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Author Archives Pepe

I joined the Army in 1999 and headed to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for One-Station Unit Training (OSUT = Basic + AIT) in January 2000. I remained at Fort Sill following training where I was assigned to 2d Battalion, 2d Field Artillery.

In 2001 I was selected as the Soldier of the Year for the United States Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill. Later that year I was promoted to Sergeant (E-5) in Alpha Battery. I served as the driver for the battalion commander and command sergeant major, gunner, assistant chief of section, along with a variety of additional duties.

In 2002 I presented a statement to my battery commander acknowledging my sexual orientation. Following my declaration I received an honorable discharge and have dedicated myself to seeing Don’t ask, Don’t tell repealed.

Many people have asked my why I presented a statement to my commander with full knowledge it would lead to my discharge. It is a difficult question to answer simply so that others may understand. Perhaps the simplest, most direct answer revolves around the idea of Integrity. With that in mind, and the help of friends, I have started this website, IntegrityInService.org.

Obama States the Obvious

Senator Barack Obama was interviewed recently by Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News. Here’s the part where he talks about Don’t ask, Don’t tell:

PGN: The current President Bush has used signing orders to change military rules and regulations. If White House counsel advised you that you could end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by attaching […]

Posted 19 September 2008 § Don't ask, Don't tell § Democrats § Politicians & Political Parties ‡ Comments (1)

From Military.com: Big Changes in Store for Air Force

September 17, 2008
by Colin Clark

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz delivered an hour-long address to the Air Force Association today that will probably be remembered as a landmark in the remaking of the service.
The most enduring comments for the service will probably be those addressing the issue of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in […]

Posted 19 September 2008 § US Air Force ‡ Comments (0)

Soldier in Iraq held in deaths of 2 unit members

It’s always disturbing to hear about deaths from friendly fire. In this incident, we can only speculate on what was going through the soldier’s mind when he decided to open fire on his comrades. Here’s the article in it’s entirety:

RUSS BYNUM, Associated Press Writer

A soldier was detained in Iraq after he allegedly opened fire on […]

Posted 18 September 2008 § US Army ‡ Comments (0)

Libertarians Seek to Remove Democrats and Republicans from Texas Ballot

Atlanta, GA - Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party’s nominee for president, has filed a lawsuit in Texas demanding Senators John McCain and Barack Obama be removed from the ballot after they missed the official filing deadline.
 
“The seriousness of this issue is self-evident,” the lawsuit states. “The hubris of the major parties has risen to such […]

Posted 17 September 2008 § Republicans § Texas § Libertarians § Democrats § Politicians & Political Parties ‡ Comments (0)

Free Speech: Italy vs. the United States

One of the difficulties of living a truly free society is that people get to say and do stupid things and we can’t stop them. I think it’s kind of ignorant and insulting to burn the American flag, but the Supreme Court ruled it was an act of “speech” and that our Bill of Rights […]

Posted 12 September 2008 § Integrity § Political Ideas & Theories ‡ Comments (0)