Christopher Priest
Sergeant, U.S. Army (1987-1995)
In April 1987, I entered the Army after graduating early from high school. The military is all I ever wanted to do. I completed basic infantry training and earned my jump wings. I spent two years in Germany both with a mechanized infantry battalion and a long-range surveillance detachment.
I then transferred to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, with the 101st. I would spend two of the busiest and best years of my career there earning my corporal stripes, air assault wings and a chance to attend Ranger school. However, I wasn't able to complete Ranger school (missed the final phase) because of deployment to the Persian Gulf for Desert Shield. Upon returning to Campbell in 1991, I reenlisted for the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg, NC. While this was where I would meet some of my best friends ever, it was hands-down the worst assignment of my career - too many ticket punching officers!
I was at Bragg when former President Clinton issued the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, but the funny thing was I was open enough for everyone to know, not enough for them to do anything about it and it was killing the first sergeant. I was even the subject of a company commander's briefing one day before a long weekend! A soldier asked about the rainbow flag and what it meant. Seeing as I was the only one around with one on his vehicle, that pretty much made it clear who they were talking about. That and the fact that one of my fellow sergeants kept kicking me on my foot the whole time, but it was out of friendship. Never once did I have any problems. I was the worst kept secret around but it didn't alter anyone's behavior in the barracks. My personal and professional lives were completely separated and everyone knew it.
In 1994, I committed the ultimate sin for a non-commissioned officer in the 82nd Airborne - I decided not to reenlist and let it be known. I had decided enough was enough and wanted to have a life again. Sometimes there are times I miss it but then I look at the operations tempo and appreciate coming home to my own bed each night.