And so it begins: Hungry for Rights

Hello. My name is Reyes Lozoya. On December 6th, 2005, my life as a United States Sailor was savagely removed from my grasp as I was discharged under the US Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", policy. It was merely because of my sexual orientation, not my work ethic or abilities as a Sailor, that I was fired from duty and striped of my rank.

I was an enlisted Storekeeper Petty Officer Third Class who served as of the Petty Officer in Charge of Material Expedition, Casualty Report Clerk, the Command Supply Petty Officer Program Training and Requisition Maintenance, and a couple other smaller duties that were critical to my divisional and departmental readiness on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Through my job as Material Expediter and CASREP Clerk, I was responsible to ensure that all ship's mission degrading systems, such as the Flight Deck Catapult operating system, the Reactor Core system, Weapons and Ops systems, were operating and fully functional by researching repair part locations, price, transport means while underway, build the requisition needed to order the part, allot the proper budget to the Department needing the items, and gain authorization from the Supply Officer to successfully keep the ship afloat and operational. This high level position is normally filled by a Storekeeper First Class or Chief Petty Officer, however, I was extremely capable in my duties and was able to complete those tasks as a Storekeeper Seaman. At the same time I was maintaining this high profile job, I stepped up my visibility to become the Command Maintenance Material Management (3M) Repair Parts Petty Officer (RPPO) Training Coordinator. A big title that gave me sole authority to set up, schedule, and manage a weekly training program for the USS Lincoln and embarked Air Wing 2 sailors to learn and become certified in 3M 302. During my role, I came in contact with more than 900 sailors, both junior and senior, enlisted and commissioned, and certified them in the role of RPPO. All of these duties were entrusted into me by my Division Commander and Department Head, and all of these duties were executed to the best of my abilities.

Prior to those duties, I also served as the Stock Control Survey Clerk, conducting causative research and investigating Lost, Stolen, and Damaged goods received by the ship's Supply Department. I reorganized the Standard Operating Procedures manuals for now to process Causative Research, file Reports of Discrepancy, and Quality Deficiency Reports. I also managed on of the highest volume by line item Storerooms onboard the ship, the Maintenance Support Package, containing over 9,000 aircraft maintenance parts.

I did all of this before I reached the age of 20 and had only a High School diploma for an education.

Yet, I was not compatible for military service, and was discharged a month short of 3 years. While the story of my battle echoes on through my many writings, this blog will focus on the days of my strike, my hunger strike to end the suffering of our Men and Women currently serving in silence in the Armed Forces.

After 5 years of fighting back against such a discriminatory policy, I finally smell a tinge of victory in the air. Recently, yesterday to be exact, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate Armed Services Committee voted to amend the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011 with repeal legislation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". This legislation is contingent on a study being currently conducted by the Department of Defense on how best to implement repeal based on the opinions of our service members.

While this vote was a huge step in the right direction, it does not repeal the law. It is still possible for our Service Members to be fired until the Secretary of Defense, the President, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff all agree on implementation of the repeal. When will that happen? When will we stop firing highly qualified people who serve our country with honor, courage, and commitment? When? Why must they wait? Why must the hide? Why must they remain silent?

On their behalf, I will not remain silent. I will not sit around and wait for the US Government to allow them to be themselves. I will continue the fight and encourage our President to enact an Executive Order to halt the discharges until the study is complete to determine that discharging service members is or is not "THE RIGHT THING TO DO".

So, today, I start my Dignity Fast. As I cannot be in DC at this time with Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Piterangelo, I will blog each day giving my thoughts and feelings as I continue my college life without food in my belly. I will hurt, and suffer, but none have hurt me more than the Government and Country I once swore to defend and protect even in the face of death.

Join me, in discussion, or in coordinated fasting, as we work to repeal DADT once and for all!