DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL IN THE POST-9/11 WORLD - A Forum with Recent Veterans
| Date/Time: | Thursday, 09 Mar 2006 at 7:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Location: | Campanile Room, Memorial Union |
| Cost: | Free |
| Contact: | |
| Phone: | 515-294-9934 |
| Channel: | Lecture Series |
| Categories: | Lectures |
| Actions: | Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder |
Call to Duty Tour was conceived as a way to expose mainstream Americans to a representative sample of the ordinary gay service members who are largely forgotten amid the politics surrounding the DADT law. These patriotic men and women would rather be serving their country as soldiers, sailors, coastguardsmen, airmen and marines than focusing on activism. However, the veterans on the Call To Duty Tour, both gay and straight, feel that gay men and women are too often misrepresented in the media and in society at large. Most importantly, their experiences while serving in today's military largely contradict the presumptions underlying the DADT policy - presumptions which are now nearly 15 years old. While many have tried to quietly serve their country with pride and dignity, they have nevertheless experienced first hand the manner in which DADT prevents them from doing so and needlessly denies critical talent to our nation's military. Their voices need to be heard. Their stories need to be told. It is their real-world experiences that matter most in the debate about the merits of DADT.
Why Now?
The past year has seen monumental strides on all fronts in the movement to lift the ban on gays serving openly in the military. Log Cabin Republicans and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network have initiated two historic legal challenges in federal court to attack the constitutionality of the DADT policy. Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA) and over 100 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a bill, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, to repeal the law that mandates the ban. The military's mounting recruiting and retention problems have risen to national attention, and new data have shown that the American public now favors lifting the ban. The Call To Duty Tour will serve to help introduce audiences to the arguments and issues involved in the debate, and to continue the current wave of momentum toward lifting the ban.
Jarrod Chlapowski, Army
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.
Alexander Nicholson, Army
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.
Patrick English, Army
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.