On the very same day the Pentagon announced in September it was taking steps to help LGBTQ veterans, Marine Corps vet Donnie Ray Allen was taking a major step of his own: registering for his first-ever college course.
At 47 years old, Allen is pursuing his bachelor's degree, a dream he gave up decades ago when he was discharged from the military, denied an honorable discharge, and thus deprived of the crucial GI bill he needed to pay for college. He's among thousands of veterans who were kicked out of the Armed Forces because of their sexual orientation before the military overturned its policy banning gay and lesbian troops from serving openly, known as "don't ask, don't tell."
Allen, a former Marine Corps member, has experienced a significant transformation in his life over the past year. Initially, he was burdened by an other than honorable discharge, which prevented him from accessing various benefits provided to honorably discharged veterans, such as healthcare, tuition assistance, VA loans, and certain federal jobs. However, with the assistance of a lawyer, Allen was able to obtain an honorable discharge earlier this year. As a result, he has recently completed his first semester of college using his GI bill, and he expressed to CBS News' Jim Axelrod that this achievement has had a profound impact on him.
Allen stated, "I have undergone a complete transformation over the past year, and it has definitely been for the better. Now, if I were to fall ill or develop cancer, I can rely on the VA to provide me with the necessary coverage. This has lifted a tremendous burden off my shoulders."
Like many others, Allen joined the military as a means of escaping his challenging life in a small, close-minded town in South Carolina. Despite dropping out of high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and quickly excelled. Allen received a meritorious promotion to lance corporal after completing boot camp, and he was also awarded a National Defense Service Medal and an Expert Rifleman Badge. Within three years, he achieved the rank of E-4, and his service record remained impeccable throughout his time in the military.
However, Allen faced the challenges of serving under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which required him to be cautious about how he presented himself. "There was always a sense of fear and uncertainty surrounding me during those times in the military," Allen explained.
The Fight for LGBTQ+ Veterans' Discharge Upgrades
In a courageous act, Donnie, a Marine, decided to reveal his sexual orientation to his sergeant major just a day before his honorable discharge. Hoping that his exceptional service would change the perception of gay servicemembers within his command, Donnie's expectations were shattered when an investigation was launched instead. Months of harassment followed before he was allowed to leave, but without the honorable discharge he deserved.
Following a recent investigation by CBS News, which shed light on the impact of less than honorable discharges and exposed flaws in the military's review system, the Pentagon has announced a proactive review of veterans' records. For the first time, the military will be considering discharge upgrades without veterans having to apply themselves, a process that has proven to be largely unsuccessful without legal assistance. Additionally, the Department of Defense has launched a dedicated website with resources to support LGBTQ+ veterans who believe they were wrongfully discharged due to their sexuality.
A Defense Department official confirmed that they have already begun reviewing the records of approximately 2,000 veterans to determine their eligibility for discharge upgrades. Shockingly, the investigation by CBS News revealed that over 29,000 LGBTQ+ service members were denied an honorable discharge.
Christie Bhageloe, the director of a nonprofit organization that assists veterans like Allen in seeking discharge upgrades, cautiously welcomes the military's new efforts to address this issue.
"Acknowledging the existence of a problem is a significant step forward," Bhageloe expressed. "Many veterans were still discharged for various reasons, not specifically for their sexual orientation. Therefore, it will require thorough examination of records by someone who comprehends the situation."
As for Allen, he is finally experiencing a renewed sense of pride in his American identity — a sentiment that had been absent since his completion of boot camp in 1994.
"This has made me proud to be an American once again, as our government is finally recognizing our worth and validating our rights," he shared.
