They Want Him For A New Recruit

I just spent an hour and 45 minutes at the military-recruitment station in Times Square, where former Lt. Dan Choi attempted to enlist in the Marines. Honorably discharged from the Army under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Choi told me he'd always dreamed of being a Marine—and that he doesn't believe in waiting for anything like full repeals of unconstitutional laws.

Talking with a very small group of reporters (and one blogger) before his attempt, he was upbeat and excited. I got the second question:

Following an untenably long stay outside that ending only after prolonged knocking on the door, Choi was allowed in where he began filling out paperwork.

Snafu: He's too old to be a Marine.

The age is 28, and he's 29. So he joined the Army. While there was confusion as to his status (plus it's rare for someone to be honorably discharged at a higher rank to re-enlist as a specialist—which would be his status due to his college diploma), Choi emerged all smiles and reported that he's basically been accepted pending some medical paperwork (my understanding):

Success! (For now.)

Other points of interest:

*** The Eyewitness News reporter and his camera man, clearly unaware they were within earshot of anyone early on, joked about Choi spending a night in jail, saying it wouldn't be any punishment at all and "he might like that." The liberal media at work.

*** The press magnified like pregnant roaches as Choi sat inside. When he came out, a smelly New York Times staff photographer was literally on top of me, loudly proclaiming how surprisingly warm it was outside. Yes, because you're up my ass, buddy. When Choi eventually emerged, it was CHAOS. Tons of tourists were convinced President Obama or some other person of note was inside.

*** The CNN reporter didn't know how to spell his name and seemed to be under the impression that there had been some mix-up with his original enlistment. She also felt bad that Margaret Thatcher was in the hospital because just as a woman she had to admire her game. I rolled my eyes while another New York Times shooter said, "I wouldn't wish ill on anyone, but then there's her vile policies and her attitude toward unions." Score.

Here is a full 30 minutes of Choi's re-enlistment action:

Dan Choi Re-Enlists in the Army from Matthew Rettenmund on Vimeo.

Comments

[Paul]

Brilliant! so glad you got this!

[David]

Great job, Matt! I'm in NJ today...if I were home I would totally have walked the 5 blocks to Times Square to see Lt. Dan Choi in person. Thanks for the videos!

[Tim]

Please capitalize Marine in your text. For all those who are fighting to eliminate the policy, make sure you enlist and serve in a line unit or shut up.

[Bob]

NASA to Columbia crew family members: "Build your own space shuttle or shut up"

[SPC M]

I've join the Army this past December, under DADT, I've been in for 10 months now... so far what i get from my "battle buddies" is that they are ignorant about a gay person, they think that if they are with a gay guy, they are going to be sexually molested.
just can't wait until the law is over so I can tell them... and then ask them, did I sexually molested u? they just need to meet more gay ppl that are ready to serve...

[Graphictruth]

SPC M... last sentence; ya might want to rephrase that, comes the day.

Me, I thought, this calls for a group hug... and then said, o, wait.

Times like this, we need to ask ourselves, "what would Jay Leno say..." and then say something else.

[Alexander]

there is no such thing as gay or lesbian or homosexuality
it is all about calling people names
but you still need to find time to love all people at once
women need to love men even if they are busy or married or crazy and men need to love women and to give birth of their own children as true as women need to give birth if they can

you are just too busy

but have fun and love all people at once even when you love just one or two or three or four or more

we all love each other even if we are scaried

and your job is only gonna keep you away from the rest of the world or love other people

hope your job is good
but it will then become your past or background
so your job is then and now to keep past past
so just love all people
Love everything
God is Love
Trust God