Hank Thomas
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
I enlisted as a private in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve while I was in high school. After boot camp, I went on to graduate from the Virginia Military Institute. Following graduation, I was commissioned as a regular officer in the Marine Corps.
I did several overseas assignments, mostly in the infantry and in intelligence. I was an infantry company commander in Vietnam and then a battalion and regimental staff officer, receiving several medals and awards. After my second tour in Vietnam, I resigned my regular commission and took a commission in the Marine Corps Reserves, completing my military service as a lieutenant colonel in the Fleet Marine Forces Civil Affairs Group.
Subsequently, I served in a civilian capacity in the Nixon administration. I later served in the Reagan administration as assistant secretary of energy for international affairs and senior intelligence officer of the department. I also served on the National Intelligence Council.
I always knew I was gay but did not disclose it until after leaving government service. In those days, had it been known that I was gay, I would never have been granted the security clearances I had or permitted to hold the positions I did. At VMI or as an enlisted person, I believed I would have been at physical peril had my orientation been known. As an officer, I would have been immediately discharged no matter that my performance was always such that I received exceptional assignments and promotion either with my class, or in Vietnam, below the zone.
Since coming out, I have devoted my time volunteering and working with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans to lift the ban. I firmly believe that the single most important action each GLBT person can make to full acceptance within American society is to come out fully. Too many people still can't relate to "real" GLBT persons because they don't know anybody they can relate to as a friend, colleague, acquaintances or family member. This applies, in particular, to GLBT veterans. Coming out is one of the best things we can do to support lifting the ban.