Distinguished Veteran

NEWS FROM THE UW COMMUNITY

MARC PISCOTTY

Born to Serve

Michael Kilmer helped lead the repeal of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ military policy By Rachel Gallaher

Michael Kilmer credits the UW’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion for giving him the courage to come out and advocate for the values he treasures in everything he does. Twenty years ago, it would have been easy—and understandable—for Michael Kilmer to turn his back on the armed forces. At 32 and with a lauded 14-year career in a Seattle-based unit of the Coast Guard, the young yeoman was on the verge of being promoted to officer when he disclosed that he was gay. Kilmer was forced out of the Coast Guard in 2002 as part of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” military policy that resulted in the discharge of an estimated 14,000 non-heterosexual service members during the years it was in place. Instead of wallowing in self-pity or turning bitter toward the institution, Kilmer decided to take action, becoming highly involved in the movement to repeal and replace the policy—which finally happened in 2011. In the two decades since his discharge, Kilmer dedicated his life to helping those who have served, holding several leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he currently serves more than 100,000 veterans as director and CEO of VA for the Eastern Colorado Health Care System.

“I bear no resentment toward the Coast Guard,” Kilmer says. “I loved my time there, and I still live by the Coast Guard values: honor, respect, devotion to duty. Those values lead nicely to working for the VA, where I believe we have an honorable mission. Regardless of how someone feels about how we use our military, the people who serve are our brothers and sisters, our friends and neighbors, and they deserve a community when they come back home.”

Kilmer, ’01, ’04, is the 2022 recipient of the University of Washington’s Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award, which recognizes a living UW alumnus veteran who has made a positive impact on the local, national, or international community. Aside from his Coast Guard service and work at the VA, Kilmer founded the American Veterans for Equal Rights in Seattle in the early 2000s and has dedicated countless hours to volunteerism, especially for causes supporting children and teens.

“I think we should all strive to better understand the people around us,” he says. “For our society to thrive, everyone should engage in service in some way—it doesn’t have to be the military. There are many ways give back.”

After his honorable discharge, Kilmer enrolled in the UW School of Social Work (he had completed his bachelor’s degree through UW Tacoma’s Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences program) with plans to eventually open a private practice. For one of his internships, Kilmer landed at the VA Puget Sound—the VA is the nation’s largest trainer of health-care professionals—and realized he had a passion for serving those who had served the country.

“If someone has given the oath to serve,” he says, “we owe them support and services when they return.”

Kilmer has helped others wherever he goes. From veterans and their families to the staff members he mentors, Kilmer recognizes the beauty and resilience of the human spirit in each person he meets. He developed a nationally recognized care-management program for returning post-9/11 combat veterans with the VA San Diego Healthcare System and implemented the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program nationally. In 2014, Kilmer received the UW School of Social Work’s inaugural Early Career Achievement Award.

“I don’t think I would have come out in the Coast Guard if it wasn’t for UW,” Kilmer reflects. “My experience in the UW community, with its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion—that really gave me the courage to not only come out but to also advocate for those values in everything I do.”

Call for Nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for two awards and for positions on the UW Alumni Association Board of Trustees. You are invited to nominate individuals for: Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus(ASLD), the highest honor bestowed upon a UW graduate. It recognizes a legacy of service and achievement.

Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award

(DTLA), which recognizes UW teachers who inspired and influenced their students both in and outside the classroom. Nominations are due by Jan. 31. uwalum.com/awards/

The UWAA is also seeking nominations to serve on its Board of Trustees, the alumni association’s governing body. For more information, visit UWalum.com/board.