Lesbian cadet quits West Point, cites "don't ask, don't tell"

**Buttercup** · 08-13-10, 03:14 PM

WEST POINT, N.Y. – A lesbian cadet asked to resign from the U.S. Military Academy because she said she can no longer lie about her sexuality and was troubled by the anti-gay attitudes of some around her.

Katherine Miller of Findlay, Ohio, also said she wants to fight for repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" law, a subject she was studying and writing about as a sociology major at West Point.

"I intend for my resignation to offer a concrete example of the consequences of a failed law and social policy," she wrote in her resignation letter on Monday, referring to the law against gays serving openly in the military.

Lesbian cadet quits West Point, cites `don't ask' - Yahoo! News

**Xiphos** · 08-13-10, 03:32 PM

She knew the deal when she signed up. This is a stunt for her political career or book she's going to write. Whatever.

**2 Blue 4 U** · 08-13-10, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

She knew the deal when she signed up. This is a stunt for her political career or book she's going to write. Whatever.

I agree, too bad it took her two years to grow balls, she wasted spot and opportunity for another applicant.

**Buttercup** · 08-13-10, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by 2 Blue 4 U

I agree, too bad it took her two years to grow balls, she wasted spot and opportunity for another applicant.

It is a shame that she wasted an opportunity for someone else and wasted our resources. However, I'm sure that the timing of her resignation was no accident:

Miller's resignation letter was dated a week before she would be required to sign a commitment to finish her final two years and serve five years in the military.

Cadets may withdraw at any point in their first two years without owing the government service or compensation for the education and benefits they've received.

**pgg** · 08-13-10, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Buttercup

It is a shame that she wasted an opportunity for someone else and wasted our resources. However, I'm sure that the timing of her resignation was no accident:

Thats what I'm thinking. She chickened out and is looking for something to blame it on.

**Second Chance** · 08-13-10, 07:31 PM

Movie deal...........just watch!!!!

**keith720** · 08-13-10, 07:44 PM

She dishonors the uniform by her action, not her orientation. She's trying to come across as an example of the unfairness of the current policy, when in fact she knew what she was getting into, and doesn't have the integrity to fullfill her obligation.

**121Traffic** · 08-13-10, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by keith720

She dishonors the uniform by her action, not her orientation. She's trying to come across as an example of the unfairness of the current policy, when in fact she knew what she was getting into, and doesn't have the integrity to fullfill her obligation.

This is exactly how I feel. Appointments to service academies, along with the work to get a congressional nomination to get in, are tough to come by. I tried and didn't get in. I knew a lot of squared away guys at my military HS who were excellent candidates, but the bottom line is that the appointment is damn tough to obtain. This girl wasted a spot that could have been given who's heart was really in it. To leave is one thing...accept the fact that you just weren't up to it. I can respect that. To make a political grandstand of it is despicable, IMO.

**Car 4** · 08-13-10, 11:39 PM

As a parent of an Academy grad....I think she is a quitter. Can't be a quitter in the military....especially if you are a leader!

Sorry about the alledged situation but she could have done more from inside the Army than this nonsense.

Car 4

**MacLean** · 08-14-10, 03:05 AM

I note she waited until she was accepted at Yale.

Real conviction, there.

DADT is a rule that deserves to die a quiet death, however.

**bayern** · 08-14-10, 02:57 PM

Wel, I guess sshe was "The Weakest Link; Googby."

**IndianaFuzz** · 08-14-10, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by MacLean

I note she waited until she was accepted at Yale.

Real conviction, there.

DADT is a rule that deserves to die a quiet death, however.

True.

I do agree that she should have either never signed up, or been resolved enough to keep her secret until her career was naturally over. Or at least if she was going to leave under DADT, then she should have just been herself and let nature take its course and have them kick her out. Taking herself out makes no sense. That's just quitting. At least if she just came out and waited for them to kick her out, then she could have some solace in that she was honest.

I guess a little bit I can see how someone would join, thinking it would be no big deal to keep their secret... then once they get in and see what its really like, start feeling like they are in over their head. But still I don't see the point of taking one's self out of the military rather then having them kick them out.

But DADT is one reason why I never joined the military. Granted, I knew that the military could have been a great stepping stone into law enforcement. But I wasn't going to put myself in the situation of being forced to lie. It was bad enough trying to keep my secret without lying for my first year or so in law enforcement.

**2 Blue 4 U** · 08-14-10, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Buttercup

It is a shame that she wasted an opportunity for someone else and wasted our resources. However, I'm sure that the timing of her resignation was no accident:

Quote:
Miller's resignation letter was dated a week before she would be required to sign a commitment to finish her final two years and serve five years in the military.

Agree, definitely no accident, she is a smart cookie and knew exactly what she was doing.

I wonder if any one got out of their commitment by coming out, is this or will this be a new trend.

Quote:
Cadets may withdraw at any point in their first two years without owing the government service or compensation for the education and benefits they've received.

They should change that policy. Even the NYC Police Cadet program requires a minimum amount of time served on the job, otherwise they have to pay back money that was granted to them for their education.

**Jks9199** · 08-14-10, 10:52 PM

That she doesn't have to pay or serve is bullshit. She knew the policies and rules. She agreed to abide by them -- and she knew that the service academies purpose is to educate career officers for the military.

I'm not a fan of don't ask/don't tell. It doesn't make much sense in the real world. I reserve my opinion on gays in the military; I never served. But nothing required her to lie; she simply had to keep her mouth shut, and be discrete.

**MacLean** · 08-15-10, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by IndianaFuzz

But DADT is one reason why I never joined the military.

Sorry you had to think about it that way.

I served with a gay man and a gay woman that I am certain about, and there were probably others I have no idea about.

They did their job and earned the same beret I wore in the same tech school.

This twit may have been motivated by self advancement, but there are hundreds of others who have to hide who they are while they quietly do their jobs.

DADT was a stopgap that had it's place, but it is time to repeal it.