How The Military Is Classifying Transgender And The Process Of The Service Member 's Gender

Further, the Trump administration’s policies specifically affect those who identify as transgender. The administration placed a ban on transgender people from receiving Armed Forces medical care for sex-reassignment surgeries, from enlisting in, and potentially from continuing to serve in the military. The extent of the toll this policy will have on the mental well-being of transgender service members and transgender people at large has yet to be explored in the literature. However, researchers have noted that discriminatory policies have a deleterious impact on the mental health of sexual and gender minorities (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2012; Meyer, 2003). This is particularly troubling considering that the Obama administration declared that transgender service members could serve openly; a move which encouraged many to disclose their gender identity to the military (Cooper, 2017).

The process begins when a Soldier decides, through years of struggle to change gender. The first step for the Soldier is to notify the chain of command of their desire to change. From there a medical provider sets an appointment with a qualified medical provider. The qualified medical provider, who is usually a physiologist or close counterpart, deems if it is medically necessary for the Soldier to receive medical treatment for Transgender transition. Once approved the service member has to go through a long transition time line. The approving authority for this time line is the first O-6 in the Soldiers Chain of Command. He will determine if the medical time line is feasible for the units’ mission ( DOD Service Member Handbook). The reasoning

Transgendered persons can potentially lose their position in the military. Although other political leaders disagree with president’s trumps proposal. I disagree with the proposed actions that transgenders should be banned from the military, based on material and nonmaterial components. The terms Heterosexism, cultural relativism, feminist and standpoint theory will be used to support my decision.

Every day, there are American citizens who risk their lives for the sake of their country's safety. Men and women who believe that justice, peace, and equality should be served. However, within their beliefs, some choose to exclude transgender individuals who have the same rights and freedoms. The American society considers the world to be progressively changing and growing, however, seem to forget that in order for the military to survive the 21st century, diversity is crucial. Although the medical costs may raise the overall healthcare median per year, transgender individuals should have the right to serve in the U.S. armed forces because any human being who meets the physical qualifications and has a willing attitude should have the right to serve.

Another section of this initiative involves changing definitions that restrict who can visit veterans in health care settings. This new definition will allow veterans to determine their own visitors (Sharpe & Uchendu, 2014). The efforts set forth by the Veterans Administration create an opportunity for more inclusive health services for LGBT individuals outside of the VA. With the abolishment of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policies, LBGT veterans are now considered in the services offered at the VA. As the Veterans Health Administration becomes more inclusive, there is potential for the military service policy, excluding enlistment of open transgender individuals, to be abolished (Sharpe & Uchendu, 2014). The VA currently has fifteen facilities

Transgenders in the Military Body dysphoria is defined as “a mental disorder characterized by the obsessive idea that some aspect of one's own appearance is severely flawed and warrants exceptional measures to hide or fix it.” Being transgender, or suffering from gender dysphoria, is the idea that the person’s sex doesn’t match the person’s gender identity, and to fix it, they take to extremes such as having sex reassignment surgery (SRS). Gender dysphoria is a form of body dysphoria, a mental illness associated with Bulimia, and Anorexia. Although there are certain mental disorders that allow citizens to enter the military and perform their required duties adequately, body dysphoria is a mental illness of such severity that it makes adequate performance of military duties near impossible. Transgenders suffer so severely from body dysphoria they cannot properly perform in the high pressure situations found in the military and thus should be prohibited from entering the military.

Just because someone may feel happy with being with someone of the same sex should not deprive them from being in the military. These people are just as capable as the next man or woman. There were and still are people in the military that were already transgender and they were still performing the same way any regular person would. But because they did not know that they were transgender they still did not judge them. “For many in the military, the concern about transgender soldiers has long been about unit cohesion and fighting readiness - the deep trust and close cooperation essential for every small unit, who must work and potentially fight shoulder to shoulder in the trenches. And transgender soldiers could upset this cohesiveness, critics say” (Bruinius 10). Before many of these people knew about the transgender soldiers they trusted them with their whole heart, so what is so different about them now that you find out they are of the opposite sex? Their ability to do has not changed at all, the only thing that’s different is the structure of their body. Their mindset was always the same, their heart, their love for their country is still there, it will always be. So why should someone be discriminated for being gay or a transgender. These people are not just being judged based on who they are, they are

This statement left me with more of a questions than answers, and it became necessary to research the information. How does being transgender make our military forces less focused? How does being

