the biggest challenge was hiding who i was. because i got out before don t ask, don t tell. banning the discrimination of enlistment based on sexual orientation. it required gay and lesbian service members to keep thsecre it is my duty to group hold the high standard of unit cohesion of the world s finist fighting force. unit cohesion, combat readiness, good order and discipline. if you look through the history, these are the rationalizations you will hear again and again. first used to prohibit everybody who wasn t white. then women. then gay folks. then trans folks. i should clarify i joined the navy female bodied.