and entered onto active duty in January
2000 to train as a cannonball crewmember. Pepe was named the 2001 Post Soldier of the Year while stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, which helped expedite his promotion to sergeant that same year. However, although he fully intended to make the military his career, Pepe witnessed an environment of constant unnecessary harassment of gays by his superiors in the Army.Though his own peers and subordinates supported him, Pepe was honorably discharged under the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in 2003. Pepe is now living in Dallas, Texas finishing a Master's in Political Science.
Patrick enlisted in the Army in 2000 and trained as a Korean linguist at the Defense Language Institute. He worked in a tactical unit in South Korea, providing intelligence support to the 2nd Infantry Division, stationed near the Demilitarized Zone. After transferring to Ft. Lewis, Washington, Patrick deployed to Iraq where he performed logistics and intelligence analysis missions, his actions directly resulting in the capture of over 75 insurgents. During his time in the service, Patrick was openly gay to numerous peers, receiving a positive response the entire time. Patrick's service earned him the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Combat Action Badge.
Tim enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2001 and was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC as a Logistics and Embarkation Specialist. Tim served throughout Southeast Asia and parts of Europe, earning several letters of commendation and the Good Conduct Medal. During a pre-Iraq training deployment, he was outed to his command by a local minister, who had obtained a copy of his online profile from a parishioner. Although he had intended to make the Marine Corps his career, Tim and was discharged in 2005. He is currently living near Memphis, TN while finishing his undergraduate degree.
John enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 1999. Having been trained as a Communications Specialist, John was a part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit for three years and deployed on two tours to the Mediterranean. While in the Marine Corps, John earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 star, and the Kosovo Campaign Medal, among other awards. After deploying to Iraq for 9 months during his second Mediterranean tour, John reluctantly opted not to reenlist, as the risk of suddenly and arbitrarily losing his job under DADT was becoming too heavy a burden.
Heather enlisted in the Air Force in 2000 and trained as a Russian linguist. She finished 2nd in her class at the Goodfellow Air Force Base and qualified for the Volunteer Service Medal while working at Lackland Air Force Base as a cryptologic linguist. After reporting sexual harassment up an apathetic chain of command, Heather requested to be reassigned. Her request was denied. She was subsequently sent to a counselor, with whom she was forbidden to talk about the nature of her harassment because of the requirements of the DADT policy. After going back to her command and threatening to talk to the Inspector General, Heather was discharged for being a lesbian on the 10th anniversary of the establishment of DADT.