Knights Out

If you identify as a Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, or Bisexual Cadet, or think you might be, you are not alone. Many Knights Out members have been in your shoes, and we want to help you any way we can.

Knights Out members are working for the day when you will no longer have to hide or lie about your identity. The second the ban is lifted on open service for LGBT cadets and soldiers, Knights Out will begin implementation of our second mission: “to prepare West Point graduates and cadets to lead in a military where LGBT soldiers are allowed to serve openly.”

Until then, we welcome all cadets, regardless of sexual orientation, to join Knights Out as an Ally (see right). Upon graduation, we hope you will become a full-fledged member.

We are extremely proud of LGBT cadets. We want you all to do well. We want you all to do your very best. You are potentially positioned in this time of history to be the visible role models that we never had. We also want to help ensure that you don’t do anything foolish that can jeopardize your status as a Cadet and as a future Army Officer and leader.

Know the Rules

As active duty service members, you really need to know the rules as to what is and is not allowed under “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Our feedback is that the rules are not being taught, but you still must abide by them.

An investigation cannot be started unless there is credible evidence from a “credible” person. A “rumor” is not enough, unless that “rumor” was started by one of your actions, in which case it is not a rumor, but a fact.

The key “actions” which are credible that you can get you in trouble are:

• Telling someone that you are gay
• “Homosexual Conduct”—which means:
  • Having sex with someone of the same gender.
  • Doing something leading up to sex such as:
    • kissing
    • holding hands
    • sexually suggestive touching or
    • sexually suggestive dancing on the dance floor

Getting caught is pretty much irrefutable evidence, whether or not you had an expectation of privacy, in Flirtation Walk, at a shopping mall in New York City or ten thousand miles away in a remote wilderness of Australia. If you are seen by a “credible” person, you have been caught.

Whether or not someone would ever pursue an investigation is more a matter of pure chance. It depends a lot on others’ personal beliefs. You can’t easily control what others believe, so best not give them the opportunity.

Be careful about over-consumption of alcohol. Although we don’t have much evidence supporting that alcohol has played a big role in previous cases where Cadets have gotten themselves in trouble over their sexuality, we all know of too many, too lucky close calls. Be careful to not over indulge.

What if?

Most of us at Knights Out cringe when we think about a Cadet lying to cover yourself. In fact, we are working tirelessly to make sure that no LGBT cadet or soldier ever has to lie or hide again. Lying goes against everything that we learned as Cadets. We cannot recommend that you ever take that path. If you are asked an improper question about your sexual orientation, we feel that it is best that you do not answer it.

You should never be asked if you are gay or a lesbian, even during an investigation. You can only be asked about the conduct. Although it can be very intimidating as a plebe being asked direct questions by firsties or even officers, never answer a question that you should not have been asked!

Per “don’t ask, don’t tell,” it is permissible to have lesbian and gay friends, to visit a gay website (like Knights Out), and to read a gay magazine or book like the Advocate. When some of us were there, most of the literature we had to read for Plebe English had a gay theme to it! It is even permissible to march in the local Gay Pride Parade, as long as you’re not wearing or holding anything stating you’re gay or lesbian, or holding hands with your partner – it may be romantic, but it’s not a good idea!

Even though such actions cannot be used to begin an investigation they might still be used for initiating an improper (not within the rules) investigation or as corroborating evidence. Although you would prevail in any investigation improperly started under the rules, why risk putting yourself through the mental and emotional torture of that process? Your life as a Cadet is already stressful. The additional stress of undergoing a DADT investigation should best be avoided.

In the rare but unfortunate case that you should be formally investigated, know your rights. Say nothing, sign nothing, ask for a defense JAG lawyer which the Army is required to provide you. For free legal counsel, call Service Members Legal Defense Network SLDN at (202) 328-3244. Under no circumstances can you ever be required to name others, no matter what you might be told.

The Big Downside

If you have already started your cow year, there are other implications that you need to be aware of. Once you pass this milestone, you probably aren’t going to get off “free” should you “tell” or have a formal investigation conclude that you engaged in homosexual conduct. Others who drop or are forced out after the first day of cow year get the option to serve off their commitment as an enlisted person in the Army. But as an LGBT Cadet, this option is not possible. Hence, you risk getting the bill for your education costs to date – hundreds of thousands of dollars.