Daniels grew up in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, where he spent his childhood in and out of foster care and between the custody of his parents John and Theresa who divorced when he was five years old.

In May 2007, he was profiled by Stars and Stripes in a cover story that chronicled his life serving in the Armed Forces as an openly gay man.

[4] He campaigned publicly for an end to DADT and told Newsweek he thought returning to service would go smoothly: "People like me can be integrated back as well as any other person.

"[1] As the DADT policy was nearing its end in September 2011, he told the New York Times he wanted to resume his Navy career, learn Persian, and become an officer.

He joined a lawsuit that attempted to require reinstatement of those discharged under DADT at their former rank, though it was thought to have little success given the reshaping of the U.S. military in these years.

[8][9] After taking his oath he told reporters: I am humbled as I am reinstated to the job I love and by the enormous support I have received on this momentous day.