HOUSTON, TX – Petty Officer First Class Roy Connolly, a Coast Guard training instructor at Sector Houston-Galveston recently came out publicly as a “Coast Guardian” and insisted you exclusively refer to him as such out of respect for him and his faith journey.

A Dallas native, Connolly was born into a traditional Navy family. But confusing feelings soon arose for the youngest of five children, all of whom are now Trusty Shellbacks except for Connolly.

And he told you ALL about it.

“As a child, I felt different. I knew that I was not who I was told I was. I was born a Navy brat, so identifying as a Coast Guardian has put me at odds with my family. None of them talk to me anymore,” said a tearful Connolly as you silently nodded and looked for a graceful exit.