All of Me08 September 2012
http://outservemag.com/2012/09/all-of-me/
Several weeks ago I started putting together everything I thought might be necessary to get a new military ID card as a member of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Much of the groundwork had already been done because I am a DoD contractor on base. Just in case, though, I put together all of my name and gender change paperwork in a folder, and brought a fistful of IDs with my new name and gender on them.
The other aspect of this operation was wearing a uniform for the photo ID. I dug out a flight suit, and my boots still buffed to a high gloss when I pulled them from of the steamer chest in the basement. I also ordered a new black leather name tag from from the Navy exchange online to complete the ensemble. When it finally came in the mail, I couldn't help but feel a thrill seeing my new name embossed just beneath the hard-won wings of gold.