Military regulations effectively prohibit service by transgender people. There are two general brackets of regulations that apply to transgender individuals: medical and conduct regulations. Transgender people will be rejected by invocation of medical or psychological rationales (medical regulations), or they may be rejected for behavior that is deemed to reflect negatively on themselves or the military (conduct regulations.) As per medical regulations, transgender individuals may be disqualified from joining the military as a result of any type of genital surgery, since this is an area of assessment and examination during the initial medical evaluation. Medical support necessary for transitioning service member is not provided. If a current transgender service member seeks treatment from civilian healthcare providers, they still must report such treatment to the military. Failure to abide by these regulations will result in criminal prosecution by the military. As per conduct regulations, there are strict regulations for uniform and grooming standards by sex. Any cross-dressing or anything perceived as cross-dressing, even in the context of following medical protocol in advance of full transition, will be considered a violation of military regulations and result in discipline, discharge, or criminal prosecution. However, even if an individual has not had surgery, but identifies as transgender, this

Lately, there has been an outbreak of people of the LGBT community coming out in the military. Historically the United States has had a policy of discharging gays in the military. There has been an act called the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, it is basically saying that as long as somebody does not ask about your gender preferences, you do not have to tell. Even though the ban has been lifted, many militaries still say they cannot accept anyone from the LGBT inside. They do not care about how well you can perform or your strengths and that mindset is going to come back and hit them in the long run. Militaries that are judging these kids are taking them away from somewhere they feel safe and a place where they can finally belong. Members of the LGBT community find refuge in the military. It was one of the only places where they can prove their worth, where people aren’t focusing on their sexuality. They shouldn’t be judged based on their sexual preferences. Instead, they should be judged on their personality, performance, and their ability to get the job done precisely and correctly.

In 2016, former president, Barack Obama lifted the ban of transgenders being in the military. Now the question comes up, should transgender be allowed in the military? This is a very “touchy” topic as when discussed in verbal debates, situations can become pretty heated. Recently, current president, Donald Trump reversed the decision and put the ban back on as he made the announcement on Twitter saying, the military does not need to be “burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgenders in the military would entail.” (Caceres). Several members of the military have voiced their opinions on why they think transgenders should be allowed in with no problem.

Scenario: You have signed up for the United States Marine Corps. You are an able bodied young individual, you have the qualities that are expected of a service member, and you are willing to be a part of one of the World’s greatest Military outfits. But, you are an 18-year-old homosexual individual. Where do you fit in compared to the others signing up for service? What are your rights? How far are you willing to go to become a member of the U.S. Marine Corps?

Currently there’s a major debate about transgenders and their right to serve in the military. Many transgender individuals bring with them well documented mental and emotional issues that require a serious commitment of time, money, extended therapies, and trainings. Coupled with a very public and open battle with suicide are all reasons why transgender individuals should not be allowed to enlist in the military at this time.

The military excludes Transgender individuals from serving because, according to Kayla Quam, “In order to join the military, individuals need to meet the physical and psychological standards listed in the Department of Defense’s Medical Standard for Appointment, Enlistment, or Introduction in the Military Services (‘DoDI 613.03’)” (721). Because of physical and mental exams many transgender individuals choose to keep their abnormalities a secret, forcing them to live a double life. Many are disqualified because of mental and false health issues. For example, “Transgender [people] who have undergone sex-reassignment surgery are disqualified under a medical regulation during the physical exam,” and Transgender individuals who have not undergone “sex-reassignment surgery but identify as transgender are disqualified under the psychological examination” (Ross 190). The military deems Transgender individuals as unfit to serve, but approximately 15,500 transgender individuals are serving in the military and there are 134,200 transgender veterans (Gate and Herman 1). Proving that transgender individuals have served in the military successfully, playing against all odds the military is in fact wrong to classify transgender individuals as unfit to serve.

Many individuals were highly gracious at this idea, no matter the negativity that surrounds this topic. When referencing to the article by the New York Times on Ashton Carter’s announcement, he states “Americans who want to serve and can meet our standards should be afforded the opportunity to compete to do so. After all, our all-volunteer force is built upon having the most qualified Americans” (Rosenberg, 2016). The article’s point of view perceives an appreciative tone towards the U.S. military members and how much they sacrifice. For their sacrifices, the government is willing to help formulate policies that can open doors to a new tolerance and acceptance towards sexual identity. Through my discovery of this change in policy, I realized how much this will help not only the individuals who are suffering from this condition but it will help the companionship of the military. I struggle with being completely open with my fellow service members because of the tension there was on the topic of sexual identity. After hearing the statements made by both the Secretary of Defense and the Defense Secretary, I felt like I am part of a whole different world now that there is an understanding of the struggles and tolls taken to maintain personal happiness in such a demanding career. Having higher authorities who are able to implement policies amongst the U.S. government who have vital points of views on this controversial