Kristin Beck: The Original Warrior Princess  

Kristin Beck served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy SEALs. She took part in 13 deployments, including seven combat deployments. She served with SEAL Team 1. She was a member of the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (also known as DEVGRU), a special counter-terrorism unit popularly called SEAL Team Six, and received multiple military awards and decorations, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Beck retired from the Navy in 2011 with a final rating as Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator.  

After her retirement, Kristin began her transition process. Public coming out in 2013, she received several messages of support from her former military colleagues. Kristin’s stated that looking back her one regret is not coming out during her military career because “No one ever met the real me.” Kristin became an advocate for transgender service members by bringing to light that while the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was repealed in 2011, the ban on openly transgender people serving in the U.S. armed forces remained. To further aid transgender individuals across the country Kristin co-wrote Warrior Princess. A publication integrating many of Kristin’s coping mechanisms that she used while on the SEALs and applying them to living as a gender diverse Veteran.  

Beck quotes in her book: “I do not believe a soul has a gender, but my new path is making my soul complete and happy…I hope my journey sheds some light on the human experience.” Kristin Beck has made a huge difference in the lives of Transgender service members everywhere. For this final week of LGBT History Month, I challenge you to reflect on all the stories and journeys expressed throughout this month and take some time to feel PRIDE in the work we do.