Brig. Gen Tammy S. Smith is quite accomplished. The 49-year-old has been serving in the U.S. Army for the past 26 years and, on Friday, she became a general. But, Smith is making headlines for a reason that supersedes her professional abilities. At her pinning ceremony last week, she became the first openly-gay general to serve in the Army — and the overall military’s — ranks.
This development comes after the military dropped its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy last year. During a ceremony on Friday, Smith’s wife, activist Tracey Hepner, pinned on her star, publicly acknowledging Smith’s sexuality and open devotion to another female. In a press release put out by the Defense Department, Smith said that “participating with family in traditional ceremonies such as the promotion is both common and expected of a leader.”...
