Rob Smith

Writing a memoir wasn’t something that Rob Smith had in mind when he first enlisted to fight in the Iraq War. But after years of experiencing first hand what it meant to be a black, gay solider, he felt he had a story that needed to be told.

“So many military memoirs are written by straight, white dudes that I thought maybe it was time for something a bit different,” Smith explains.

Closets, Combat and Coming Out, which is available on Amazon and in New York at the Bureau of General Services: Queer Division, delves into Smith’s experience coming to terms with his sexuality amid the hyper-masculine culture of the U.S. Army. From infantry training to his work protesting DADT, the memoir examines what it’s really like for gay men to serve in the military today.

“I hope people will take away a deeper understanding and compassion for gay service members in the past, present and future.”

Choose one in each grouping:

Workout Regimen: Cardio, Free Weights, Sports, Home Training
Cardio and free weights. No workout routine is complete without an equal amount of both!

Government-Themed Show: House of Cards, Veep, Scandal, Homeland
House of Cards. Scandal is Melrose Place in D.C., Homeland fell off in Season 3 and Veep is slight, but House Of Cards is expertly plotted, extremely well acted, and completely absorbing.

Short Answer:

What policies do you think still need to be changed in the US Army?
There is still no nondiscrimination policy protecting LGB soldiers in the Army. So, legally, they really have no recourse from being discriminated against based on their sexual orientation. Also, there is still no open service allowed from transgender soldiers (though this is being studied now).

Was there anything that you had to think twice about including in the memoir?
Honestly, no. When I decided that this book was going to be about truth and honesty and not some vanity project about what an awesome guy I was, it freed me from the fear of worrying what people would think. But there is some pretty intimate stuff about my sexual history in the book, and that can make for awkward conversation with people at signings and such.

What’s your go-to drink?
Vodka soda, Lots of lime.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in New York?
Harlem. I’ve lived in my neighborhood for five years. I love the energy, love all the great new restaurants that are always popping up, and I love how integrated the gays are with the “new” Harlem scene. Of course, there are a few gay bars up here, but you can see gay people mingling with the hets at most, if not all, of the new Harlem hotspots. It seems very ahead of the curve in that way.

What would be your message to gay men serving in the military today?
You are pioneers, you are being watched, so remember to serve with honor and pride.

Are there any trends in the armed services that worry you?
The continued cover-up of the sexual assault epidemic in the armed forces, and this is against women and men. That is a battle that is still being fought and doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

What are some other good books about the military you’d recommend?
Alexander Nicholson wrote a book called Fighting To Serve about all the behind-the-scenes work that went into getting DADT repealed in 2010. It’s a really good historical document about what was going on at the time for people who don’t really know.

Were there environments that you experienced in the military that were not homophobic?
I must say that my deployment to Iraq wasn’t a very homophobic environment at all. When everyone is trying to survive and ensure that the guy next to you gets back home safe and sound, there’s very little room for division based on things like race and sexual orientation.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“If there is a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”—Toni Morrison

What’s the most played song on your iPod?
“Compton ft. Dr. Dre” by Kendrick Lamar

What do you think is most people’s biggest misconception about serving in the military?
That people choose to serve because they are bloodthirsty, violent, or mentally unstable. For people that aren’t born into wealth or even into the middle class, it can be a excellent way to get an education and to better your life. Of course, that brings up class issues that I deal with in the book, but as a first-generation college graduate I can honestly say that my service played a huge role in the life that I’m able to live today.