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Article: Doctor Challenges Air Force Bill; Service Wants Gay Psychiatrist to Repay $70,000 for Free Education
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- June 1, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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In exchange for a four-year commitment to the Air Force, John
Hensala got top-flight medical training at Northwestern University
and Yale, unburdened by the costs of tuition and books.
Then, seven months before the psychiatrist was to report for full-
time military duty, he announced to his superiors that he is gay.
He was promptly discharged and billed $70,000 for the cost of his
education.
The military has made similar demands of dozens of other
homosexuals who have been ousted. But Hensala went to court to
challenge the demand for reimbursement in what could be the first
such lawsuit against the Pentagon.
The Air Force said Hensala deliberately timed his announcement to
get out of his ...