By Lori King
This book was written a long time ago, back when my memories were fresh. I tried to publish it a few times after I wrote it but gave up after life got busy with work and kids. I also admit I was a little paranoid about being kicked out of the military, so I didn't try too hard. I was still in the Army National Guard.I wrote it for several reasons: to document a somewhat accurate portrayal of how life was for me in the military, and as a fun and creative way of turning an investigation of gay people on its head, so to speak.
When the Don't Ask, Don't Tell ban was lifted, it occurred to me that I could still publish it via this blog. What matters is that I hope to give an inside look into what life was like for gay people in the military back then.
I especially want to thank my friend Robin, who was a young CID agent when we met in Germany in 1986. She and her CID girlfriend were my best friends, and we played on the 1st Armored Division softball team together. Robin ended up being kicked out of the Army years later by her own CID agency... for being a lesbian. She graciously helped me with the minute details of how CID investigates homosexuals. We both have personal experience. Her ex-girlfriend still serves.
This book is dedicated to my boss at the time who warned me about the investigation, and ultimately saved my career; my friend Robin; and all of gay and lesbian service members who have suffered because of homophobia.
About this novel
The Facade of Agent Ash is a fiction novel I wrote in in the early 1990s, and it was inspired by a true story of lies and deception.
I was an Army journalist stationed with the First Armored Division in Germany in the early 1980s. I briefly dated a nurse for only about a month. That 'hookup' nearly proved fatal to my military career because she ended up turning me in. This triggered an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). I was charged with performing "lewd and lascivious acts."
I was fortunate enough to be warned of the investigation by my supervisor, SFC John West, a gruff Sgt. Major in the Public Affairs Office, thus giving me time to scheme my way out of the charge during the interrogation, where they actually read me my rights.
However, one of characters in this book was not so fortunate. The deception and interrogation scene early in this book is similar to what happened to me. I was ordered to the CID office to 'do a story' on them for the division newspaper. Of course, that was a trap. There was no story.
Unlike the character in the book, I was prepared and not caught off guard because my boss tipped me off to the deception, allowing me 24 hours to devise a fake plan. So no, I didn't confess, nor did I turn in my friends. I was only 22 years old.
If hadn't experienced that interrogation, a horrible, terrifying memory, indeed, I wouldn't have believed the premise of this story myself.
I was an Army journalist stationed with the First Armored Division in Germany in the early 1980s. I briefly dated a nurse for only about a month. That 'hookup' nearly proved fatal to my military career because she ended up turning me in. This triggered an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). I was charged with performing "lewd and lascivious acts."
I was fortunate enough to be warned of the investigation by my supervisor, SFC John West, a gruff Sgt. Major in the Public Affairs Office, thus giving me time to scheme my way out of the charge during the interrogation, where they actually read me my rights.
However, one of characters in this book was not so fortunate. The deception and interrogation scene early in this book is similar to what happened to me. I was ordered to the CID office to 'do a story' on them for the division newspaper. Of course, that was a trap. There was no story.
Unlike the character in the book, I was prepared and not caught off guard because my boss tipped me off to the deception, allowing me 24 hours to devise a fake plan. So no, I didn't confess, nor did I turn in my friends. I was only 22 years old.
If hadn't experienced that interrogation, a horrible, terrifying memory, indeed, I wouldn't have believed the premise of this story myself.
- Sept. 16, 2012 - Read an update on the state of the ban.
- Read about gay service members now receiving benefits.
- I retired from the 180th Fighter Wing, a Air National Guard unit in Swanton, Ohio, in July 2000.
- Nov. 8, 2015 - this is the date my dependents (family) finally received their military ID cards because I have since legally married my longtime partner, Dana Hatfield.
