There have been a lot of articles in the news lately about various acts our government is involved in that paint it in an unflattering light. The latest article I just read is what made me decide to write up a little blog entry about this. When I was growing up back in the '80s and early '90s, the soviet union was the enemy and we were always told how evil the communist governments were. We are told of all the lack of freedoms these people have to live with. We were told of all the evil things the communist governments did to their people. Now I'm no conspiracy theorist, but all the headlines lately have me wondering what the hell is going on with our own country.
The latest article is titled "U.S. Is Secretly Collecting Records of Verizon Calls". It goes on to state how the government is secretly carrying out a domestic surveillance program which collects communication records and data of thousands upon thousands of Americans. Apparently there is no regard to customer privacy as Verizon has just handed over everything asked for to the NSA.
We also saw in the headlines about how the I.R.S. targeting of conservative political groups. If groups included the words "tea party" or "patriot", they were additionally scrutinized. Believe me, I'm not a conservative nut or a left wing liberal. It amazes me that this government organization which should be neutral and focused on collecting taxes, was actually taking aim on conservative groups.
I was also shocked to find out that our government wiretapped the AP (Associated Press) in a witch hunt to find out information on a leaked story. There is much more going on such as indefinite detention and warrant-less searches, but I'm not going to keep going on and on about all this. The fact is that after the 9/11 attacks, everyone was scared and gave up a lot of their freedoms in hopes of better security. Now we are paying the price for it and it scares me a little. America likes to pass judgment on other countries when it comes to freedoms, but I think we need to spend a little more time focusing on ourselves for a while. Soon we will be no better off than those evil communist countries I grew up fearing.
It also reminded me of our old HHD commander's outgoing speech. Most of it was the normal fond memories and thank you to various folks, but at the end he reminded all the soldiers in the audience what we all swore to do "support and defend the constitution of the United States". He warned that we may be asked or commanded to do things that violate this oath by our superiors, but always remember the oath we took. It was a little strange at the time, but now I'm wondering what kind of future he saw coming.
You can check out the following articles I read before writing about this:
U.S. Is Secretly Collecting Records of Verizon Calls
IRS Apologizes for Targeting Tea Party Groups
AP Wiretap Assaults Core Values
10 Reasons The U.S. is No Longer the Land of the Free
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
House Panel Adopts Anti-gay Amendment to NDAA
Anti-religion, anti-gay measure adopted to NDAA in committee vote
Meanwhile, Robinson praises Ranking Member for Supporting Military Family Equality
(Washington, DC) Tonight, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) put forth by Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) that would compromise religious liberties of service members, erode the ability of military commanders to protect good order and discipline, and undermine the successful implementation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal.
“Religious liberty is a core American value, and we support the accommodation of all beliefs. What we can never support is legislation that sanctions one belief at the expense of others and places unit cohesion, the safety of our troops, and their ability to accomplish the mission in jeopardy, and that’s exactly what this bill would do,” said Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson, an ordained Baptist minister.
If enacted, the Fleming amendment would protect inappropriate, defamatory, and discriminatory speech and actions – a significant expansion of current protections for beliefs – and would leave commanders with no recourse against such prejudicial conduct when it occurs in their units. Robinson said today that the military already has in place adequate protections for religious freedom and that the measure is unwarranted.
“The military already has in place policies that adequately protect a service member’s personal beliefs while also protecting unit cohesion and good order and discipline. This amendment is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to sabotage the climate of inclusion and respect for all that our Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of Defense have called for in our military, and would create a license to bully, harass, and discriminate against service members based on religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any number of other characteristics,” said Robinson.
Robinson also said the measure would undermine the authority of military commanders.
“This amendment takes an authority this nation has entrusted to commanders in the field since its founding – the authority to exercise appropriate control over their troops’ ‘actions or speech’ to maintain good order and discipline – and puts it in the hands of politicians in Washington. As someone who has led soldiers in the field, I can tell you that is an untenable situation,” said Robinson.
In addition, during tonight’s debate, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member on HASC, introduced and withdrew key elements of the Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act (MSET) that would ensure equal benefits, recognition, and support for all military spouses.
“This important gesture is a reminder that the families of gay and lesbian service members are still not treated equally and that the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ did not impact that reality. Congressman Smith is a tenacious fighter for equality in our military and for our troops and we are grateful for all his work to that end,” said Robinson.
The Senate will begin debating its own version of the bill later this month.
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6500 members around the world It works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
Meanwhile, Robinson praises Ranking Member for Supporting Military Family Equality
(Washington, DC) Tonight, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) put forth by Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) that would compromise religious liberties of service members, erode the ability of military commanders to protect good order and discipline, and undermine the successful implementation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal.
