Pentagon to Relocate Transgender Service Members
The Pentagon is preparing to relocate approximately 1,000 openly transgender service members from the U.S. military due to a new directive issued on Thursday. This directive also allows for a 30-day period where others can “self-identify.”
This decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that permitted the Trump administration to reinforce a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. As a result, the Department of Defense (DOD) will conduct a detailed review of medical records to identify personnel who have not disclosed their transgender status.
“We don’t have trans personnel in the DOD anymore,” commented Hegseth during a Special Operations Forces Conference held in Tampa. “There’s no more pronouns… We’ve finished that.”
Starting Thursday, service members will either choose to retire voluntarily or face a period of forced separation lasting 30 to 60 days.
Officials recognize the difficulty in accurately counting the number of transgender service members, but military medical records can help identify individuals with diagnoses related to gender dysphoria. This includes those currently undergoing treatment or exhibiting symptoms.
Those identified as having gender dysphoria will face mandatory separation from the military, and new enlistments from individuals diagnosed with this condition will not be allowed. Gender dysphoria involves a mismatch between an individual’s biological sex and their recognized gender identity. This condition can lead to various serious issues, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and self-harm.
As of December 9, 2024, data indicated that 4,240 active duty, National Guard, and reserve members had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, though the actual figures could be higher. Currently, the U.S. has about 2.1 million service members.
The memo issued Thursday closely mirrors earlier directives, but prior legal challenges had stalled its implementation. The recent Supreme Court ruling supports the GOP’s authority to impose this ban pending ongoing litigation.
Personnel initially had 30 days to self-identify after the first directive came out, but only about 1,000 did so. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell noted that these members will begin a voluntary separation process. Under this new standard, National Guard and reserve members have until July 7, while active duty personnel must self-identify by June 6.
From 2015 to 2024, taxpayer spending on psychotherapy, hormone therapy, surgeries, and related medical treatments for service members is estimated at around $52 million.
“Gender dysphoria is not compatible with the high mental and physical standards required for those with a current diagnosis or history exhibiting such symptoms,” Pentagon officials reiterated.
Nonetheless, there are limited exceptions under the new policy. Transgender personnel may qualify if they demonstrate case-by-case support for combat operations, or if an existing member diagnosed with gender issues can show they meet specific combat needs without a clinically significant gender identity for over 36 months.
If granted an exemption, individuals must comply with regulations that reaffirm their biological gender in various contexts, such as restrooms, sleeping arrangements, and formal addresses.
