How should transgender service members be recognized in the military?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:46:16 -0400

The Army EO policy requires transgenders to be recognized as the gender for which they enlisted.

Response by SPC Nick Lai made Oct 5 at 2015 2:48 PM

SPC Nick Lai — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:48:03 -0400

Why would the Army allow their service members to be transgender anyway!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 3:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:10:31 -0400

NO, It will cost MEGA BUCKS. This is what I see happening if it does. There will be Soldiers that get offended by this. they will make a congressional and a young congressman or senator trying to make a name for themselves will ask for more sensitivity classes and separate barracks. Thus resulting in money being shifted from training and learning how to be ass kickers and it being funneled to building separate barracks and restrooms for transgender soldiers. Its opening up a huge can of worms. This is just my opinion.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 3:11 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:11:07 -0400

The Army EO policy tells us the answer.
That we even have to ask this question goes to show how far we've gone to cater to everybody.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 5 at 2015 4:40 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:40:51 -0400

I've lived through some incredible BS double standards during my career. I remember a soldier get a court-martial when his tattoo became infected. They charged him with some bizarre destruction of government property BS for something that was resolved easily in a few weeks. But if someone whacks off their man parts or starts growing boobs without permission it is ok? Then, they are shocked that the military isn't accommodating them for doing something that doesn't have current guidelines in place? Did you receive permission from the DoD for altering your body or does your sense of entitlement and personal beliefs drive this train? Do what you want with your body but don't expect the military to cater for your actions. Want to serve honorably as a transgender? Abide by the current laws and regulations that are in place for everyone and quit expecting special treatment. When the DoD puts out a policy regarding what is LEGALLY allowed to do to mutilate your body, stick to it like all service members are expected to abide by ALL regulations, popular or not. Until then, take your own hypocrisy somewhere else. Let the military focus on our national defense. Let the laws and regulations catch up with medical abilities BEFORE you choose to act. You don't own your bodies while you are under a service commitment. The military does.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Oct 5 at 2015 4:56 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:56:37 -0400

The regs will eventually be changed. MSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SGT John Rauch made Oct 5 at 2015 5:19 PM

SGT John Rauch — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:19:03 -0400

they should not recognize them as soldiers. who knows, maybe they dont want to be soldiers anymore, and they suddenly want to be sailors, why sure, lets just accommodate that too.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 5:25 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:25:39 -0400

I feel it should be the gender they enlisted. One reason is some MOS's have gender restrictions that may have played a role in their enlistment.
I'll leave it at that

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 6:57 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 18:57:58 -0400

SFCPeter Sutherland, I believe we should keep the gender they enlisted or commissioned as. Otherwise, lets do away with it entirely and just have gender "neutral" on the official records for everyone, even you and I.

Response by SSG Jeff Binkiewicz made Oct 5 at 2015 8:20 PM

SSG Jeff Binkiewicz — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:20:10 -0400

Football bat

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 8 at 2015 8:49 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 08:49:13 -0400

"The Army EO policy requires transgenders to be recognized as the gender for which they enlisted."

Is that not the answer?

Response by SFC Randall Atchison made Oct 8 at 2015 6:06 PM

SFC Randall Atchison — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:06:54 -0400

They should have to wear a pink ribbon!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 8:18 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:18:00 -0400

oh no ... don't give the politician any ideas!!! I don't want to answer question like "Did you consider changing your sex? How many times that thought had gone through my mind?" ... or "have you changed your sex? please remember to update at the OPM front desk."

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 9 at 2015 10:33 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 10:33:54 -0400

By their rank?

Response by SFC Randall Atchison made Oct 16 at 2015 4:23 PM

SFC Randall Atchison — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:23:07 -0400

Are you telling me that this is an actual issue within the armed forces? So are "Transgender" queers, sissies or dikes? What in the name of hell has happened to my Army? I am glad I retired when I did!

Response by SFC Randall Atchison made Oct 16 at 2015 4:25 PM

SFC Randall Atchison — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:25:13 -0400

By saying have a good life as they are marched off the base never to be seen or heard from again!

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Oct 16 at 2015 4:25 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:25:28 -0400

They should be treated like a person that is like everyone else. No special treatment.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 16 at 2015 8:34 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:34:08 -0400

That does not make sense. If a boy becomes a girl, he is now a girl.

Response by SGT John Little made Oct 18 at 2015 8:43 PM

SGT John Little — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 20:43:05 -0400

If we pass judgement we are just as ignorant as a slave owner . A soldier "infantry" with crib a couple tours great leader good man. He's gay it did not affect his ability to lead teach or learn. To answer your question as a soldier.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 8 at 2015 5:59 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:59:43 -0500

The military side has long been the test lab of social experimentation. There are aspects that favor it. Rigid chain of command. Expectation to follow orders. System for redress. 100% training participation. Overkill reporting requirements. The list goes on. So when the order is given, you're expected to comply. Yes there will be resistance, yes there will be berthing issues, and yes we'll get through it. So the questions will be is it worth it? Will we be degraded operationally? That list is long too. For the most part the negatives will happen if you allow them to. So if the order is given, pitch in and give an honest effort. I don't recall the Hero Club being too particular about membership. Do you really care who saves your life?

