Posted on Mar 14, 2014
What are your thoughts on Trannsexuals in the military.
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<p>I recently heard a story pertaining to Trans Genders in the military and a group is fighting for the right for these people to join the military. I have not been in the military for almost 6 years so I have no idea what it could do. I was not in when the "don't ask don't tell" policy was removed so I have not seen the effects. What is your opinion? Here is the latest news story.</p><p><br></p><p>http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/03/13/report_on_transgender_military_service_there_s_no_reason_to_keep_trans_people.html</p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/uploads/2014/3/13/screen_shot_20140313_at_12.55.08_pm.png/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/03/13/report_on_transgender_military_service_there_s_no_reason_to_keep_trans_people.html" target="_blank">The Military’s Ban on Transgender Service Members Is Prejudice, Pure and Simple</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">When the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy ended in 2011, the ban on transgender service remained in place, contained in a different set of regulations distinct from the DADT law. For some, ta...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 24
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All I wanna know; is a wig enough to get me on the female PT scale, or is getting clipped mandatory? I wanna score 500 on my PT test, but not THAT badly! =)
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Well, this should keep JAG busy for about the next 20 years *or* until someone decides if the US Military is some sort of sick, social experiment *OR* is indeed an organization with the primary goal and purpose to protect the United States from all enemies (foreign and domestic).
Until our elected official grow a set and quit playing games, I guess we'll be color coordinated and look F A B U L O U S!
Until our elected official grow a set and quit playing games, I guess we'll be color coordinated and look F A B U L O U S!
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CPT Jason Torpy
What better way to fight and win than to take advantage of the best available for the job? I don't remember my junk-pronoun combination ever mattering in combat.
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SSgt Win Hamilton
The real issue is cross dressing. Can a trans wear the women's cap and man's blouse and trousers?
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I have none. Any able bodied American should be able to serve his/her country, PERIOD!!!
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I second what SFC Carlos said. Anyone able to put service before self, and soldier on when times get shitty; by all means, they deserve the right to do so just as much as anyone else. Racism and discrimination is a cycle that falls from one group on to another as soon as morons run out of reasons to hate a certain group.
As a former MP, I can see it being pretty awkward for someone to be arrested by a transgender MP, but that's only because I've never seen it done before. By no means would I nor should anyone cast out another human being just because they live their lives differently. Everyone should be allowed the chance to be a warrior. I've seen heroic gay dudes and cowardly straight dudes. Anyone that's outraged or sickened by the thought of allowing the LGBT community in the military will probably be the first one to get their ass kicked by a throng of morbidly obese, drunk and pissed off Dependopotamus'. They'll be highly disappointed they didn't have that 6'6 brick shit house tranny on their team to dish out haymakers at the bar brawl they responded to lol.
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I have none, nor do I see any. Any able bodied American should be able to serve his/her country, PERIOD!!!
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TSgt (Join to see)
I agree. The code of conduct states in article 1 "I'm an American fighting in the forces which guard our country and OUR way of life". I try to never forget that as a military member that I am a servent to this country. Not a person that dictates what we do. The way I see it is a bullet that leaves the weapon of a transsexual individual can do just as much damage as the bullet that leads my rifle.
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People have a right to do with their bodies as they choose just as much they have the right to breathe, speak freely and do anything else they please as long as they remain law abiding citizens. The same goes for service in the armed forces. They have a right to serve just like anyone who is not trans-gender.
My opinion is simple and straightforward: If they are able bodied (stole that from SFC Walcott), can do their assigned job in the military and fight on a battle field if called upon, then I could give two squirts of duck shit what their physical make-up consists of. I don't judge. I lead and if they can be lead to become effective future leaders then that's all that really matters IMO.
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I'm a live and let live kind of guy. But there will be no "positive results that can come from this."<br>
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree with the "live and let live" way of thinking. I think the issues that we will be presented with are how do we determine gender specific things, like APFT scores, body fat allowance, grooming standards, appropriate uniforms and civilian dress, etc.? I think the possible benefit to result from a lift on the ban would be in the form of greater equality for Americans. Aside from that we would be opening the door for a larger pool of people to recruit from, so who knows, we might get some new Soldiers who may be very talented and end up being an asset to the Army.
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LCpl Brandon McLendon
Let them decide there selfs. For the simple fact is if they want to be a girl they would half to fallow the same protocols as the females do, and if the women want to be a guy they fallow the same guide lines as the men. But that dose not give any military personal the right to make fun of them or cause any trouble, and if they do they should be dealt with in the military court systems.
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Medical logistic difficulties aside, what would the actual unit impact be?
