Air Force Academy Under Fire for Controversial Employee

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation is calling on the Air Force Academy to “immediately terminate” an employee it says once advocated for gay conversion, according to a Nov. 19 letter addressed to Acting Air Force Secretary Eric Fanning. Specifically, the organization takes issue with the fact that Mike Rosebush, who is an operations research analyst at the Academy’s Center for Character and Leadership Development, once worked for several organizations known for anti-gay activism and is now involved with a course that teaches “honorable living,” according to a release from Truth Wins Out, a national advocacy organization that mainly challenges “ex-gay” therapy. Academy spokesman Maj. Brus Vidal told the Daily Report Rosebush was hired for his “leadership development and analytical skills.” Vidal also disputed allegations the Academy does not support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) cadets. “Several cadets have told me they are frustrated with the articles disparaging USAFA [because they] do not take into account the extensive support our LGBQ cadets have received from Academy leadership or the reality of the Academy’s inclusive environment,” said Capt. Michelle Reinstatler, an Academy instructor, in a release.