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Lesbian earns Major General rank, becomes highest ranking out officer

Lesbian earns Major General rank, becomes highest ranking out officer

U.S. Air Force Reserve Major General Patricia “Trish” Rose has became the U.S. military’s highest ranking openly gay officer.

Rose’s promotion ceremony was held on May 31, led by her direct supervisor, General Janet Wolfenbarger, the first female four-star general in the United States Air Force. With a small crowd in attendance, Rose’s wife, retired Naval officer Julie Roth, pinned her second star.

Maj. Gen. Patricia Rose

Rose is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

A logistician, she’s served assignments in both aircraft maintenance and transportation in seven different commands. Her reserve assignments include command of the 36th Aerial Port Squadron at McChord AFB, Washington, where her squadron won the dual distinction of being selected for an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Air Mobility Command’s Total Force Air Reserve Component Aerial Port Unit of the Year.

“Our congratulations go out to Major General Rose and Lieutenant Roth, both for General Rose’s promotion and for their integrity in being honest and open about who they are,” said Allyson Robinson, Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director.

“These are our core values, and they set an example for our troops that it is our courage and our diversity that make us strong,” said Robinson.

Rose and Roth were legally married in their home state of Washington after same-sex marriage became legal in the state last year.

In her civilian capacity, Rose is the public relations and marketing director for a local hospital.

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