The Pentagon has initiated a directive to move up to 1,000 openly transgender service members out of the military, following a Supreme Court decision that allows the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender individuals in the armed forces. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed strong opposition to transgender inclusion, emphasizing a shift away from what he terms “wokeness” in the military.
Under the new policy, the Defense Department will start reviewing medical records to identify transgender individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a condition where one’s biological sex does not align with their gender identity. As of December 9, 2024, there were 4,240 troops diagnosed with this condition. The latest memo allows active duty members until June 6 to self-identify, while National Guard and Reserve members have until July 7. Those who self-identify will begin a voluntary separation process.
The ban prohibits anyone diagnosed with gender dysphoria from enlisting and states that service members diagnosed cannot continue their service. However, there are exceptions for some individuals who demonstrate they support warfighting needs without having transitioned.
Between 2015 and 2024, the estimated cost for transgender-related medical treatments in the military stands at about $52 million. Pentagon officials claim that medical constraints associated with gender dysphoria are incompatible with military service’s high mental and physical standards. The procedures will involve significant scrutiny over personnel records to enforce this new directive effectively, amid ongoing legal challenges to the policy.
————————————————————————
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
————————————————————————
