How would you, as a leader, address a Service Member with gender identity issues?

SSG (Join to see). I would urge them to work with their family, friends, clergy, and therapists . . . try to find some way . . . any other way . . . to resolve their issues . . . and I'd tell them in no uncertain terms about the many charlatans, quacks, and worse who will be very happy to take their confidence, faith, and money . . . and ultimately abandon them to suicide. I would not treat this as a matter of political correctness . . . this is a life and death emergency. Sandy

p.s. For every transsexual "star" I can assure you there are dozens on dozens of total disasters.

As someone who regularly is contacted for help by SM's who identify as LGBTQ+, I would highly recommend the first thing is to demonstrate and verbalize to them that you value their integrity for bringing up their struggle to you. This is one of the most crucial points for individuals who "come out" or are battling gender identity. (Studies show that they are 8x more likely to be suicidal at this phase of their journey.) Second, tell them that some of the best confidential care will come from a trained individual and that you will help them begin that process. Military OneSource (http://www.militaryonesource.mil) is an excellent, free way for them to begin the conversation that needs to occur. They will ask a brief series of questions to link the SM with a licensed counselor who specializes in that category. Third, I would be very cautious about involving a Chaplain. My experience is that it presents more hurdles later on rather than help since many Chaplains do not have specialized training in this arena and there are very few religious faiths that are understanding/accepting. It is not a discussion about surgeries, tax dollars, or ethics. It is about helping a SM serve with honor, courage, respect, and integrity. If they want to pursue their journey, it may be best for them to serve their term and then pursue what they feel is the next step in their journey. Finally, help them realize that you are not relieving them of their obligation, but rather will help them be the best they can be because they have chosen to serve.

As this is not my area of expertise, I would counsel the soldier that this area is unfamiliar/uncomfortable for me and refer them to appropriate medical/counseling personnel. Although I accept that gender identity is a current topic of interest (Caitlyn/Bruce Jenner and Pvt Manning), I have no professional opinion on the matter. I do have a personal opinion on the matter but it is irrelevant to the discussion at hand.

As a leader, I am gender neutral. My sole focus is performance and fitness for service. I am the same with regard to sexual orientation, country of origin, race, religion and any other method of dividing an organization. Although I believe we have gone over board on the EO Consideration of Others/Sensitivity training, I understand that we cannot hide from our differences. But we cannot let the focus on these differences tear us apart (which I believe it is doing).

I would inquire as to their support network, to ensure that no one, no service member, walks alone. At this time, correct me if I am wrong, I don't believe it is possible to make any sort of MTF or FTM transition while being in the military, so unfortunately, if they choose to serve they choose to accept those regulations. I would encourage honorable service if they do wish to stay, or if not, I would hold them to the same standards as they complete their service. Ultimately, it does us no good to have someone in the military who doesn't want to be there, but they took the oath like anyone else. What someone does on their personal time is their business, as long as they are not hurting themselves or others. Again, my primary concern would be to ensure that this member has support and does not feel so isolated that we run the risk of losing them to suicide.

As being usually the first person that my Marines turned to when dealing with anything that could possibly be construed as medical, even I would have an issue with this one. I would probably advise them to skip the Battalion Surgeon and go straight whichever closest medical center provided psychological services. This person is going to have a long, hard road and is going to need advice and counceling that I just wouldn't be able to give.

SSG (Join to see) I would offer to them to talk with your unit PA or Doctor to help them understand what exactly they might be seeking medically. I would also help them talk with the Chaplain and a Head Doctor (Psychologist or Psychiatrist, I am not sure which one is the best, I get them confused).

Above all, I would make sure I was supportive in the discussion about their choice, regardless of my personal beliefs one way or the other. Simply provide them the tools they need to make the correct decision and go from there.

I'd recommend that they join RallyPoint.

You know this is one of those issues I have never dealt with and honestly have no clue how too. I would help them seek the help of a person much more qualified than me. I am socially liberal and don't see an issue with it but know it should be dealt with by someone that could help. It is like asking me about your car. I could tell it is broken but I wouldn't know what is wrong with. I would tell you to see a mechanic.

It's about understanding the persons current phase in their life. This is a secret that has been held inside for a long time. Understanding what has broken them down in their work and personal life to release such a secret is key. Then when you understand the whole picture you can coach them. They may feel so comfortable that they feel they can finally come out and show their true self. A good leader knows their soldiers personally in and out of work. The most important thing is the soldiers wellbeing and if they are mission capable. Going through a sex identity crisis in my oppenion makes the soldier temporally not mission capable. Once they establish or don't establish their new gender they can be reevaluated on mission readiness.

to be true their self....but because of their issue...it still does not relieve them from doing their job to the best of their ability.