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Army general is military's first openly gay flag officer
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.
If she is qualified for the job, and has earned it, she gets the job.
End of story.
Too funny
I always thought Marines were the first to go in... why'd she have to be from the Army???
Do marine corps NCOs cross those swords?
Anne, it is apparrant you know nothing of the military. Stick to playing woth your barbies
What's a "flag officer"? (Was that a typo?)
A Flag Officer is a Naval Officer (I.e., Navy and Coast Guard). She is a General Officer, General Officers are in the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force. The writter probably doesn't know the diffrence.
Gays have been allowed to serve if the don't disclose. Now they can disclose. So no, she didn't violate the law. Don't ask, don't tell. They didn't ask, she didn't tell. Now she is allowed to serve openly, and she is. Get over it. Q
What orders were those that she supposedly failed to follow? Your kind are dying out, and that's a good thing.
Please look up the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy.
She failed to follow what everyone with a brain realizes was an unlawful order. Therefore she is not a hypocrite but an example of what a soldier should be.
Glad you approve. And if you don't, leave the country and move to Syria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc. etc.
She looks kinda old to be getting her first star...
That alone says volumes about her career...
A flag officer is one who holds the rank of BGen or higher, for the navy , that is an admiral another way to look at is pay grade O-7 or above
Correct!
Yeah, you can serve your country and not have to lie about you you are. Maybe that "freedom" thing is is finally taking hold in America!
Warmest congratulations, General Smith! Thank you for your service! And I'd like to express my warmest congratulations to Ms. Hepner. She suppported her spouse without any aid or acknowlegement from our country, and made her carreerr posible. Thank you for your service!
Naysayers: You may disagree with the missions handed down by our civilian leadership, but let's not confuse the soldier with the mission. Work for change!
Bigots: Please wash your brains out with soap. All that filth causes terminal stupidity. Remember, you can't fix stupid!
All apologies for the typos. More coffee....
Amen to that comment!
Newsflash, the culture war on gays is over and you lost conservatives. The best part? There isn't anything you can do about it. Go cry in a corner.