Knight, Jason, former Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class (2001-2005, 2006-2007)

I grew up in southeast Pennsylvania. After my parents split up when I was 5, I lived with my mom for a while before going to foster care. After a few years, my two brothers and I went to live with our estranged father.

I tried college for a semester or two, but could no longer afford it. I soon found myself in a Navy recruiter's office. I began boot camp in April 2001.

I loved my naval career. I spent two years in the Ceremonial Guard in Washington, DC where I fired on over 2500 full and standard honors funerals, over 250 change of commands and several hundred retirements. I then went off to DLI in Monterey and learned Hebrew. Soon afterwards, I was sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia where I used my skills as a military linguist.

It was February 2005 in Georgia when I came out to my command, explaining the reason why I was turning in annulment paperwork for my recent marriage. Thinking I was keeping with the Navy core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, I told the truth.

That truth led to my discharge from the Navy in April 2005. However, because of a clerical error, my paperwork never made it to my record and a year later I was recalled to active duty service.

In July of 2006 I deployed to Kuwait with Customs Battalion Romeo. Answering the call to duty, I went, but I went openly. I told myself I would never again hide who I was, live a lie, or lie to anyone about who I really was. Surprisingly, this was not an issue to my shipmates and my supervisors. I worked as an openly gay sailor.

After General Pace's comments printed in the Stars and Stripes newspaper, I was angry and felt compelled to write to the paper. Not thinking they would even print my letter, I was surprised when the paper decided to do a story on me.

I completed my tour in Kuwait in April of 2007 and came home. The Stars & Stripes story was published and because of it, the Navy decided to discharge me, yet again, under its discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.

Now, I feel I have a voice. One to be heard on behalf of those who can not speak. A voice that will hopefully be heard and help end the ban against gay and lesbian Americans in the military.