Anonymous Servicemember

This decorated Midwesterner is the embodiment of a Marine Corps recruiting poster. Standing  proud with a high-and-tight, a chest full of ribbons and two combat tours under his belt, he is also the epitome of the classic over-achiever. But despite his accomplishments, this Marine also presents a perfect example of  the psychological harm and undue stress that the DADT policy puts upon LGBT service members. Though he has risked life and limb daily in service for his country, he is not able to fully take advantage of his medical benefits when he returned from abroad. Like many others living in the closet, this Marine was apprehensive about seeking help in dealing with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Instead he was made to suffer in silence for fear that any personal information given to military counselors would be used against him. As the saying goes, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is alive and well” in the VA. But due to the selective adherence of DADT,  he had to be extremely cautious about who he confided in. “Thankfully,I had a solid support system at home. I had a partner who was understanding and caring, and without him, I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done.” While most military members are given unlimited access to mental health information, financial counseling and commissary/exchange  privileges for them and their families, for gay and lesbian members, these options are often unavailable. Even greater is the loss of camaraderie between those in the closet and their fellow service members, “The bond and trust that you share with your peers is diluted because you never know who you can trust. You can’t let people into your life even if you want to.”