So being gay & wanting to join the army/airforce

[KyleWells]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

A lot of my family has been in the army and the navy. If you really do believe in fighting for your country than I say go for it. But remember, you're risking your life on a country that doesn't even support who you are.

 

[Aaron]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

Granted, the Canadian Forces is a lot more accepting than the American military, to put it mildly; I am a member of the CF and I have experienced no problems at all.

If you want to join the military, be educated before you sign on the dotted line.

I'm probably the minority for saying this here, but serving one's country is one of the highest callings that a person can answer.

 

[terry751]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

A lot of my family has been in the army and the navy. If you really do believe in fighting for your country than I say go for it. But remember, you're risking your life on a country that doesn't even support who you are.

I couldn't agree more. I'm not saying that this should discourage young people from joining but I think they have to be realistic about the obstacles they may face if they join. Personally, if a gay person is going to join military, he/she should keep their sexual orientation private, at least for the first two or three years until there is someone they can trust. I've known a couple of service members and they really seem to like their job. But they said they'd be lying if they said that they didn't have any problems regarding their sexual orientation. That's just the way it is I guess.

 

[BabiGayPimp]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

I sympathize with and support GLBT in the armed forces who have no choice by to make do as best they can until they can get out under honorable terms or make retirement. But if you are GBLT and are not already in the armed forces, but contemplating it, I would say: Keep your faggot ass out of harms way! And I don't mean harm from the enemy, I mean harm from your comrades, who will show you no loyalty in the end. They will use you, abuse you, blame you, and get rid of you at their convenience. They just threw a bunch of us out a few days ago. Like the song says: "You've got to serve somebody..." But I wouldn't serve anybody that didn't serve me in return.

 

[Rex]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

I'm enlisting in the Airforce and should be leaving for BT by August.

To me, not being open about my sexuality is not a huge concern because I'm not open about it in the civilian world.

 

[ncboy85]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

I have a friend in the Air Force, and he says they don't care what you do in your free time, as long as you don't go around talking about it and as long as you do your job well. They truly implement "don't ask, don't tell." What you do in your time off is your business, as long as you do your job that they assign you to. They don't go around "hunting" out the gays, according to him.

I've heard this from others too and really hope this is the case in all the branches as I am considering joining. I've never come out in the first place (or even been with a guy) so it may be easier for me in that regard but I'm at the point in life where I'm ready to so 4 more years in the closet just seems like a waste to me in a way.
But going into the service is a huge life opportunity for me right now (could go in as an officer) as I'm not getting anywhere in my job search in the current economy even with a college degree and could pick up some great skills there.

 

[Rex]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

I've heard this from others too and really hope this is the case in all the branches as I am considering joining. I've never come out in the first place (or even been with a guy) so it may be easier for me in that regard but I'm at the point in life where I'm ready to so 4 more years in the closet just seems like a waste to me in a way.
But going into the service is a huge life opportunity for me right now (could go in as an officer) as I'm not getting anywhere in my job search in the current economy even with a college degree and could pick up some great skills there.

It all depends on your unit.

I've heard some crazy stories of homophobes who go as far as flirting with a guy to get him to reveal that he's gay and then getting him discharged and worse things.

I've heard there are lots of gays in the military or guys who experiment atleast so I'm not sure what to make of it. On one hand it's homophobic but on the other hand some people make it out like it's a big sex orgy or something.

Just be careful.

 

[BabiGayPimp]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

I'm enlisting in the Airforce and should be leaving for BT by August.

To me, not being open about my sexuality is not a huge concern because I'm not open about it in the civilian world.

It should be a huge concern because life can deal you a wild card sometimes and you could be exposed when you least expect it. I was "outed" once in public by a total stranger who "read" me out loud like a book. One of the few times in my life I was totally speechless. Everybody, and I mean err-bodyyy knew the truth in that moment. I nearly dropped. I couldn't imagine someone willingly placing themself in a situation where someone, anyone has the power to ruin their life and career with a finger-snap. It could be a jealous ex-lover, or maybe someone who doesn't like your style. You never know who could do you in. And when that happens, your unit will throw you to the wolves.

 

[Pushover]

Re: So being gay & wanting to join the army/airfor

....

It's a major fuck up, in my opinion. If you want to, fine, go ahead. You just have to lie and pretend you're not gay in order to do it.