After 23 years of service, I was told I no longer met the definition of “military excellence.” I asked myself a question: Was it worth it?

Thanks to the @capitals.bsky.social for having me to the game tonight as part of their Salute to Service on Pride Night!

This week, Pete Hegseth visited Elon Musk at SpaceX’s launch base in Texas. Musk opened the public remarks by saying, “It's like we want to make Star Trek real, ok?” Hegseth agreed, “How about this? Star Trek, real.” I have some thoughts on how wrong they are. open.substack.com/pub/breefram...

This is horrifying. Another attack by the administration on the most vulnerable Americans. "Nonprofits across red and blue states received the letters, which did not explain how their programs went against the administration’s priorities, Cunningham said." wapo.st/4pHYLV7

If you're looking for a sense of hope, it was palpable in this conversation. "When asked what to do now, (Bree's) answer was disarmingly practical: do the boring things that make democracy work, and don’t comply in advance."

This Atlantic article feels like an obituary to a government whose purpose was to serve the American people. I was one of the fifty former federal workers profiled for the story. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...

I'll be live for an interview on a wide range of topics at 10 Eastern today. Then for the second half of the show, Anne P. Mitchell, will be on to discuss the brand-new lawsuit Minnesota just filed against Kristi Noem and ICE. open.substack.com/live-stream/...

The latest attempt by this administration to line its own pockets while fleecing yours.

Isn’t it weird how the whole “masks are tyranny” crowd from a few years ago is now fully in on masked secret police tyrants?

"Our uniforms are not coming off because we failed in our duty, but because we did it so well that the blazing starfire of what it represented could not be hidden away." www.advocate.com/news/transge...

Crackdowns Are Wrong—Unless We Do Them

I’ve spent most of my adult life thinking about what security actually means. I often come back to the phrase “sense of security,” which really just means: I feel safe. So, what happens when the institutions meant to keep us safe become a source of fear instead? open.substack.com/pub/breefram...

Live today at 1PM Eastern. www.youtube.com/watch?v=G58H...

This ceremony is unprecedented—not because our careers fell short, but because we shined so brightly in a military that cast us aside. Tomorrow at 1PM Eastern. Watch live.

Women earned their place in combat with determination and results. Claiming otherwise isn’t about readiness, it’s about power, control, and macho posturing. At home or abroad, including striking Venezuela, the message is the same: the powerful can do whatever they choose. www.npr.org/2026/01/06/n...

Today the Pentagon censured Senator Mark Kelly and moved to strip part of his earned military retirement benefits for stating the truth. This administration is trying to convince Americans that truth is whatever it says it is—even when the evidence is plainly in front of us.

New Year’s Eve. Last day in the military. I wiped away the tears. Then I told jokes. I know a thing or two about transition. Turns out laughter is a pretty good one. 🎤 substack.com/@breefram/no...

I'm excited to be one of the emcees at the Women's Storytelling festival in Fairfax this year. Hope to see you there! 2026 Women's Storytelling Festival March 19 - 22, 2026 In Fairfax City, VA as well as online $35 Virtual Tickets and $55 In-Person Passes here: bettersaidthandone.org/wsf-tickets/

Action Without Wisdom Is Not Strength: Venezuela and the Doctrine of Spectacle Over Strategy Note: I wrote this article before the press conference where everything said by Trump, Rubio and Hegseth illustrates these points. open.substack.com/pub/breefram...

In 2025, the Trump Administration struck us down. In 2026…

Today is the last day I have the honor and privilege of serving in the military. I spent a lot of time thinking about what moment best captures my service. What could possibly sum it all up? For me, it’s this single picture from my time as a commander.

They served. They led. They made the force stronger. These are heroes—not because of who they are, but because of how they served. They are just a few who stepped forward to defend all Americans. They were trained to lead—and they will continue to serve. They are not the last.

I took my daughter grocery shopping today and said, "these ducks look like footballs, should we get one to play catch?" She said, "Only if I can decorate it with whipped cream." I couldn't resist. "Don't you mean duckorate it?" She hit me with a nearby stick of pepperoni.

I just had my “Final Out” with the military. It's the thing that’s supposed to be the last step before you ride off into the sunset. Mine was a 90-second phone call. Two questions. My answers were: “No, I don’t,” and “Yes, I did.” I can't wait to share what's next with you.

There are a lot of things I'd like to say about this that would have to wait a few weeks. So, for now, I'll just ask a question: In what world does this make sense? www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/b...

