Served in the United States Army from 1984 - 1989. Received my basic training at Fort Jackson SC. Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Benjamin Harrison Indiana and graduated as a Personnel Administration Specialist. Attended Airborne School and graduated as a parachutist from Fort Benning GA in 1984. All miliary service was stateside and was finally assigned to my permanent duty station at Fort Bragg NC. Assigned to 307th Med Bn, 82nd Abn. Div. for a number of years (my old unit is now called 307th Brigade Support Battalion). Was later transferred to HHC 35th Signal Bde., 18th Abn Corps., due to medical termination from jump status after suffering a hairline stress fracture to my left femur. Grew up as a migrant farm worker in Texas. Have experience in factory work, food service, retail, corporate America and currently hold the position of Records Technician at the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton LLP in Midtown Atlanta. Before the DADT policy was in place, I experienced first hand what it was, to be followed by CID (Criminal Investigation Div.) during my time in the military due to suspicion of my being gay. It was not easy being single and a non-commissioned officer. The culture was indeed confusing with regard to rank and social standing . Should you want to know more about me or our organization, please feel free to contact me. I consider it a privilege to be able to still serve my country and be a support to my fellow GLBT Veteran community. Airbore ! All The Way !!!
Served in the United States Air Force from 1998-2005. My Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was Personnel. I attended Technical School for my AFSC at Keesler AFB Mississippi. My subsequent assignments were Minot AFB ND, Osan ABS ROK, Lajes Field Terciera Azores, and Eglin AFB FL. I completed Airman Leadership School and 7 level school for my AFSC prior to separation. I survived a tour in Saudi Arabia (Desert Fox) and then a tour in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). Prior to my enlistment in the Air Force I was a college student in Louisville Kentucky. I joined the USAF to assert my independence and after serving 6 years realized the freedom I had given up and separated. I am motivated with the tools and experience to take the fight forward against the“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
Served in the United States Army from 1986 to 1991. MOS (military occupational specialty) was 91A (Combat Medic). All military service was stateside along with a REFORGER exercise in Germany in 1989. Stateside locations include Ft. Jackson, SC, Ft. Sam Houston, TX and Ft. Benning, GA. At Ft. Benning, Was assigned to Kelly Hill where the 197th Infantry Brigade was located. The unit assigned to was HHC 3rd BN 7th Infantry which later became HHC 2nd BN 18th Infantry. After completing three years, ETS’d and joined the Georgia National Guard in Thomaston, GA. In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and unit was activated for Operation Desert Storm. Assigned National Guard unit was sent to California for extensive desert training. Was medically discharged in November 1991.
During the years of 1988-2000 my time with the United States Military was proudly spent in the Air Force concurrently with the Army and Marines. My experience includes Law Enforcement with the Security Unit, and Medical Technician, and Medical Administration with the Aeromedical Evacuation Unit. My active duty years were at Lackland AFB, TX; Fort Dix, NJ and RAF Upper Heyford, UK. My reserve commitment involved being stationed at Norton AFB, CA; March AFB, CA; Barksdale AFB, LA and Dobbins ARB, GA. My specialty training brought me to Sheppard AFB, TX; Vandenburg AFB, CA; Edwards AFB, CA and Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. Being on Flight Status brought me to Homestead ARB, FL; Charleston AFB, SC; MacDill AFB, FL; Patrick AFB, FL; Moody AFB, GA; Little Rock AFB, AR; Keesler AFB, MS; Elmendorf AFB, AK and Hickam AFB, HI. I quickly learned that despite how strong our military is and how long it has been “in business”, the United States Military has yet to discover and overcome sexual orientation arguments and homophobias as successfully as the prejudices of race. Although DADT did not impact me directly to the point of being forced out of the military, it did drive me to have to live a life of secrecy and caution during my active and reserve duties. Achieving the rank of SSGT, Grade E-5, I decided to end my military career, abandon my goals and live a life of truth. I can now openly serve my country fighting for the rights and protection of our American Citizens through non-profit organizations such as American Veterans for Equal Rights, (AVER).
Beth Settle served from 1975 to 2000 in the Army, Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve, retiring as a major. During her time in service, she worked as an air traffic controller, and a Civil Affairs and Public Affairs officer. She is employed as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Veterans Administration Atlanta Regional Office in Decatur, Georgia.
