Should transgenders be allowed in the military?

Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 15:48:02 -0500

I am doing a debate project about whether transgenders should be aloud in the military, and I was given the no argument. I have been doing a lot of research and am having a lot of trouble finding information. I am in need of statistics and factual research, any ideas would be great.

Response by SSG Patricia King made Dec 10 at 2017 3:52 PM

SSG Patricia King — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 15:52:03 -0500

PM me. My name is Patricia King. I am the first transgender woman to serve openly in the infantry, the first enlisted female in the infantry, and a transgender advocate for open trans service. You won't get much "no" material from me, but I can help you find factual data from The Palm Center, 18 partner nations, the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, RAND Corp, both current and former leaders within our military as well as anecdotal evidence of trans service members currently serving.

Response by SSG Patricia King made Dec 10 at 2017 3:52 PM

SSG Patricia King — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 15:52:52 -0500

Oh, and we don't like to be called transgenders any more than people like the terms gays, blacks, Jews. We are people, transgender people.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Dec 10 at 2017 4:16 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 16:16:55 -0500

As long as you have your rifle in your hand when we're hit

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2017 5:38 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 17:38:24 -0500

Google is a good starting point. Try to avoid the sites with obvious bias and lean toward those with actual statistics and figures from vetted sources. Neutrality is important, because the numbers are often skewed to fit their narrative. Non-profits and organizations tend to be more factual than some others with an agenda. There are several people here on RP that are well-versed on the topic. Research is often more important than wordsmithing and grammar. It forms the basis for any positions you may take in your final product. Not the treasure-trove you are looking for but maybe it will help.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Dec 10 at 2017 6:20 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 18:20:03 -0500

No. Plain and simple. If you are looking for factual or statistical information to make this point, I would start with the preexisting mental health standards for being allowed into the service. Next, you can look up the depression and suicide rates among the transgender population. Look into the cost that it takes to upkeep that lifestyle as well, seeing as how this is a burden that the military, and the taxpayers in turn, will be having to shoulder. Lastly, look into the standard operating procedures and regulations that are based on the idea of genders, i.e. billets assignments, physical fitness examination, MOS designations, etc. These are issues that the military would have to address and change in order to pander to this segment of the military population.

Response by PO2 David Trautman made Dec 10 at 2017 6:23 PM

PO2 David Trautman — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 18:23:10 -0500

No it’s obviously a very expensive pre exsisting condition

Response by TSgt Brian Hart made Dec 10 at 2017 6:31 PM

TSgt Brian Hart — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 18:31:30 -0500

No. Mental illness is a condition for denying service.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 10 at 2017 7:14 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 19:14:13 -0500

Private RallyPoint Member Most Definitely Yes. For Such a Small Community they have the Highest Percentage Serving in the Military. I Gives a Damn about Your "Gender Identification" I Care at How Good You Can Do the Job. Significant Number of "Transgender" that Do Serve become "Lifers". What is Not to Like.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Dec 10 at 2017 11:26 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 23:26:51 -0500

First, there is no trans-gender person. There are only men and women. Yes, I know there are an extremely few people born with both sex organs. It is wrong to physically mutilate oneself to try to remedy some sort of mental defect. Such a person is not fit to serve in the military. If one wants to act abnormally in relation to their sex, then the military must decide is such behavior is acceptable.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2017 1:29 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 01:29:06 -0500

yes