Читать книгу Gays In The Military - Vincent Cianni - Страница 5

Dear Sir:

I am appealing the recommendations made by the Review Boards Office at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, whereby they recommend denying my request for issuance of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. I base my appeal on the following:

Criteria:” The medal is to be awarded to Air Force enlisted personnel during a three-year period of active military service OR for a one-year period of service during a time of war. Airmen awarded this medal must have had character and efficiency ratings of excellent or higher through the qualifying period including time spent in attendance at service schools. There must have been no convictions of court martial during this period.”

The Review Awards Office fails to recognize the alternative period of one year war time service for which I qualify. Unless the Review Awards Office fails to recognize Vietnam as a war in direct contradiction to numerous other U.S. Agencies, then the applicant qualifies as for the required time period.

My first two years of active duty with the USAF were so successful that I was nominated by my Commanding Officer with concurrence from the Wing Commander, to assume duties as a bodyguard for Lt. General Pitts, Commanding General for the Strategic Air Command, and his Vice-Commander. I came in second in the selection process and was not selected. All of my APR’s were of the highest caliber as the previously sent official communication serves to prove. (See the record)

Please note that this action took place well after the completion of my first two years of outstanding service during war time. When I said that being in the Air Force would lead to my acting out on my sexuality, I was made the Wing NCOIC for two bases for equal opportunity; a position I served in until my discharge. Ironically, it was during this period that other Airmen called the hotline on base and talked about being gay because word has spread that I was leaving and why. I personally prevented at least two suicides that were being contemplated and can be verified in official records maintained at the base for that time period.

The ban on gay and bi-sexual men was wrong then and is just as wrong now which is why DADT was finally overthrown as an regulation of mental repression. The ban on gay and bi-sexual men did nothing but create potential mental health issues with armed men who were entrusted with the security of nuclear weapons.

At no time, was I ever a discredit to the USAF. In fact, the Wing Commander at RAF Bentwaters in England, was going to assign me as his aid because of his promotion to the rank of General. I cannot tell you how much I resent the classification by the “Review Boards Office,” of my service to this country in the Air Force not to mention my honorable service in the United States Navy prior to my entrance into the USAF, as having been “marred.” If the ban on gay and bi-sexual men had not been in place, I would have retired from the Air Force.

I request again, that the Good Conduct Medal be awarded as earned under the provisions outlined above. If this request is further denied, I intend to take this issue national and make it political.

Respectfully,

Bruce Simpson

264 East Main St.

Wilkes Barre, PA 18705