30 Days of Pride!

June 9: SGT Pepe Johnson and MC1(SW) Jeremy Johnson

Discharged unjustly under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT).   Leaders in the fight to repeal the law.  Now, two members of SLDN's Military Advisory Council are serving their country in uniform again.  Today, we meet SGT Pepe Johnson and MC1(SW) Jeremy Johnson, shining examples of gay service members, wearing the uniform of our nation with honor and distinction.  
 
Originally from Clarksburg, West Virginia, SGT Pepe Johnson was discharged under DADT in 2003 after three years in the Army. A 1999 graduate of Fairmont State College,  he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Sergeant Johnson served as a field artilleryman at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, from 2000 until 2003 and was selected as Fort Sill's Soldier of the Year in 2001. After his discharge, Johnson shared his story in attempt to gain support for repeal and also worked at the Human Rights Campaign as a clergy call coordinator. In October 2011, one month after the repeal of DADT, SGT Johnson returned to the Army.

MC1(SW) Jeremy Johnson was discharged in 2007, also under DADT after serving 10 years as an active duty journalist in the United States Navy. After his discharge he joined the team at the Palm Center, a think-tank at the University of California that specializes in research in the areas of gender, sexuality, and the military. Currently, Johnson is pursuing a degree in sociology at the University of Maryland, but also works with The 6th Branch in Baltimore City, MD, as a board member and primary team member on their "Operation: Oliver" veteran-sponsored community project.  On September 22, 2011, Johnson became the first DADT dischargee in the nation to publicly re-enlist in the military, joining the U.S. Navy Reserves at the same rank and position he left. Aside from the Military Advisory council, Johnson also serves as a co-lead for the DC chapter of OutServe.

Today, SLDN salutes these brave patriots.