How the Military is classifying Transgender and the process to undergo for a Transgender to change the service member’s gender.
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Class 001-17 SSG Anthony, Daniel S.
How the Army is classifying Transgender and the process to undergo the change of the service member’s gender. Classifying a person’s gender weather the person is female or male through their biology. A person may feel gender dysphoria through their childhood or adulthood to cause them to want to change their gender. The process a service member must go through is Gender Transition process. This process helps identify if the service member is able to go through the process,
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This process helps identify if the service member is able to go through the process either for the service member’s needs, while preserving military readiness. The Gender Transition process helps the service member to go through living their life fully in their preferred gender. Going through this process may take time because it’s a process of a team effort with their chain of command and Military Medical Provider (MMP). The service member may progress on varying timelines, from the chain of command, Military Medical Provider (MMD) and others to approve the soldiers request to undergo the Gender Transition process. The commander plays a key role in the Gender Transition process because they are the ones that make the recommendations and actions. The commander recommends the timing of the medical treatment, timing of the Real Life Experience (RLE), and request for the Exception to Policy (ETP) associated with Gender Transition, and the change of the service member’s gender marker in the personal data system.
The service member will undergo a long process with their chain of command and Military Medical provider (MMP). The process the service member must undergo through are nine steps. These nine steps, the service member will be working with their chain of command to accomplish. The first step is getting a medical diagnosis and a medical treatment plan from your Military Medical provider (MMP). This step allows
June 30th 2016, Rizzo & Cohen, (2016) with CNN wrote a piece on Defense Secertary Ash Carters’ decision to allow transgender individual to enlist, commission, and sereve openly in the U.S. Military. This order also allows hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery if medically reccomended. It is estimated that there are 15,000 transgender individuals currently serving in the U.S. military, according to a recent study by the Williams Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles Law School. The policy also states that any transgender joining the forces must have 18 months of stability in their new gender.
Topics concerning transgender can be very overwhelming for some. When one thinks of the term transgender, one may think of the process of an individual identifying as the opposite sex. The opposite sex of what he or she was born as. For some, this may involve undergoing surgical procedures or taken hormonal medications to fulfill their desire. However, when thinking of this process, one automatically thinks of transgender adults. This is rarely a topic that one would assume would be racing through the minds of young children, but in fact it is. More children today than ever, are either speaking out about their identity concerns, or displaying it in their lives. In fact, according to Date Line NBC, “The handful of American doctors who specialize
According to an article published by The Denver Post, “Any able bodied person should be able to serve.” Both women and men that complete the Basic Training Physical Fitness test (which is a compulsory component in military training) are suitable armed forces recruits. When a transgender person undergoes gender reassignment surgery, they are legally identified as a single-sex and if successful in their boot camp training, should have the opportunity to explore becoming a military candidate. John McCain, Arizona Senator and the chair of the Senate armed services committee, stated, “Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members
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.
Banning transgenders from serving in the military contradicts civil liberties. The government would be in violation of that law because it protects the rights of citizens. The U.S. Constitution does state in the first 10 amendments, which is the Bill of rights was designed to protect the citizen’s rights and freedom. Transgenders is a choice, a person’s choice, much like religion. The government has no authority to intervene on a personal free choice as free citizen. Banning transgenders from serving in the military is considered a form of discrimination and violates the Bill of Rights. Power is limited on the government and denies the right to interfere with a citizen’s personal choices.
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.
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
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).
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
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
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.
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
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.
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?
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