By TIM HAECK
KIRO Radio

An Air Force nurse, kicked out of the military because she's a lesbian told a judge on Monday she wants her job back.

Former Major Margaret Witt testified at a trial at the U.S. Courthouse in Tacoma, challenging her discharge from the Air Force Reserve in 2004. On the witness stand, the 46-year old graduate of Tacoma's Curtis High School said she misses "being the one the soldier looks at and I can do something." She told the judge "I'm not complete and it kills me not to be there for them."

Witt was a decorated flight nurse and was serving with a reserve squadron at McChord Air Force Base when she learned she was under investigation. Witt dabbed away tears as she recalled the day in November 2004 when a superior officer appeared at her office door and escorted her to a conference room where her commanding officer told her she was being suspended for homosexual conduct.

Witt testified a superior asked her about her relationship with a woman and she said the woman was her roommate. Witt says she declined to say more.

"I was shocked I was asked anything at all. I knew I didn't have to say anything; they couldn't ask and I wasn't supposed to tell," testified Witt, referring to the military's "don't ask don't tell policy regarding gays and lesbians in the service.

Military attorneys claim Witt violated that policy by having sex with one woman and committing adultery with another woman.

As she concluded her testimony, the judge asked Witt what she lost when she received an honorable discharge after 18 years of active duty and reserve duty. Witt told the judge she lost pay, promotion, health care and retirement pay, too, having been dismissed two years short of retirement eligibility.

"It's like I was never there," she said.

Military attorneys are expected to present their case starting Tuesday and closing arguments are planned for later in the week.

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