Jase Daniels

Jase Daniels (born Jason Daniel Knight, July 18, 1982) is a former United States Navy Hebrew linguist who was discharged from the military twice under the law known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Daniels served from 2001–2005 and again from 2006-2007. After coming out publicly in the Stars and Stripes newspaper, Daniels publicly challenged the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy which forbids lesbian, gay and bisexual service members from serving openly. Daniels was featured in a Newsweek article September 27, 2010 and on September 4, 2011 in the New York Times expressing interest in returning to Active Duty. Daniels reaccessed back to active duty in the United States Navy on December 12, 2011 and is believed to be one of, if not the first, service member to return to active duty post-Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Early life
Daniels grew up in Wallingford, Pennsylvania where he spent his childhood in and out of foster care and between the custody of his parents John and Theresa who divorced when he was 5 years old. Despite his rough upbringing, he excelled in arts and sciences at Strath Haven Middle School and won an award for excellence in volunteerism and community service from the Rotary Club. Daniels graduated from Chichester High School in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania in 2000.

Military career
Daniels enlisted into the United States Navy on April 4, 2001. He served his first two years in the Navy Ceremonial Guard where he was one of the first group of people to qualify for the Navy Ceremonial Guard Ribbon. Daniels then studied Hebrew at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California and graduated in December 2004. Daniels was then transferred to Fort Gordon, Georgia where discharge proceedings under Don't Ask, Don't Tell began after outing himself when he submitted annulment paperwork to his command.

Daniels was recalled back to Active Duty June 2006 and served a year in Kuwait with the Navy Customs Battalion Romeo. During his deployment, Daniels claims to have served openly to his command without issue. He was discharged again under Don't Ask, Don't Tell at the end of his tour when he was featured on the cover of Stars and Stripes newspaper chronicling his life about serving in the Armed Forces as an openly gay man.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Daniels was reinstated into the United States Navy on December 12, 2011. The Navy Times details more of Daniels' re-enlsitment stating that he processed in at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), San Jose, CA on December 12 and then went on to Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes IL for further in-processing.

"I am humbled as I am reinstated to the job I love and by the enormous support I have received on this momentous day,” Daniels said after taking his oath. “I look forward to returning to the Defense Language Institute and ultimately, my career in the military."

Daniels transferred back to the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California for Persian instruction in early January 2012.