The U.S. military has its first openly gay flag officer with the promotion of Tammy Smith to the rank of Army brigadier general on Friday.
Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith
Smith received her stars in a private ceremony at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, according to a press release from the Service Members Legal Defense Network, an organization promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the U.S. military.
Friday was also the first day she publicly acknowledged her sexuality, according to a report from Stars and Stripes, and that acknowledgement comes less than a year after the military ended the "don't ask, don't tell" policy under which an active-duty service member faced punishment or discharge if he or she admitted being homosexual.
“I don’t think I need to be focused on that," Stripes quoted Smith as saying. "What is relevant is upholding Army values and the responsibility this carries.”
Smith is serving as deputy chief at the Office of the Chief at the Army Reserve in Washington. She is a 26-year veteran of the Army and has served in Afghanistan, Panama and Costa Rica as well as stateside assignments.
“It is indeed a new era in America’s military when our most accomplished leaders are able to recognize who they are and serve the country they love at the same time," Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network said in a statement.
Smith's spouse is Tracey Hepner, director of operations for the Military Partners and Families Coaliton, an advocacy and support organization for LGBT members of the military.
Hepner presented Smith with her stars at Friday's ceremony.
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I dont care if your gay or not,it doesnt bother me but can you believe the jokes his soldiers will tell theyll be the really happy divison
good for her
Congrats General Smith! Well done soldier! Hoo Rah!
Good for him.
She's not gay. She's a lesbian.
She got a Star not Stars, she is a one star general please learn about what you are to report, that is what is so wrong with America, no more civics taught in schools and fools like this reporter says what he thinks and there is no editior to fact check the article so the dumb continue to become more dumb.
the promotion is called "getting your stars". Been there, know this..
After reading these comments I'm almost embarrassed that I even clicked on the article. Hand Salute Ma'am.
About time military. Get rid of Romney and his tea party perverts. Gays and Lesbians are good people.
He will make a fine general.
In a side related story the Army is now switching all armored personnel carriers to Subarus....
This is the level of sophistication that I love in all civil discourse. Truly engaging.
Thes comments are blow the belt and clearly show who the Amereican middleclass represent. It is sad to see the kind of garbage in the brians of 360 + million Americans. If this kind of languange is in teh heads of Americans than yes they might as well shoot each other like bandits in teh wild west. America is a dangerous country!
Honestly, no one takes you seriously with THAT many spelling errors.
Wow James.. just wow
Interesting how my post on how her enlistment was fraudulent didn't get past the CNN censors.
Army officers are supposed to set the standard. To place duty and obedience above their personal desires and profit.
Instead this person violated that trust and is rewarded with a general's star.
Oh give it a rest and stop being a bigot.
This is not the United States of America I knew a decade ago.
Thats what Im screaming Joe and it is very sad. Wish the old red white and blue would come back peoples values are changing drastically.
IIt ain't the United States of 1860 either.
General has aides.