Anthony Woods Reacts to Lt. Dan Choi’s Military Administrative Board Ruling

“It’s basically called a discharge board or a retention board.  Whatever, you call it, I’m going to get fired.  I think people have to realize that.  They are firing people from their units in a time of war when you need people to serve in their country and these people are able, capable, willing and trained.  You’re firing them for the sole basis of who they are.  And the sole basis of their honesty.”

“It’s a trial.  I am guilty until proven innocent.  Guilty until proven capable.  The charge against me is my admission, my saying saying three words honestly that has translated to conduct which is translated to immorality which is translated to unprofessionalism which is translated into discharge which is translated again into firing.”

He told the Vanguard that he had basically reached the point where he could no longer lie about who he was.

“Graduated from West Point, we learned that a cadet would not lie.  It had nothing to do with your orientation, it does not say that a straight cadet would not lie, but a gay cadet must lie.  So that kind of dissonance we don’t deal with.”

Yesterday as expected, the Military Administrative Board recommended the discharge of Lt. Dan Choi under the miltiary’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy.”

Here is what his friend Anthony Woods said about the ruling:

“Today, a Military Administrative Board recommended the discharge of my friend, West Point Classmate, and fellow Iraq War Veteran Lt. Dan Choi for refusing to lie to his fellow soldiers, and for refusing to violate the Honor Code to which all Army officers are bound.  Lt. Choi is an experienced combat leader and Arab linguist—two things our military desperately needs– who is ready and willing to re-deploy with his unit.   Today’s decision only highlights the fact that the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy” is undermining the strength of our military and the security of our nation.

Having served two combat tours in Iraq and brought all 81 of my soldiers home alive before being discharged under the policy last year, I understand what Lt. Choi is going through all too well.

Since 1993, the careers of tens of thousands of soldiers have ended prematurely because of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”—-at a cost of more than $400 million to taxpayers, the safety of combat soldiers deprived of experienced leaders and specialists, and the readiness of a force already stretched thin by two wars and repeated, extended deployments.  More than 70% of Americans support its repeal because Americans understand that in a time of war, America’s security is far more important than political expediency.

I applaud Lt. Choi’s resolve to appeal this wrong-headed decision, and look forward to leading the effort to repeal this misguided policy as the next Congressman from California’s 10th District.”

Woods is himself a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.  He is a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq, and was awarded both the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal for his service.  Woods is a native of Fairfield, CA, and is campaigning for the expected Special Election to replace Representative Ellen Tauscher in California’s 10th District.  He himself faced this decision not long ago, and also was eventually removed from the military.

I am sure there are some people who believe that this policy makes us better off, but in this day and age that view does not make a whole of sense to me.  This is a policy that has outlived its usefully.  Truman would integrate the military for blacks and whites.  It is time for Obama to take the steps to do the same in 2009 for gays.

—David M. Greenwald reporting