“Religious liberty is a core American value, and we support the accommodation of all beliefs. What we can never support is legislation that sanctions one belief at the expense of others and places unit cohesion, the safety of our troops, and their ability to accomplish the mission in jeopardy, and that’s exactly what this bill would do,” said Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson, an ordained Baptist minister.
If enacted, the Fleming amendment would protect inappropriate, defamatory, and discriminatory speech and actions – a significant expansion of current protections for beliefs – and would leave commanders with no recourse against such prejudicial conduct when it occurs in their units. Robinson said today that the military already has in place adequate protections for religious freedom and that the measure is unwarranted.
“The military already has in place policies that adequately protect a service member’s personal beliefs while also protecting unit cohesion and good order and discipline. This amendment is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to sabotage the climate of inclusion and respect for all that our Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of Defense have called for in our military, and would create a license to bully, harass, and discriminate against service members based on religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any number of other characteristics,” said Robinson.
Robinson also said the measure would undermine the authority of military commanders.
“This amendment takes an authority this nation has entrusted to commanders in the field since its founding – the authority to exercise appropriate control over their troops’ ‘actions or speech’ to maintain good order and discipline – and puts it in the hands of politicians in Washington. As someone who has led soldiers in the field, I can tell you that is an untenable situation,” said Robinson.
In addition, during tonight’s debate, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member on HASC, introduced and withdrew key elements of the Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act (MSET) that would ensure equal benefits, recognition, and support for all military spouses.
“This important gesture is a reminder that the families of gay and lesbian service members are still not treated equally and that the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ did not impact that reality. Congressman Smith is a tenacious fighter for equality in our military and for our troops and we are grateful for all his work to that end,” said Robinson.
The Senate will begin debating its own version of the bill later this month.
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6500 members around the world It works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Statement on Pentagon LGBT Pride Memorandum
Department of Defense Honors LGBT Pride Month for Second Consecutive Year
Robinson: Changing laws is the easy part; changing culture takes much longer
(WASHINGTON, DC) In a memorandum dated May 31, 2013, and signed by Clarence Johnson, Director of the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, the Department of Defense has designated June as LGBT Pride Month for the second year in a row. Today, Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson praised Pentagon leadership for the action.
“It is appropriate and gratifying that Secretary Hagel and his leadership team would follow the historic precedent set last year by then-Secretary Leon Panetta by designating June as LGBT Pride Month for the Department of Defense. Acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members sends an important message all the way down the chain of command: that our military is stronger, and our nation safer, because it includes them,” said Robinson.
While acknowledging transgender civilian DOD employees, the memorandum notably omits any mention of the contributions of transgender people in uniform – presumably because transgender people remain barred from service by outdated and obsolete medical regulations. Robinson called out the omission.
“Transgender people have served this nation with pride, honor, and distinction – and continue to do so in the hundreds, if not thousands. It’s past time to honor them for their service and sacrifice, and past time to end the discredited and obsolete practice of forcing them to serve in silence and fear,” said Robinson.
OutServe-SLDN members and supporters will be participating in more than twenty LGBT Pride events around the world this summer.
About OutServe-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6500 members around the world It works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
Robinson: Changing laws is the easy part; changing culture takes much longer
(WASHINGTON, DC) In a memorandum dated May 31, 2013, and signed by Clarence Johnson, Director of the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, the Department of Defense has designated June as LGBT Pride Month for the second year in a row. Today, Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson praised Pentagon leadership for the action.
“It is appropriate and gratifying that Secretary Hagel and his leadership team would follow the historic precedent set last year by then-Secretary Leon Panetta by designating June as LGBT Pride Month for the Department of Defense. Acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members sends an important message all the way down the chain of command: that our military is stronger, and our nation safer, because it includes them,” said Robinson.
While acknowledging transgender civilian DOD employees, the memorandum notably omits any mention of the contributions of transgender people in uniform – presumably because transgender people remain barred from service by outdated and obsolete medical regulations. Robinson called out the omission.
“Transgender people have served this nation with pride, honor, and distinction – and continue to do so in the hundreds, if not thousands. It’s past time to honor them for their service and sacrifice, and past time to end the discredited and obsolete practice of forcing them to serve in silence and fear,” said Robinson.
OutServe-SLDN members and supporters will be participating in more than twenty LGBT Pride events around the world this summer.
About OutServe-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6500 members around the world It works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
What is Wrong with our Military and Sexual Assault?
During my time in the military I've gone through a lot of mandated training. A lot of this is training done just so the command can "check a box" and say that it was all done. Most of this mandated training is a joke. Nobody wants to be there and nobody really cares. I say most, because I have in fact attended a couple training briefs on various subjects where the instructor was energetic, got the people involved and really got their point across. With that said, these are few and far between. Most of the time the training involves a bunch of PowerPoint slides while someone with a monotone voice reads from each slide.
