[1][2] He was a member of the Gay Men's Chorus of Honolulu and competed at the professional level of bodybuilding, placing fourth in fall 2015.
[3] Ortega executed over 400 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, "and fought side-by-side in foxholes and remote operating bases.
"[1] Ortega noted that in a combat zone his gender identity made little difference, as he was expected to carry his own equipment and do his job—lives counted on it.
[2] Military regulations used to deem "any proclamation of a transgender identity or gender-affirming clinical treatment to be evidence of a mental illness that makes one unfit to serve" according to The Advocate.
He co-founded support organizations and lobbied with legislators, often using his open own personal experiences and performance record to help advance the cause for transgender and LGBT service members.