On Sept. 20, a change of law that has been debated for nearly 18 years, took place in the United States military. The repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prohibited openly gay service members, went into effect.
Some military members marked it as a historic, while others went about it as a normal day.
Cadet Ryan Ridel, a 23-year-old senior at Utah State University remembers that day. He was at the national training center at Fort Irwin, CA. “It was just another day,” Ridel said. “I went to work and did my job.”
Though Ridel saw it as “just another day”, he is one of the service members it affects. Ridel is an openly gay cadet serving in the USU Army ROTC, and will commission as a second lieutenant in the summer of 2012.
Ridel grew up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he was 19, he served a LDS mission. Ridel said he was a great missionary and did all that was expected of him. He tried to follow the teachings of the church. “I tried to pray the gay away,” Ridel said.
After returning from his mission, Ridel proposed to a girlfriend, but the engagement was called off. He moved to California and there he dated a man for the first time. During this relationship, the teachings of the LDS church echoed in his head. “No, no, no, it’s not right, is what I told myself” Ridel said.
After he ended that relationship he moved back to Utah where he once again became engaged to a girl named Jennifer.”Jennifer was the last girl I dated,” Ridel said.
After transferring schools and moving, Ridel dropped out of school and went back to California. “It’s where I came to terms with who I am as a person,” he said.
Ridel returned to Utah and enrolled in USU. Growing up in a family with a military background, he decided to join the ROTC. “I came from a family with means and never wanted for anything,” Ridel said. “I wanted to go out on my own.”
Though Ridel has not formally come out to his co-workers, he has also never denied his sexuality when asked. “It’s more of a ‘don’t ask, don’t care’ attitude,” Ridel said.
Strong unit cohesion is more important than being openly gay Ridel believes. “I’ll play the game to keep unit cohesion,” he said.
Ridel knows that there has been whispering behind his back, but it won’t prevent him from his duties as an officer. “I didn’t join the Army to sit around and gossip,” Ridel said. “I joined the Army to do a job, and do it well.”
Some cadets have the same “don’t ask, don’t care” attitude. Colton Keune, a 21-year-old junior had already served with an openly gay cadet before the repeal. “He trained just like the rest of us,” Keune said.
Professionalism takes precedence over sexual orientation for Keune. “As long as they are professional, I don’t see the difference,” Keune said.
Other cadets support aspects of the repeal, but are wary on others. “It’s great that regardless of sexuality, someone can serve to protect their family and friends,” said Zack Walker, a 21-year-old junior.
It’s when it comes to rooming or community showers, Walker disagrees. “I don’t feel comfortable rooming with an openly gay person,” he said. “But as an officer we were told to get over it.”
Walker knows that military orders will be above his personal beliefs and will treat openly gay service members like anyone else. “I don’t agree with the lifestyle, but it’s not my decision,” Walker said. “I will just do my job.”
(n.sorenson)