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Mar 18 at 2016 2:09 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:09:41 -0400

By their rank and name. I know because I have a transgender officer and have dealt with legal and the research on this. Being transgender is not a protected EO category unless you are a DA civilian, but commanders still must treat Soldiers with dignity and respect as human beings.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2016 9:25 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 21:25:56 -0400

The tranny trooper needs to get a medical discharge and be placed on the Temporary Disability Retirement List. I realize that isn't currently why we have TDRL. But, after a time sufficient to fully transition (as determined by behavioral health folks sitting on the med board) then and only then can the soldier with new outward gender appearance apply for readmission. The cost of uniforms etc for the new gender will be entirely on the tranny trooper. If possible the soldier should retain the prior MOS. If possible the soldier should very quietly get an on post PCS to a unit where he/she/it can begin life anew with or without gender accoutrements. Let's hope the new life is FABULOUS.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2016 4:42 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 16:42:00 -0400

So basically I foresee a soldier who wants to do the full transition thing having to fully ETS and then come back in once they've made their full switcheroo.

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Dec 28 at 2016 10:14 PM

SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 22:14:46 -0500

The soldiers should be treated with dignity and respect...have we examined some of the language here? Tranny this sissy that...it's uncalled for. I left the military because my chain of command found out I was gay and began to treat me differently from other Soldiers. I had done nothing wrong and I was still rated well on paper but lord knows everyone wanted me to jump through a lot of hoops (that others in my section and company didn't have to do) in order to be promoted. Long story short we have to change our attitude ans realize these are people and treat them with respect we should not assume or presume how they can and should feel.

Response by CW4 Clark Wilson made Mar 28 at 2018 2:19 PM

CW4 Clark Wilson — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 14:19:36 -0400

LGBTQ IN THE MILITARY -- Marks the decline of our once strong and proud United States Military

Homosexuality is a behavior problem that must not be allowed to destabilize and degrade the combat effectiveness of our armed forces. Social experiments have no place in the discipline and structure of military service. Homosexuality is a socially destructive behavior, destructive to the cohesion that must be maintained in order for combat units to remain effective during the stresses of military operations. The acceptance of and endorsement of open homosexual activity in the US Military is the result of least three generations of Americans being brainwashed into not being challenged or counterbalanced by basic morals, values and Un-American ideas.

"Nobody has a 'right' to serve in the Military. Nobody. What makes people think the Military is an equal opportunity employer? This is very far from it.
The Military uses prejudice regularly and consistently to deny citizens from joining for being too old or too young, too fat or too skinny, too tall or too short. Citizens are denied for having flat feet, or for missing or additional fingers. Poor eyesight will disqualify you, as well as bad teeth. Malnourished? Drug addiction? Bad back? Criminal history? Low IQ? Anxiety? Phobias? Hearing damage? Six arms? Hear voices in your head? Do you self-identify as a Unicorn? Need a special access ramp for your wheelchair? Can't run the required course in the required time? Can't do the required number of pushups? Not really a "morning person" and refuse to get out of bed before noon? All can be reasons for denial.
The Military has one job. War. Anything else is a distraction and a liability. Did someone just scream "That isn't Fair"? War is VERY unfair, there are no exceptions made for being special or challenged or socially wonderful. YOU change yourself to meet Military standards. Not the other way around. I say again: You don't change the Military... you must change yourself. The Military doesn't need to accommodate anyone with special issues. The Military needs to Win Wars.
If any of your personal issues are a liability that detract from readiness or lethality... Thank you for applying and good luck in future endeavors. Who's next in line?" --- Rep. Trey Gowdy (SC)

In 1921 the U.S. Army issued standards in which "stigmata of degeneration" such as feminine characteristics and "sexual perversion" can result in a male being declared unfit for service and that active duty personnel who commit homosexual acts could be punished under the Articles of War and Articles for the Government of the Navy until 31 May 1951, when the Uniform Code of Military Justice went into effect. In 1994 the Clinton Administration instigated the U.S. Military’s "Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) policy which became the official United States policy on service by gays, bisexuals, and lesbians in the military. On 20 September 2011 President Obama, Secretary of Defense Panetta and Admiral Mullen repealed the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy for homosexuals serving in the military. President Obama's Defense Secretary Ashton Carter then moved to allow transgender people to serve openly in the U.S. military. On 18 September 2015, President Obama nominated Eric Kenneth Fanning as the United States Secretary of the Army. Fanning was the first openly homosexual head of any service in the U.S. military. On December 11th 2017 a federal judge blocked President Trump's executive order banning transsexuals from serving in the military. Transgender people are now allowed to enlist in the military.

The United Stated Army is steeped in moral traditions and values. When military leaders are identified as subscribing to immoral behavior, the moral strength and indeed the effectiveness our Army as a strong military force should be expected to decline. Immorality can always be assured to yield spectacular errors.

One old war hardened United States Gunnery Sergeant said it best:

"When I joined the military it was illegal to be homosexual, then it became optional. I’m getting out before they make it mandatory."----GySgt Harry Berres, USMC

Response by MSG Dorsel Boyer made Mar 17 at 2019 3:04 PM

MSG Dorsel Boyer — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 15:04:48 -0400

Honestly, after a lot of soul searching on the issue, who cares.

I think we should let people serve in their preferred gender unless otherwise unqualified.

Response by SGT Randall Patsches made Jun 14 at 2020 11:42 AM

SGT Randall Patsches — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 11:42:13 -0400

I see transgendered people enlisting just to get reassignment surgery paid for by the government. And then all the follow up hormones and meds! During transition are they going to be deemed non deployable!? Any one else could be discharged for a non deployable status!?