The Army implemented a comprehensive HIV characterization program in 2012 following repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy banning openly homosexual individuals from serving in the United States military. Program staff administered a standardized case report form (CRF) to soldiers newly-diagnosed with HIV from 2012 to 2014 in compliance with new program requirements. The CRF documented socio-demographic, sexual and other risk behavior information elicited from Army regulation-mandated epidemiologic interviews at initial HIV notification. A majority of HIV-infected soldiers were male and of black/African American racial origin. In the HIV risk period, male soldiers commonly reported male-male sexual contact, civilian partners, online partner-seeking, unprotected anal sex, and expressed surprise at having a positive HIV result. DADT repeal allows for risk screening and reduction interventions targeting a newly-identifiable risk category in the Army. At risk populations need to be identified and assessed for possible unmet health needs.This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial No Derivatives 3.0 License, which permits downloading and sharing the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially.