Military review boards are defying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive against allowing openly transgender-identifying service members in the U.S. Armed Forces.
According to reports, nine out of twelve review boards in the Navy and Marine Corps have recommended keeping transgender service members in their positions, despite Pentagon orders for their discharge. This situation raises concerns about how well the Defense Secretary’s policies are being enforced and whether some boards are prioritizing their beliefs over the Pentagon’s readiness standards.
After the executive order was issued, the Pentagon initiated a program offering financial incentives for transgender service members to leave the military voluntarily, which resulted in hundreds of departures.
For those who contested their discharge, three-member separation boards were involved. However, these boards seemingly ignored the specified criteria for dismissal.
The Pentagon has stated that it doesn’t comment on ongoing litigation.
In a January 2025 Executive Order, then-President Donald Trump remarked, “The Armed Forces have been afflicted with radical gender ideology to appease activists unconcerned with the requirements of military service like physical and mental health, selflessness, and unit cohesion.” He added that adhering to a gender identity that contradicts one’s biological sex undermines the values essential for military service. A man claiming to be a woman, according to him, does not exemplify the humility and selflessness expected of service members.
The U.S. Military is gender neutral and merit based. If you require any identity other than male or female, as reflected in standard paperwork, then you disqualify yourself. Many individuals were also enlisting to have their transgender treatments covered by federal funds. The military ought not to serve as a personal elective treatment facility. If surgery is needed, individuals should fund it themselves and refrain from joining the military.
— Renee’ Springer – (@SpringerRC24720) October 17, 2026
A Marine Staff Sgt. named Damien Contreras, born a female, was placed on paid leave in April due to prior hormone treatment related to a sex change and her identification as male. In August, she was transported from Hawaii to Marine Corps Base Quantico to attend a separation board. During this hearing, a government attorney presented evidence of her gender identity struggles. Instead of marking “a history of cross-sex hormone therapy,” which warrants discharge, they marked “remains qualified.”
The Navy reportedly has nearly double the number of service members identifying as gay, bisexual, or transgender compared to other military branches, suggesting a possible ideological bias.
