Mr. Daniel Ray Glenn - California - Gay
USRA - Jan 25 1986-Sep 01 2002 - E5
Military nick: Glenn
self-identified in service: Questioning
Out since: Mar 2001 - Coming Out: 10
honors & citations: Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Aircraft Crewman Badge, 4 Army Achievement
Medals, and 2 Letters of Commendation.
Bio: I enjoyed my military service immensely. Three years active duty, four years IRR, five years Army
Reserve, and four years CA Army National Guard.
I was well liked and respected by those in command over me, by my peers, and lower enlisted soldiers. I kept
pretty much to myself and was very much closeted, even to myself. Finally, in March of 2001, at age 39, after
completing college, I came out, first to myself, and then to family and friends. For over a year I continued
to hide my sexual identity from the Army. I had had many years of depression while in the closet that I seemed
to have managed pretty well on my own. Coming out lifted a great psychological burden in my life and made me
a better soldier, I feel, but after every weekend drill I would be depressed for three to four days. After a
year of this cycle of depression I decided to come out to my commanding officer during our two week AT period.
I was immediately separated from the company "for my own safety" and told I was unfit for duty; however,
before leaving I was allowed to inform my section why I was being discharged from the Army. That was a very
positive experience. Everyone in my section was stunned, yet very supportive.
My section sergeant, upon my request, completed a letter of character on my behalf that was included in my discharge
packet and I later received a general discharge under honorable conditions. What gets me the most about my coming
out to the Army is that the Army for three years kept pushing me to rise in the ranks. E6 and above promotions
did not come easily in my branch of the service, aviation, and to be selected for promotion was a very big deal;
however, I continually insisted that I wanted to complete my college degree before taking an advancement, which
they regretfully accepted. Then, because of three words ["I am gay”] I suddenly was unfit for duty.
Just like that. It took me about a year to emotionally get over the loss of my part-time military job and the
rejection I felt from the Army after fifteen years of service, but to this day I am proud of the personal courage
that I demonstrated that day.
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