Pride The Story Of The First Openly Gay Navy Seal Epub
Pride: The Story of the First Openly Gay Navy SEAL
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a Navy SEAL, one of the most elite and secretive forces in the world? Have you ever wondered what it's like to be gay in a culture that values masculinity, loyalty, and conformity? Have you ever wondered how one man managed to overcome both challenges and become the first openly gay Navy SEAL on active duty?
If you have, then you should read Pride: The Story of the First Openly Gay Navy SEAL, a memoir by Brett Jones that tells his remarkable journey of courage, resilience, and love. In this book, you will learn about Brett's life, from his childhood as a military brat who traveled around the world, to his adulthood as a decorated SEAL who fought in two harrowing deployments, to his coming out that changed his career and his life forever.
This book is not only a thrilling account of military action and adventure, but also a powerful testimony of personal growth and social change. It is a book that will appeal to readers of different backgrounds and perspectives, as it explores themes such as identity, sexuality, family, friendship, patriotism, justice, and equality. It is a book that will challenge your assumptions, inspire your dreams, and touch your heart.
The Early Life of Brett Jones
Brett Jones was born into a military family in 1973. His father was an Air Force officer who served in Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Egypt, and other countries. His mother was a nurse who supported her husband's career. Brett grew up with two sisters and a brother, moving from one place to another every few years.
Brett loved traveling and learning about different cultures. He also loved sports and physical activities. He was always curious, adventurous, and competitive. He dreamed of becoming a Navy SEAL since he was six years old, when he saw a documentary about them on TV. He was fascinated by their skills, courage, and dedication.
Brett also discovered his sexuality at a young age. He realized he was attracted to boys when he was in elementary school, but he kept it a secret. He was afraid of being rejected by his family, friends, and society. He was also afraid of jeopardizing his future as a SEAL, since homosexuality was banned in the military. He tried to suppress his feelings and act like a normal boy.
Brett joined the Navy in 1992, after graduating from high school. He wanted to follow his father's footsteps and serve his country. He also wanted to fulfill his dream of becoming a SEAL. He knew it would be hard, but he was determined to succeed.
The Challenges and Triumphs of Being a SEAL
Becoming a SEAL was not easy. Brett had to undergo rigorous training and selection processes that tested his physical and mental abilities. He had to endure long hours of running, swimming, diving, shooting, climbing, and crawling. He had to face extreme conditions of heat, cold, water, and mud. He had to overcome pain, fatigue, fear, and doubt.
Brett also had to prove himself to his teammates and instructors. He had to show them that he was strong, smart, loyal, and trustworthy. He had to earn their respect and friendship. He had to fit in with their culture and values.
Brett succeeded in becoming a SEAL in 1995. He was assigned to SEAL Team 8, based in Virginia Beach. He participated in two six-month deployments, one in Europe and one in Africa. He performed various missions, such as reconnaissance, surveillance, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance. He received numerous awards and commendations for his service.
Brett loved being a SEAL. He loved the challenge, the adventure, the camaraderie, and the honor. He felt proud of himself and his team. He felt he was doing something meaningful and important.
Brett also managed to balance his professional and personal life under the policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT), which prohibited gay people from serving openly in the military. He kept his sexuality a secret from his colleagues and superiors. He dated women occasionally to maintain appearances. He also dated men discreetly when he was off duty or on leave. He tried to be careful and discreet.
The Coming Out and the Aftermath
Brett's life changed dramatically in 2002, when he decided to come out of the closet. He was tired of living a double life and hiding his true self. He wanted to be honest with himself and others. He wanted to be happy.
Brett came out to his family first. His parents were shocked and disappointed at first, but they eventually accepted him and supported him. His siblings were more understanding and supportive from the start. Brett felt relieved and grateful for their love.
Brett then came out to his teammates and superiors. He expected them to react negatively or even violently, but he was surprised by their reactions. Some of them were supportive and respectful of his decision. Some of them were indifferent or curious about his situation. Some of them were hostile or uncomfortable with his presence.
Brett's coming out had consequences for his career and his life. He faced discrimination and harassment from some of his colleagues and superiors. He was denied promotions and assignments that he deserved. He was threatened with discharge or court-martial if he did not resign voluntarily.
Brett fought back against the injustice and discrimination that he faced. He filed complaints and lawsuits against the Navy for violating his rights and dignity. He sought legal advice and media attention for his case. He became an advocate for gay rights and equality in the military.
Brett also found support and acceptance from others who shared his struggle or supported his cause. He joined organizations such as Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and OutServe that provided legal assistance and advocacy for gay military personnel. He met other gay service members who became his friends and allies.
The Life After the Navy
Brett left the Navy in 2003, after receiving an honorable discharge. He was sad to leave his team and his career behind, but he was also relieved to end the ordeal that he had endured for over a year.
The Life After the Navy
Brett left the Navy in 2003, after receiving an honorable discharge. He was sad to leave his team and his career behind, but he was also relieved to end the ordeal that he had endured for over a year.
