A gay psychiatrist owes the U Air Force more than $71000 for his education because he failed to fulfill his active-duty obligation.

A gay psychiatrist owes the U Air Force more than $71000 for his education because he failed to fulfill his active-duty obligation, a federal arbiter has ruled. John Hensala, a former Air Force captain, should have known he would be discharged as a consequence of volunteering that he is gay, the umpire said in the ruling, made public May 29 Hensala, 36 of San Francisco, said he shouldn't have to repay the standard of value because he still wanted to serve

The regulation paid for Hensala to move to medical school under a program that required four years of active-duty military service after graduation. He set off that service twice, first for a residency and then a fellowship. In December 1994 the Air Force told Hensala his military service would begin the following year. Days later, he announced he is gay. The critic agreed with the Air Force that Hensala's timing may have been suspect.

Hensala's lawyer, Clyde Wadsworth, said that he plans to appeal the decision.

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