The comeback kid
Lieutenant Judson Smith was reinstated into the United States Air Force Reserves as an Officer in an Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron in June 2014 after a 12-year absence. In 2002, he was kicked out of the armed forces under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy for living openly as a gay man.
At only 22, he had to turn his life around after hearing the news that he would no longer be serving in the armed forces. “It was very upsetting, getting discharged at that young of an age, a time when you are trying to figure out who you are in life,” Smith said.
During his time away from the armed forces, he excelled in his professional career starting a company, Code3, selling online EMT and paramedic courses. He also received a Masters in Health Administration in his time away from the force.
While living his civilian life, he received help from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). The organization is an active watchdog and policy organization that provides free and direct legal assistance to servicemembers and veterans affected by the repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law. Smith is no longer working with the group.
Amazingly, after only one year back in the Air Force, Smith has already won a major award within his division, the 302nd Airlift Wing Company Grade Officer of the Second Quarter. The award is given four times a year to outstanding officers, pilots, coordinators, and a variety of other positions within the force. It is extremely competitive.
At the end of the year, the four recipients of each quarterly award become nominated for the yearly award, which will be announced in March of 2016.
Smith’s Commander, Lt Col Laurel McDaniel, said that nominating and supporting Smith for the award was common sense. “His knowledge base, extensive leadership skills, and determination are what made him such a strong candidate. If you take his civilian experience, he is overqualified,” said McDaniel.
In addition to his leadership skills and presence within the force, Smith was able to improve communication within his squadron by acquiring 40 new expensive headsets by thinking outside of the box. He acquired grants that allowed him to equip his squadron, allowing them to communicate seamlessly. After training sessions with the equipment, Smith was able to make his squadron one of the most efficient in the country. As a logistics officer, Smith knows that success is all about communication.
Because of Smith’s innovations within the squadron, McDaniel jokingly said she’ll “never let him to leave her squadron.” She knows he has nowhere to go but up, and sees him entering Squadron Officer School in Mobile, AL soon. She believes he could be commanding and serving in important foreign missions in the upcoming years.
Smith’s squadron, the 302nd Airlift Wing is one of nine Air Force Reserve C-130 wings that provides airdrop and airlift missions. Specifically, Smith focuses on aeromedical evacuation. In layman’s terms, the massive C-130H3 planes are turned into airborne intensive care units, armed with specialized in-flight emergency medical providers. The planes pick up patients in dangerous territory and transport them to secure military bases where they receive full treatment. Smith is in charge of these type of complex and lifesaving logistics.
Despite his discharge from the military in 2002, Smith doesn’t hold any contempt for the Air Force or the armed forces in general. Since 2002, he says he has noticed an incredible change in acceptance toward queer service members.
“My husband and I still get invited to the same BBQs as the straight couples do. It is no longer a big deal within the military. Some still have their opinions, sure, but modern military training has given everyone guidance and a directive to follow.” Smith continued, “We all signed up for the same service, we all signed up for something far beyond ourselves and our sexuality.”