Brett did not give up on his fight against terror or his passion for security work. He became a security contractor for various companies that operated in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and other countries. He performed tasks such as personal protection, convoy escort, intelligence gathering, and crisis management. He faced many dangers and difficulties in these war-torn regions.
Brett also found love and happiness in his personal life. He met Jason White, a former police sergeant from Alabama who had served in Iraq as a security contractor. They fell in love and got married in 2013, after the repeal of DADT and the legalization of gay marriage in some states. They adopted Ethan, Jason's son from his previous marriage to a woman. They moved to Toney, a small town in northern Alabama, where they built their own home.
Brett and Jason also started their own security company, Riley Security, named after their dog. They hired former military and law enforcement personnel who shared their values and standards. They provided security services to various clients in Alabama and beyond. They also offered training courses on firearms, self-defense, first aid, and other skills. They aimed to raise the bar on private security in Alabama through their groundbreaking training program, exceptional hiring processes, and tireless dedication to their customers.
The Lessons and Insights from the Book
Pride: The Story of the First Openly Gay Navy SEAL is more than just a memoir of one man's life. It is also a source of lessons and insights for readers of different backgrounds and perspectives. It is a book that can teach us about:
- Identity: Brett Jones shows us how he struggled with his sexuality and his identity as a gay man and a SEAL. He shows us how he came to terms with his true self and embraced it with pride. He shows us how he refused to let others define him or limit him by their labels or expectations. - Sexuality: Brett Jones shows us how he dealt with his attraction to men and his relationships with them. He shows us how he coped with the stigma and the secrecy of being gay in a homophobic society and a homophobic military. He shows us how he found love and happiness with his husband and his son. - Family: Brett Jones shows us how he related to his family of origin and his family of choice. He shows us how he faced the rejection and acceptance of his parents and siblings when he came out to them. He shows us how he formed bonds with his teammates and friends who became his brothers-in-arms. He shows us how he created a family with his husband and his son who became his source of joy and support. - Friendship: Brett Jones shows us how he made friends and enemies in his life. He shows us how he earned the respect and trust of his teammates and instructors who became his friends. He shows us how he faced the hostility and harassment of some of his colleagues and superiors who became his enemies. He shows us how he met other gay service members who became his allies. - Patriotism: Brett Jones shows us how he served his country with honor and courage. He shows us how he joined the Navy and became a SEAL out of love for his country and its ideals. He shows us how he performed various missions that protected national security and promoted global peace. He shows us how he fought for his rights and dignity as a citizen and a soldier. - Justice: Brett Jones shows us how he challenged the injustice and discrimination that he faced. He shows us how he filed complaints and lawsuits against the Navy for violating his rights and dignity. He shows us how he sought legal advice and media attention for his case. He shows us how he became an advocate for gay rights and equality in the military. - Equality: Brett Jones shows us how he contributed to the social change that led to the repeal of DADT and the legalization of gay marriage. He shows us how he shared his story with others who were inspired by it or learned from it. He shows us how he lived authentically and proudly as a gay man and a gay SEAL. He shows us how he proved that sexual orientation does not affect one's ability or character. Conclusion
Pride: The Story of the First Openly Gay Navy SEAL is a book that will captivate you, enlighten you, and move you. It is a book that will make you think, feel, and act. It is a book that will challenge your assumptions, inspire your dreams, and touch your heart.
If you want to learn more about Brett Jones and his book, you can visit his website at www.brettjones.com. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also watch his interviews and documentaries on YouTube and other platforms.
As Brett Jones says in his book, \"I am proud of who I am and what I have done. I am proud of being a Navy SEAL. I am proud of being gay. I am proud of being me.\" And we are proud of him too.
FAQs
Q: How did Brett Jones become a Navy SEAL?
A: Brett Jones joined the Navy in 1992, after graduating from high school. He underwent rigorous training and selection processes that tested his physical and mental abilities. He became a SEAL in 1995, after completing the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) course and the SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) course.
Q: How did Brett Jones come out of the closet?
A: Brett Jones came out of the closet in 2002, when he left an \"I love you\" phone message for his lover, a Navy sailor. A sailor heard it and turned him in. The Navy launched an investigation designed to dishonorably discharge him.
Q: How did Brett Jones fight back against the Navy?
A: Brett Jones fought back against the Navy by filing complaints and lawsuits against them for violating his rights and dignity. He sought legal advice and media attention for his case. He became an advocate for gay rights and equality in the military.
Q: How did Brett Jones meet his husband?
A: Brett Jones met his husband, Jason White, a former police sergeant from Alabama who had served in Iraq as a security contractor. They fell in love and got married in 2013, after the repeal of DADT and the legalization of gay marriage in some states.
Q: How did Brett Jones start his own security company?
A: Brett Jones started his own security company, Riley Security, with his husband Jason White in 2014. They hired former military and law enforcement personnel who shared their values and standards. They provided security services to various clients in Alabama and beyond. They also offered training courses on firearms, self-defense, first aid, and other skills.