The Department of Defense just changed all my records to say “male.” But here’s the thing: a database entry does not define me.

Whether traveling to exotic locations or finding them in your backyard, I'm reminded how lucky we are to live on this beautiful spaceship. Even in a wildly turbulent year, there’s still so much to give thanks for. Photo: Burke Lake Park, Fairfax County Park Authority, S. Patton

Thinking about our guardsmen who are doing their duty to the best of their ability. No harm should be directed at them regardless of what anyone thinks of the reasons they are there. They are our friends and neighbors, period.

A clean shave won’t win a war. But outdated standards can cost us the talent to fight one. I'm thrilled Jessica Ruttenber, a powerful change agent, agreed to co-author this piece with me. Readiness isn't built with a razor. Or a bun. Or banning identity. open.substack.com/pub/breefram...

Wow. Despite the help I received this morning from one of the creatures I foolishly hired as Chief Work Prevention Officers, I finished the first draft of my memoir. Coming in at a whopping 171,000 words, it's more than twice as long as any of my previous books.

It's my Penultimate Forged in Fire episode! With Erica Vogel, who wears vulnerability like a favorite leather jacket, we talk about leading while protecting your peace. Erica turns every moment into a chance to connect through shared experience. 🎧 Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/2ZSf...

Sabrina is just one of the incredibly talented, highly trained Virginians in the military promoted for meritorious achievement who’s being kicked out for existing as a trans person under this administration. She earned everything she achieved. Firing her is effing dumb. richmond.com/opinion/colu...

Chicago friends: I’ll be in Naperville tomorrow for Transgender Day of Remembrance. We’ll gather to honor those we’ve lost... and to remind each other to fight like hell for the living. main-stream.org/events/trans...

There are thousands of service members who happen to be trans. Despite being labeled undisciplined, dishonorable, liars who lack humility in an executive order and "toxic identity garbage" by the Secretary of Defense, they have served with honor and distinction. These are their stories.

What an honor to have been on the same team as people like MSgt Sabrina Bruce!

Today the Supreme Court declined to revisit marriage equality. In a year when so many rights have been chipped away, this constitutional promise held... and millions of families can breathe a little easier. apnews.com/article/supr...

Countless prosecutions hinge on the credibility of the arresting officer. Public safety demands the highest standards of truthfulness and accountability. Cameras protect everyone involved by creating an objective record and deterring misconduct or false allegations. www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...

Thank you to every poll worker and election professional who showed up early, stayed late, and kept the process fair and accessible. Your volunteer spirit, kindness, and integrity power our democracy.

It's not of my choosing, but this is my last non-partisan election day. I'm excited for this exhausting limbo to end soon, but until then you get one last publicly neutral, "Go vote!"

Want to strengthen your written voice? I’m hosting an online workshop benefiting @missionbelonging.bsky.social supporting vets, military families & healthcare workers. 📅 Nov 13 7–8:30 PM ET We’ll explore how to motivate, connect, & communicate with impact. 🎟 www.eventbrite.com/e/communicat...

Happy Halloween from four-year-old me. Yeah, I always knew. I wanted to be Wonder Woman — strong, kind, and brave enough to fight for truth, justice, and the American way. Back then, I thought it was a costume. But it’s who I am, and who I aspire to be. Well… maybe with fewer stars on my shorts.

I'll be moderating a panel on Saturday featuring distinguished transgender service members whose careers are being cut short. Don’t miss this vital conversation! 🗓️ Panel at 2PM on Nov 1 | Part of the DISSENT exhibition (Through Nov 9) at Atrium Artspace in Baltimore

Trans service members deserve a little cheer. 💌 PintaPride is sending heartfelt thank-you cards; reminders that their service mattered as they face dismissal. Want to help send love? Or receive a card yourself? To Write: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... To Receive: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

My last military crew was S5R; said properly, S5Arrgh! We were the pirates. We even planned a pirate-themed party this spring, and I had my costume ready to board ship. But before the revelry began, the government made me walk the plank. I didn't get to share another round of laughter with the crew.

See you in San Diego? Join us in celebrating the legacies of some incredible veterans and how our service doesn't end when we take off the uniform. 🔗 RSVP: bit.ly/VWOH-2025 📨 Questions? Email [email protected]

For a nation that was assigned British at birth, we seem to have a strange problem with trans people.

Context: if this is somehow determined to be legal, it is approximately 1/60th of the $8 billion required for a single pay period. www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/p...

The United States should be a beacon to refugees, not a source of them. time.com/7327131/tran...

East Wing Memories