Copyright 1993 by UPI.
Reposted with permission from the ClariNet Electronic Newspaper newsgroup
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	CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (UPI) -- A career noncommissioned officer once
named ``Marine of the Year'' was recommended for a discharge Wednesday
after he proclaimed he was homosexual on national television.
	The decision by a five-member hearing panel concerning Marine Sgt.
Justin Elzie will be forwarded through the chain of command to the
secretary of the Navy.
	Ultimately, his fate likely will be decided by the Clinton
administration, which is seeking to overturn the military's longstanding
ban on homosexuals in the armed services.
	Elzie, 30, was named ``Marine of the Year'' among Marines who were
stationed on Okinawa in 1989. He announced on ``ABC World News Tonight''
on Jan. 29 that he was a homosexual. Originally from Cheyenne, Wyo., he
has been a Marine for 11 years.
	On the eve of the hearing, Elzie spoke as part of the University of
North Carolina's Lesbian and Gay Awareness Week at Chapel Hill.
	``I've got nothing to hide. I have an outstanding career behind me,''
he said. ``If they recommend discharge, they are only embarrassing
themselves. My record is clear.''
	Elzie has been a supply chief stationed the past year at Camp
Lejeune, home to 40,000 Marines. He has served on security details at U.
S. embassies in Finland and Egypt and consistently received outstanding
evaluations.
	The administrative board, comprised of three officers and two
enlisted men, heard from three witnesses, including Elzie.
	Speaking for five to 10 minutes, Elzie recounted his service in the
Marine Corps, noted his performance had been evaluated favorably by his
peers, and argued he should be allowed to remain in the military.
	Board members questioned the witnesses, and attorneys for both sides
also entered into the record a number of documents to bolster their
cases, including news articles, scientific studies and opinions by
various experts.
	The government's case for dismissal was presented by Maj. Robert
Brekenridge, and Elzie was represented by two civilian attorneys from
Washington, D.C., Lanny Brewer and Allen Moore. The board's vote, which
was not disclosed, capped a nine-hour proceeding.
	The Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga.,
is hearing testimony this week on the proposal by President Clinton.