USNA Out

Ward Olivete '95

USNA ’95

Homepage:

Ward and buddies
after the color parade

Ward Olivete spent the first 18 years of his life near the Pacific Ocean in Salinas, California. He was a good-natured, church-going, tennis-playing kid whose wanderlust and desire to serve led him to the Naval Academy. “Join the Navy, see the world” they told him and off he went.

Ward’s plebe year introduced him to those whom remain his closest friends still today. He kept busy as a Systems Engineering major while rowing lightweight crew and singing in the Glee Club. Four years seemed to fly by as chow calls blurred into summer cruises, the Ring Dance and Commissioning Week. With his eyesight too poor for flight operations (and LASIK not yet an option), Ward accepted a cross commission into the Air Force.

Ward Olivete '95
Flight Commander
564th Missile Squadron
Malmstrom AFB, MT

From Annapolis, Ward headed west for training at Vandenberg AFB in California. After kicking back for several weeks on California’s central coast, he traveled to Big Sky country where he spent the next four and a half years as a Missileer (ICBM Launch Control Officer) at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana. There, Ward attained personal satisfaction and professional success. Days off were spent traveling, hiking and camping with friends and his two Siberian huskies, as well as earning an MBA. On the job, Ward earned one of the three operational Flight Commander positions in his squadron (Deuce!). After five years on active duty, he decided that other opportunities awaited him in the civilian world.

Driving away to views of a miraculous sunset caused by wildfires, Ward returned to California and took a job for a cancer diagnostics laboratory. But his yearning for new challenges was not being satisfied and he decided to head to Boston for law school. Beantown proved to be a crucial turning point for Ward. It was during law school that he came out at the age of 30. Moreover, he had the opportunity to spend seven months in London as he learned the true meaning of self-acceptance.

Upon graduating, Ward once again packed up and headed to his present-day home in New York. Life in the big city, while challenging at times, is wonderfully exciting and stimulating. He currently lives in vibrant Hell’s Kitchen and works as a litigator. When not experiencing the uniqueness that is New York, Ward endeavors to remain active in the community and supports organizations such as LAMBDA Legal, The Human Rights Campaign and Immigration Equality. Although New York feels like home, he did pass the California bar and does not rule out an eventual return “home.” Time will tell…

From Ward:

“I did not come to terms with my sexuality while I was in the military, but like many, struggled constantly with it as I served my country. Although I think that life would certainly have been easier had I attended a civilian college and come out at an earlier age, I would not trade my Academy or military service for anything. I feel so fortunate to have served with innumerable selfless, motivated and talented men and women, and likewise proud to have defended the freedom and rights that so many take for granted.

I feel especially blessed for my amazing 14th Company classmates from the Academy. I was a bit apprehensive when I decided to come out to them. Indeed, they were (and are) my family. To their credit, all were loving and supportive and they give me great hope and confidence that gays in the military will be a non-issue in the near future. I look forward to playing an active role as we work to make that future a reality.”

Please feel free to contact Ward here at USNA Out.