OutServe-SLDN Congratulates Eric Fanning on being nominated for Secretary of the Army 

Group celebrates having an out gay man in critical position leading and supporting development of military policy. 

(Washington, DC, September 18, 2015) - Statement by Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN on Eric Fanning being nominated by President Barack Obama as the next Secretary of the Army.  

"I am thrilled to see the announcement today that President Obama has nominated Eric Fanning to be the next Secretary of the Army.

Eric is well qualified to fill this important role.  He served as the deputy undersecretary and deputy chief management officer for the Department of the Navy. He was also deputy director of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, as the Under Secretary of the Air Force, and later as the Acting U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, and most recently as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense and Acting Under Secretary of the Army.

He continues to break down barriers in his career advancements and I know that Eric will be the leader that the Army needs. Eric undoubtedly has a masterful grasp on military policy and strategic defense initiatives that will serve the Army and the Department of Defense well during his tenure.

Further, having an openly gay individual in high level positions within the Department of Defense helps to set the tone at the top and provides an opportunity to bring better understanding about both the shared and the unique needs of LGBT individuals in the military and their families.

I encourage the Senate Armed Services Committee, its chairman Senator John McCain and ranking member Senator Jack Reed to move proactively and swiftly in Eric's confirmation hearing. "


OutServe-SLDN (OS-SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. With more than fifty chapters and 60,000 subscribers around the world, OS-SLDN supports a professional network of LGBT military personnel and strives to create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.

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