Expert: Eric Potts - 7/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Eric.

After first reading the question your first thoughts are probably, "Are you insane?", but just hear me out here.

I joined the National Guard a while back and a month beore I was suposed to ship I was discharged. I didn't go AWOL, I didn't piss hot, nothing like that. What happened was, the Army found out I was gay. I have no idea how, they wouldnt tell me, and I didnt tell a single person or do/say anything suggestive. But they found out.

My whole life all Ive wanted to do is help people. I joined the guard as a medic, and I wanted to work as an officer during my civilian life, and now it all appears lost. So at this point, is there any chance of me ever becoming an officer now? Or should I just give up hoping?

ANSWER: Michael,

I can not imagine how they found out you were gay unless someone told them, obviously you know there is no test to show if you're gay or straight. I have an issue with the whole process and if I were you I would demand some answers.

Being gay should in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM prevent you from being a police officer. Will it be easy, I can't lie to you Michael, there are many people on Police Forces everywhere that have issues with homosexuals and you may face some harrassment, police departments are no different than society. It isn't right, it isn't legal but that doesn't stop it from happening. It takes an inner strength to weather that storm, but I'm confident you can do it.

The department I work for our Chief, yes CHIEF is a Lesbian. It didn't stop her from succeeding despite some pretty negative things said about her from people in the department. Most of those "old timers" are gone and thank goodness progressive thinking prevails.

Go out there and take the test, and become the best  POLICE OFFICER you can!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your answer. But I was hoping I could ask you another question if it's not to much trouble?

More specifically, I was wondering if the discharge itself would create problems. I've heard everything from, Departments wont even give you a second look if it's anything other than honorable, to they will but you'll have to have a damn good story. This is what discourages me most, I really dont want my application just thrown out simply because my CO felt the need to UOTHC me instead of ELSing me. So from what you know is there a good chance of that happening that I should be prepaired for? Or are these people just exagerating?

Thanks again for the help,

Mike

Answer
Well Mike,

I am a bit concerned as to why your discharge was anything less than Honorable. You may have to retain a lawyer and seek remedy here.

Departments are very leery of Military Discharges that are anything but honorable and to be very honest some won't pass you along if they see the discharge as less than honorable or as said before you must have a very good and plausible reason and it will need to be documented.

Good Luck