"Air Force Changes Policy on Discharging of Transgender Troops"

RallyPoint Shared Content — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:03:41 -0400

Originally published on military.com:
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The Air Force announced a policy Thursday that makes it more difficult to discharge transgender service men and women, offering greater protections against discrimination based on gender identity.

The move comes two months after the Army made a similar policy, inching the nation's military closer to allowing openly transgender troops. Before this new policy, soldiers diagnosed with gender dysphoria, or those who identify as the opposite sex, were discharged from service based on medical grounds with decisions made by doctors and unit commanders. A psychologist or psychiatrist had to approve any recommended discharge over gender dysphoria, and a unit commander had to determine if the condition disrupted the individual's performance.

The new Air Force policy now requires high-level Air Force officials to render those decisions.

"Though the Air Force policy regarding involuntary separation of gender dysphoric airmen has not changed, the elevation of decision authority to the director, Air Force Review Boards Agency, ensures the ability to consistently apply the existing policy," said Daniel Sitterly, a top Air Force official.

In March, the Army's policy change was the first hint at the Pentagon's slow push for greater inclusiveness. Thursday, Air Force Secretary Deborah James told USA Today she was open to ending any restrictions against transgender soldiers entering the military.

The Pentagon is currently reviewing transgender issues in the military, but a decision is not likely to come for months. The last review was in 2011.
"From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve," James said. "I wouldn't be surprised if this came under review."

The American Military Partner Association, the nation's largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender military families, praised the policy change and called for a closer review of "outdated regulations."

"This is a huge step in the right direction for our transgender airmen and their families, but they are still threatened by outdated regulations preventing them from serving openly and honestly," said AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack. "Transgender service members sacrifice so much for our nation, and they should be able to serve openly, honestly, and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. A service member's gender identity has nothing to do with the ability to get the job done."

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/06/05/air-force-changes-policy-on-discharging-of-transgender-troops.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 5 at 2015 7:46 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:46:10 -0400

This is the Obama Air Force. There are no genders. Teachers are teaching that there a no such thing boy and girls. We are a combination of booth. And who is going to pay for the surgery? And if they opt out of having there Penis cut off will they be able to live in the woman's barracks. Will Airman be called haters if they don't agree with there life style.
Are we so hard up that we have to take everybody and anybody. It's not about serving your country it is about your life style choices.
Let the Air Force determine if they want to give a general or honorable discharge.

Response by TSgt John Goodson made Jun 6 at 2015 12:26 AM

TSgt John Goodson — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:26:31 -0400

This is the most embarrassing thing I've read. Do we really expect the world to respect our military as hardened, professional, expeditious, courageous, fearless, experts on sophisticated equipment, confused on whether they are a boy or a girl, military force? Listen up politicians... Our nation's sacred military personnel are NOT YOUR POLITICAL PAWNS!!!! Stop using them as such! Upper Generals... If you aren't willing to stand up against this nonsense, then you are cowards, and are more unfit to serve than the idiot who can't figure out what that 'thing' is down there! Sheez, yo'd think that time would be spent on more important things like, oh I don't know, national defense?

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 2:26 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 14:26:29 -0400

I'm really embarrassed seeing some of the responses on here. Why would it even matter as long as they fulfill their duties? Just because you don't agree with someone's lifestyle doesn't mean you have the authority or privilege to say they can't serve their country.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 4:01 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:01:48 -0400

Transgender is a bar for enlistment as it is a mental disorder according to MEPCOM. Therefore, if someone was able to join the military under false pretenses, they should be processed out for Article 83 Fraudulent enlistment.

Response by SFC(P) Aaron Fore made Jun 7 at 2015 6:52 PM

SFC(P) Aaron Fore — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 18:52:34 -0400

Horse pootie. No preferential treatment.