Choi told Political that “Going back to the military will be a vindication. [I’m] going back because I fought to go back. The seriousness of our claims was not just political theater — it was really drawn from our lives.

I sacrificed so much so I could go back.”

Choi became a gay rights icon after the West Point grad told television host Rachel Maddow that he was gay back in March 2009. His resulting military discharge galvanized opposition to DADT which allowed for gay individuals to be removed from service. Choi’s activism led to trouble with the law, and he was later arrested for chaining himself to the White House fence during a protest.

Choi said that he had been unsure about whether he should re-enlist but eventually concluded that it was important to show the seriousness of his actions.