Major General Tammy Smith: The First Openly Gay US General on Leadership, Values, and Service

She filled out a coupon in her FFA magazine. The Army wasn't looking for her. They got Major General Tammy Smith anyway — 35 years of service, two stars, and the first openly gay general in United States military history.IN THIS EPISODE:A farm-girl scholarship and the career no one saw coming — from Oakland, Oregon to the Pentagon25 years hiding her identity under threat of dishonorable discharge — not from shame, but to keep a job she lovedThe parachute jump that knocked out her tooth — and taught her to trust her equipmentBuilding roads and bridges in Costa Rica — and finding them still standing 20 years laterThe Admiral Mullen testimony that made her cry and rescind her retirement papersDeploying to Afghanistan while her partner said goodbye like a stranger in a civilian airportWaking up in Bagram on September 20, 2011 when Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealedBecoming the first openly gay general in US military history — terrified, and doing it anywayHow LGBTQ veterans can access blanket discharge upgrades and reclaim VA benefitsEPISODE SUMMARY:Tammy Smith hid for 25 years — not from shame, but from a policy that allowed commanders to discharge service members administratively, without legal recourse, simply for being identified as gay. She loved the Army too much to leave. When she met Tracy Hepner in 2004, hiding became harder. When Admiral Mullen testified that he couldn't understand asking soldiers to lie about who they were to serve with honor, she wept, rescinded her retirement papers, and stayed. She was in Bagram on the day repeal happened. She came home, married Tracy at the Jefferson Memorial, and two months later became the first openly gay general in US history — with her wife and her father pinning on her stars.ABOUT GENERAL SMITH:Major General Tammy Smith (Ret.) served 35 years in the US Army. She holds a BA in US History, two master's degrees, and a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership.COMMUNITY: WeCanDoItWomen.comIf this episode moved you, come carry it forward at WeCanDoItWomen.com. A 5-star Apple Podcasts review takes under a minute and helps more women find this show.