I have served in both combat arms units as well as combat support units and in either environment I can still clearly imagine the hardships a transgender soldier would face. Jokes, whispers just out of earshot, lack of acceptance and of course the possibility of hate crimes.... yes I know we are supposed to be a professional group with values, and the majority of us are - but we all know there are more than a few rude, ignorant and downright mean soldiers in every unit.
What would the gender segregation impacts be? For example, what latrine would a transgender use? Would it depend on operative status? If they have/still have a penis they use the male latrine or if they have/still have a vagina they use the female latrine? What about IADT (basic training)? I assume they still segregate males and females to different barracks. Which barracks would a transgender use? (similar to which latrine issue).
As for equal rights - would this allow me to re-enlist after being medically disqualified because of a condition which requires periodic blood tests and visits to a specialist every 90 days regardless of duty location? How is hormone replacement (HRT) any different? HRT for transgender also requires periodic blood tests and periodic consultation with a medical specialist. On this basis wouldn't that disqualify them for military service under the same regulation that disqualified me?
If they can serve with the unique medical challenges they voluntarily submit themselves to, couldn't I then serve as well? If so, I'd like to finish my career (7 ore years) and retire. Aside from what I mentioned, it wouldn't matter to me if my Platoon SGT, 1st SGT or commander was a transgender - granted, trips to the NCO club might become a little more awkward, but just let me finish what I started 17 years ago.
I have served in both combat arms units as well as combat support units and in either environment I can still clearly imagine the hardships a transgender soldier would face. Jokes, whispers just out of earshot, lack of acceptance and of course the possibility of hate crimes.... yes I know we are supposed to be a professional group with values, and the majority of us are - but we all know there are more than a few rude, ignorant and downright mean soldiers in every unit.
What would the gender segregation impacts be? For example, what latrine would a transgender use? Would it depend on operative status? If they have/still have a penis they use the male latrine or if they have/still have a vagina they use the female latrine? What about IADT (basic training)? I assume they still segregate males and females to different barracks. Which barracks would a transgender use? (similar to which latrine issue).
As for equal rights - would this allow me to re-enlist after being medically disqualified because of a condition which requires periodic blood tests and visits to a specialist every 90 days regardless of duty location? How is hormone replacement (HRT) any different? HRT for transgender also requires periodic blood tests and periodic consultation with a medical specialist. On this basis wouldn't that disqualify them for military service under the same regulation that disqualified me?
If they can serve with the unique medical challenges they voluntarily submit themselves to, couldn't I then serve as well? If so, I'd like to finish my career (7 ore years) and retire. Aside from what I mentioned, it wouldn't matter to me if my Platoon SGT, 1st SGT or commander was a transgender - granted, trips to the NCO club might become a little more awkward, but just let me finish what I started 17 years ago.
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CPT Jason Torpy
So Trans people shouldn't serve because military personnel are closed-minded bullies? I have a bit more confidence in our ability to overcome integration of qualified new trans persons... and women and african americans, since your EXACT arguments were used when those two groups were integrated.
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SSG Jason Deters
That is NOT what I am saying Sir. Please read my comment again and take notes if required. I never said Trans shouldn't serve. Perhaps I should have been more clear - I think they can and should serve. I was merely posing questions about unit climate and gender segregation policies. My last paragraph asked about the medical readiness policies and how they would or would not change, and IF they changed, would that allow me to re-enlist to finish my career?
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The Military is a snapshot of society. Inevitably, we'll have to deal with this and the lawyers will have a field day sorting out what "right" looks like. This said, I submit that an otherwise fully qualified trans (sexual/gender/intersex/add your choice) who is complete (finished with their particular surgery) at their own expense should be allowed to serve. We (DoD) should not have to foot the bill for their decision.
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SSG (Join to see)
even if they tried to have the surgery while serving the military should not be responsible since it would be a cosmetic surgery, but with the way we baby everyone now it would not surprise me to see them pay for it.
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BLUF: Transgender/sexual soldiers should be allowed to serve provided they require no further medical treatment regarding their change in sex/gender, nor should a service member be allowed to initiate a gender/sex change while serving in the military.
I do not think that transgender hormone therapy nor the actual transsexual reconstruction should be paid for by the military. For first order effects, I foresee service members demanding medical coverage of cosmetic/plastic surgeries, which are currently not a covered benefit of Tricare. For second/third order effects: The rise in surgeries will in turn become expensive for the military due to an increase in unnecessary surgeries, and the surgeries will result in a rapid increase in profiles which will impact the readiness of any unit.
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