OutServe
Encyclopedia
OutServe is an underground network of GLB
actively-serving military personnel, which launched publicly on 26 July 2010. It is co-directed by a 2009 graduate of the US Air Force Academy, Josh Seefried (formerly known as JD Smith
to protect his identity) and Ty Walrod. There are over 4,000 members and 42 chapters worldwide.
Barack Obama
at the signing ceremony for the legislation authorizing repeal of Don't ask, don't tell
(DADT). Katherine Miller, a former West Point cadet who resigned in protest of the DADT policy, is also a spokesperson and board member. USMA alumna, Brenda Sue Fulton, also the chair of Knights Out
, is the communications director.
There are leaders for each of the 42 chapters worldwide, whose identities, as well as those of all members, were kept anonymous under DADT. With the expiration of DADT on September 20, 2011, JD Smith revealed his true identity. One hundred and one OutServe members in total came out publicly with the end of DADT.
, Air Force
, Navy
, Marines
and Coast Guard
, both commissioned officers
and enlisted. Due to privacy concerns, OutServe's Membership is closely guarded and monitored. Each chapter has an internally selected leader. Several chapters have hosted meetings and social gatherings aimed at improving the morale and quality of life of the members. The structure of OutServe was inspired by the British military’s Proud2Serve organization.
after sending a letter criticizing the Comprehensive Review Working Group's initial decision to exclude gay
and lesbian
military personnel from the review process.
On July 26, 2010, OutServe was accused of falsely claiming to be the first organization to directly represent active duty service members. Walrod addressed these concerns by clarifying that OutServe was not interested in claiming credit for the work of other organizations, and only aimed to give a voice to personnel silenced by the DADT policy.
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
actively-serving military personnel, which launched publicly on 26 July 2010. It is co-directed by a 2009 graduate of the US Air Force Academy, Josh Seefried (formerly known as JD Smith
JD Smith (pseudonym)
JD Smith is a pseudonym assumed by 1st Lt. Josh Seefried, an active duty officer United States Air Force, during his campaign to end the discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexuals against serving openly in the United States military....
to protect his identity) and Ty Walrod. There are over 4,000 members and 42 chapters worldwide.
Leadership
OutServe is led by co-directors Josh Seefried, and civilian Ty Walrod. U.S. Army veteran, Jonathan Hopkins is the main spokesman, and was mentioned by PresidentPresident
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
at the signing ceremony for the legislation authorizing repeal of Don't ask, don't tell
Don't ask, don't tell
"Don't ask, don't tell" was the official United States policy on homosexuals serving in the military from December 21, 1993 to September 20, 2011. The policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, while...
(DADT). Katherine Miller, a former West Point cadet who resigned in protest of the DADT policy, is also a spokesperson and board member. USMA alumna, Brenda Sue Fulton, also the chair of Knights Out
Knights Out
Knights Out is an organization of West Point alumni, staff and faculty who support the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to serve openly in the U.S. military and who wish to educate young officers about the issues and contributions of LGBT troops...
, is the communications director.
There are leaders for each of the 42 chapters worldwide, whose identities, as well as those of all members, were kept anonymous under DADT. With the expiration of DADT on September 20, 2011, JD Smith revealed his true identity. One hundred and one OutServe members in total came out publicly with the end of DADT.
Membership
As of April, 2011, OutServe is divided into 42 regional chapters, with a total membership of over 4,000 members. It includes personnel from the ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
, both commissioned officers
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
and enlisted. Due to privacy concerns, OutServe's Membership is closely guarded and monitored. Each chapter has an internally selected leader. Several chapters have hosted meetings and social gatherings aimed at improving the morale and quality of life of the members. The structure of OutServe was inspired by the British military’s Proud2Serve organization.
General
In June 2010, OutServe's existence came to the attention of the Office of the Secretary of DefenseOffice of the Secretary of Defense
The Office of the Secretary of Defense is a headquarters-level staff of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. It is the principal civilian staff element of the Secretary of Defense, and it assists the Secretary in carrying out authority, direction and control of the Department...
after sending a letter criticizing the Comprehensive Review Working Group's initial decision to exclude gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
and lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
military personnel from the review process.
On July 26, 2010, OutServe was accused of falsely claiming to be the first organization to directly represent active duty service members. Walrod addressed these concerns by clarifying that OutServe was not interested in claiming credit for the work of other organizations, and only aimed to give a voice to personnel silenced by the DADT policy.