Lately the problem of sexual assault in the military has been in the headlines. When the problem first started to come to light, the military's solution (like their solution to many things) is to mandate more training. They throw a bunch of money at the problem, put up some posters and require even more training. This does absolutely nothing...nothing at all to fix the problem.
The last sexual assault training we had actually involved watching a movie. I was surprised that the army would actually have this movie as training because it really puts the military in a very negative light. The movie called "The Invisible War" is a documentary about various people who have been sexually assaulted in the military and how it has changed their lives. You can check out the trailer below:
Lately the problem of sexual assault in the military has been in the headlines. When the problem first started to come to light, the military's solution (like their solution to many things) is to mandate more training. They throw a bunch of money at the problem, put up some posters and require even more training. This does absolutely nothing...nothing at all to fix the problem.
The last sexual assault training we had actually involved watching a movie. I was surprised that the army would actually have this movie as training because it really puts the military in a very negative light. The movie called "The Invisible War" is a documentary about various people who have been sexually assaulted in the military and how it has changed their lives. You can check out the trailer below:
Making everyone watch this movie and then discuss it afterward was a step in the right direction. A lot more has to be done and most of it has to do with changing the culture of the military. When people do get sexually assaulted, the attacker needs to be prosecuted to the fullest. You know something is still very wrong when you read in the headlines that the "Air Force Officer In Charge of Sexual Assault Prevention Program, Arrested For Alleged Sexual Assault". (Check out the article here)
Hopefully the military will get it's act together and make positive changes to eliminate this kind of behavior. The solution is much more complex than more mandated "check the box" training and more promotional material above the urinals in the latrine.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Like an E6!
So I ran across this video shared by the US Army WTF Moments facebook page (if you haven't "liked" that page...do it, there is always some funny stuff and things that just make you shake your head getting posted there). If you have any experience in the army, you'll probably LOL at this remake. The reason it's funny is because there is a lot of truth to it unfortunately.
You can find another youtube video here that posts the lyrics....pretty funny stuff.
You can find another youtube video here that posts the lyrics....pretty funny stuff.
Essential Writing Gear for Outdoors
I know a little about wet conditions living in the pacific northwest. The drizzle seems to never end and the sunny days are few and far between. So you might say that I have a lot of experience when it comes to living in a wet environment. I forgot to keep this in mind when I decided to join the army and wanted to keep a journal of my daily life. (You can check it out by clicking on the "My Army Experience" link to the right). When I set out to do this, I took the usual supplies...lots of notepads and plenty of pens. Everything worked fine until we started doing FTXs (Field Training Exercises). I decided to buy a notepad from the folks at "Rite in the Rain" and it turned out to be freakin' awesome! You can purchase the notepad and just use a pencil, but I went with the whole package and purchased their pen as well.
For my use, their products worked great. I used them in the field for writing my journal every night, and I also used them to make notes when needed for whatever training we happened to be doing. While other folks had a lot of issues when it rained...I had no problems! I also read the reviews on the amazon site and people have found other great uses for these products as well. One of the more interesting was a guy who in a pinch used the paper from a notepad and made a funnel. This would not have worked with just normal paper. If you're planning on going on an FTX, camping, or just enjoy the outdoors, plan on taking some of these products with you!!
For my use, their products worked great. I used them in the field for writing my journal every night, and I also used them to make notes when needed for whatever training we happened to be doing. While other folks had a lot of issues when it rained...I had no problems! I also read the reviews on the amazon site and people have found other great uses for these products as well. One of the more interesting was a guy who in a pinch used the paper from a notepad and made a funnel. This would not have worked with just normal paper. If you're planning on going on an FTX, camping, or just enjoy the outdoors, plan on taking some of these products with you!!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Military Widow Details DOMA Harm; National Media Call Wednesday
New Video Details Harm Done By DOMA to Military Widow
National Media Conference Call Scheduled for Wednesday
(Washington, DC) Today Freedom to Marry and OutServe-SLDN released the latest video in their “Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry”series, featuring Karen Morgan, the widow of Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan of the New Hampshire National Guard. The video can be viewed here. Morgan will also be featured in a Respect for Marriage Coalition press call tomorrow of military officials, service members and advocacy group leaders on the financial inequality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA); call details are below.
CW2 Morgan succumbed to breast cancer in February after a five-year battle. Even though the Morgans were legally married in New Hampshire, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act doesn't allow the military to recognize Karen Morgan as her wife. Now, in the wake of her family’s loss, Morgan faces financial uncertainty amid her grief, because she is not eligible for survivorship benefits she needs to care for their 5-year-old daughter, Casey Elena.
"It's hard for me, as a parent, to explain the situation to my daughter, because she has no language for discrimination. She knows and is aware that I am not able to have a military identification card, I can't get onto base," Morgan says in the video. She ends by reiterating her promise to her wife: "I will see this fight against DOMA through to the end."
