Jeff Cleghorn
Major, U.S. Army (Retired)
I am from a working-class family in a small town in Georgia. I pursued an Army ROTC scholarship that allowed me to attend college, graduating as a "distinguished military graduate" from North Georgia College.
Commissioned into the Military Intelligence Corps, I served in South Korea, Arizona, South Carolina, Germany and the Pentagon. I twice successfully commanded company-size units. I spent my final years on active duty serving as a counter-terrorism analyst for Asia on the staff of the Joint Chiefs.
I was medically retired in 1996, after which I enrolled in the George Washington University Law School. I am presently an attorney with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.
I now confidently live my life as an openly gay American veteran, and I'm committed to helping those who continue to serve in enforced silence by ridding the armed forces of "don't ask, don't tell." I hope all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans will stand up and speak out, as our service and sacrifice are powerful testimonies to counter those who falsely state that we are unfit to defend our nation.