From the Margins: Session Two (Spring 2025)

Examining Military Service From the Margins

Veterans, active service members, and civilians are invited to contribute to the “Examining Military Service From the Margins” virtual discussion series. Facilitated by pairs of Discussion Leaders, each session will use guiding questions, and a set of core-shared resources like oral histories and films, to better understand how race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, and other factors have caused the military service of some individuals to be devalued or limited in some capacity. All Discussion Leaders are either active service members or Veterans.

Consideration of central topics and themes, and discussion of key moments from military history, such as self-emancipation among the U.S. Colored Troops members in the Civil War, or the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell more recently, will spark greater conversations about service, democracy, citizenship, equality and more. Additional resources will be offered for those with extra time wanting to explore even further.

What you can expect from this series:

• Discussion Leaders, Veterans, active service members, and civilians will share information on military service, as well as talk about personal experiences and perspectives.
• Each session will have a resource list of articles, books, and organizations to help you gain a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.
• Engage in small and large group discussions online.

Session Two: How has the military service of certain populations been hidden devalued, limited, or discriminated against?

Session Two of “Examining Military Service From the Margins” will build upon the discussion from the previous session and consider the guiding question, “How has the military service of certain populations been hidden, devalued, limited, or discriminated against?”

Registration Required

This series is in partnership with the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC). Register through the MHC website.

Register for all sessions in the Examining Military Service From the Margins series.

Discussion Leaders

Shep Austad (he/him) is an Officer and a Prior Service National Guardsmember for the State of Minnesota. His service has been characterized by his work advocating for his co-enlisted be they victims of Sexual Harassment in the ranks, managing the balance and hardships of civilian/military service, or finding their voice as a fellow LGBT+ soldier.

Lori James retired from the military in 2017 after serving for over 30 years. She enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard and later transferred to the Minnesota National Guard where she transitioned from an Enlisted soldier to an Officer. When she transferred to the United States Army Reserves (USAR) she continued to experience many changes in military policy. She completed basic training under the Women’s Army Corp, and experienced the effects of Women in Combat and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policies. With changes in military policy and the federal repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Lori’s wife was able to participate in her retirement ceremony and received spousal recognition. Lori culminated her military career as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. Lori’s civilian career included earning a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. She retired from St. Paul Public Schools in 2019 after 34 years of teaching.

Bronson Lemer served as a carpenter in the Army National Guard for six years, including deployments to Kosovo in 2000 and Iraq in 2003. He is the author of “The Last Deployment: How a Gay, Hammer-Swinging Twentysomething Survived a Year in Iraq.” In 2019, he was named a McKnight Writing Fellow. He lives in St. Paul and teaches writing at the University of Minnesota, Rochester.

Kristin Ohrt is currently serving in the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Commander for Golf Company 134 Brigade Support Battalion. She has served for 17 years. Kristin joined as enlisted and commissioned in 2012 and currently holds the rank of Captain. She is also a full-time technician for the Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs Office as the Community Relations Officer. Captain Ohrt deployed in 2021-2022 in support of Operation Spartan Shield with Task Force 1 of the 194 Armor Battalion and served as the Battalion Logistics Planning Officer. She has spent her career trying to make changes in the formation and improve the lives of those who she serves with and those under her command. Kristin also is a mother of two, and one of her children is on the Autism spectrum and has been navigating the waters into advocating for her daughter and her needs to help her be successful.

Questions?

Contact the Network for Educational Development.