“Though more and more states do the right thing by ending marriage discrimination, the federal government continues to treat widows like Karen Morgan as second-class citizens because of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry. “As gay and lesbian soldiers risk their lives for our country every day, this disrespectful treatment of military families is a stain on our nation’s honor. Karen should be able to work through her grief like any other military spouse – instead of facing the added stress of worrying how to pay the bills. It’s time for Congress to stand up for fairness and dignity for our military families by overturning the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and passing the Respect for Marriage Act.”
"Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan was a courageous fighter for our country, for her family, and for the equality of all who wear the uniform of our nation. Today, her wife Karen carries on that fight, a fight no military spouse should ever have to wage. The time has come to end the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ensure equal recognition, benefits, and support for all loving and committed military couples and their families," said Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s ruling on DOMA’s denial of federal benefits to married couples who are gay, Morgan remains a plaintiff in OutServe-SLDN’s federal lawsuit,McLaughlin v. Panetta, challenging it in federal court.
Respect for Marriage Coalition Press Call:
WHAT:
Military officials, service members and advocacy group leaders participate in press conference call on the financial inequality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
WHO:
Patrick Murphy, Former Congressman, Army Captain, Iraq War Veteran and CAP Senior Fellow
Allyson Robinson, Executive Director, Outserve-SLDN
Karen Morgan, Widow of the late Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan
Ashley Broadway, Director of Family Affairs, American Military Partner Association
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. ET
DIAL IN INFORMATION:
Dial In: (855) 212-9067
Conference ID #: 75417987
###
ABOUT FREEDOM TO MARRY: Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. We are pursuing our Roadmap to Victory by working to win the freedom to marry in more states, grow the national majority for marriage, and end federal marriage discrimination. We partner with individuals and organizations across the country to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and the protections, responsibilities, and commitment that marriage brings.
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world. It works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
National Media Conference Call Scheduled for Wednesday
(Washington, DC) Today Freedom to Marry and OutServe-SLDN released the latest video in their “Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry”series, featuring Karen Morgan, the widow of Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan of the New Hampshire National Guard. The video can be viewed here. Morgan will also be featured in a Respect for Marriage Coalition press call tomorrow of military officials, service members and advocacy group leaders on the financial inequality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA); call details are below.
CW2 Morgan succumbed to breast cancer in February after a five-year battle. Even though the Morgans were legally married in New Hampshire, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act doesn't allow the military to recognize Karen Morgan as her wife. Now, in the wake of her family’s loss, Morgan faces financial uncertainty amid her grief, because she is not eligible for survivorship benefits she needs to care for their 5-year-old daughter, Casey Elena.
"It's hard for me, as a parent, to explain the situation to my daughter, because she has no language for discrimination. She knows and is aware that I am not able to have a military identification card, I can't get onto base," Morgan says in the video. She ends by reiterating her promise to her wife: "I will see this fight against DOMA through to the end."
“Though more and more states do the right thing by ending marriage discrimination, the federal government continues to treat widows like Karen Morgan as second-class citizens because of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry. “As gay and lesbian soldiers risk their lives for our country every day, this disrespectful treatment of military families is a stain on our nation’s honor. Karen should be able to work through her grief like any other military spouse – instead of facing the added stress of worrying how to pay the bills. It’s time for Congress to stand up for fairness and dignity for our military families by overturning the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and passing the Respect for Marriage Act.”
"Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan was a courageous fighter for our country, for her family, and for the equality of all who wear the uniform of our nation. Today, her wife Karen carries on that fight, a fight no military spouse should ever have to wage. The time has come to end the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ensure equal recognition, benefits, and support for all loving and committed military couples and their families," said Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s ruling on DOMA’s denial of federal benefits to married couples who are gay, Morgan remains a plaintiff in OutServe-SLDN’s federal lawsuit,McLaughlin v. Panetta, challenging it in federal court.
Respect for Marriage Coalition Press Call:
WHAT:
Military officials, service members and advocacy group leaders participate in press conference call on the financial inequality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
WHO:
Patrick Murphy, Former Congressman, Army Captain, Iraq War Veteran and CAP Senior Fellow
Allyson Robinson, Executive Director, Outserve-SLDN
Karen Morgan, Widow of the late Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan
Ashley Broadway, Director of Family Affairs, American Military Partner Association
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. ET
DIAL IN INFORMATION:
Dial In: (855) 212-9067
Conference ID #: 75417987
###
ABOUT FREEDOM TO MARRY: Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. We are pursuing our Roadmap to Victory by working to win the freedom to marry in more states, grow the national majority for marriage, and end federal marriage discrimination. We partner with individuals and organizations across the country to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and the protections, responsibilities, and commitment that marriage brings.
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world. It works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
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