After 18 years, don’t ask, don’t tell has finally been repealed forever. Although, President Obama had signed an initial repeal back in December.

President Obama said, “As of today, Americans who want to serve the country they love will no longer have to lie about who they love.”

Don’t ask, don’t tell was the military policy that kept openly gay and lesbian personnel from serving in the military since 1993. More than 13,000 openly gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual personnel have been dismissed from the military since the policy took effect.

For weeks before the final repeal, the military had been accepting applications from openly gay recruits.

With the lift of this ban, the Defense Department plan to publish altered rules to reflect on the new law. The lifting of the ban also brings a stalemate to all undecided investigations, dismissals and other proceedings that were started under the law.

Some in Congress still oppose the repeal but the overall consensus from top Pentagon leaders is that this repeal will in no way undermine the military’s ability to recruit or fight wars.

With this new found freedom, Randy Phillips was able to come out to his family. Stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Phillips always remained closeted until Monday night. Phillips had kept an anonymous journal of his story on Youtube and the video of him coming out to his father gave a rare look into the bravery men and women like him possess.

“I called my dad to tell him the hardest thing gay guys will ever have to say,” read the description on the video.

“My hearts beating like crazy,” he said, as he nervously awaited for his father to pick-up.

They exchange the usual hellos. Phillips continues the conversation by asking his father questions of assurance that he’ll always love him.

With those affirmations from his father, Phillips tells his dad he’s gay. There’s a pause on the other line and after a few seconds, his dad tells him,  “I still love you son. This doesn’t change our relationship, you hear me?”

Phillips video was posted in anticipation of the repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell. The video has already attracted more than 13,000 subscribers and more than two million views within the last few months.

If you would like to view the video go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVAgz6iyK6A

Source: ABC News and NY Times