So I told the Military I'm Transgendered.

[Androgynous_Machine]

So I told the military I'm transgendered.

You know, before being full-time that would have scared the shit out of me. But the feeling I felt wasn't of fear, but of liberation. I get it now. I understand.

All that  was, all his baggage, all his bullshit, all his emotional turmoil is now dead and irrelevant. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful of the life I lived. I don't regret a moment of it. This isn't a dual-personality situation. Rather a situation of one person becoming another.

The difference is I--not the military, not my emotions, not my past, nor my psychological baggage--gets to decide who I am to become.

To put it simply, I am finally the master of my own destiny. I am free; I am free to grow as Melissa and the price that must be paid is everything  was. Some things will mold, some things will transfer, but everything  was is now dead and gone, and in place of that vacancy is a being of joy, love, compassion, and unlimited power; Melissa.

I finally love who I am, and I don't regret a moment of it.

-AM


Mod Edit - Previous name removed as requested

[Ms Grace]

Well, that's great! Congrats! But what's the military going to do about it now? Is this the US military? Don't they usually discharge people for being trans?

[Androgynous_Machine]

Yup, US navy.

I'll be admistratively discharged, and yes, I'm throwing away a  14 year career.


But happiness in a career < happiness in life.


I'll choose trans over Navy any day of the week.  One day maybe trans will be able to serve in the military, until that day, I'll focus on me.

-AM

[Ms Grace]

All the best. Some other countries allow their armed forces personnel to transition (Australia, apparently) maybe one day the US will follow suit.

[Cindy]

Australian armed forces will pay for SRS!

[Ms Grace]

Australian armed forces will pay for SRS!

They will? Wonder if it's too late to enlist? I half considered the airforce in 1983...!

[Sarah leah]

Lets meet up Monday at the front of the Adelaide enlistment office heh. I will start running the 600kms to get there now!


On a serious note I get to see Dr Lyons next month so worried, and yet excited all at once

[Donnagirl]

I left mid nineties... How the service has changed!!! Would have got you a psych discharge back then.

[E-Brennan]

All the best, Androgynous_Machine.  That was a bold move, but one which I won't try to second guess or Monday Morning quarterback.  You know what you're doing.

I don't think you've thrown any career away.  You served 14 years!  That's a massive sacrifice, especially considering what was going on inside your head.  You should be very, very proud of what you've accomplished.  And you should be very proud for having the courage to become who you are given the circumstances.

I finally love who I am, and I don't regret a moment of it.

That's the most important thing.   

[Chloevixen]

I left the Coast Guard after 13 years, I know there are some level of mixed feelings there 7 years from retirement I hear on occasion but it only bothers me for a microsecond.... well maybe less.  I really hope they go easy on you. When the coast guard found out (I was outed I didnt decide to come out) they investigated me. then brought criminal charges (assault and battery for a wet willy, and giving a guy a hug because he needed it).

You will have my prayers that no one else ever has to go through what I did.\
Also welcome to freedom, its the best feeling ever.

[~Evelyn~]

I half considered the airforce in 1983...!

I'm thinking of joining the airforce too, but I'm not so sure about the outcome. Will they do a background check? And do I have to tell them I was a male? I can't find much online as I don't know where to look.

[Bombadil]

I'm glad you are being true to yourself and feeling free.

Did you all know it was in the news a few days ago that the U.S. military has said it's open to reviewing it's ban on transgender folks?

[Jess42]

I'm thinking of joining the airforce too, but I'm not so sure about the outcome. Will they do a background check? And do I have to tell them I was a male? I can't find much online as I don't know where to look.

Oh yeah. I really don't think you will be able to join.

By the way Androgynous_Machine you served for 14 years so you have done more than your part and deserve nothing but happiness.

[Tori]

Wow, A_M, you really took one for the team.

I am proud of you, and I am thankful for your service.

If any future job knows you are trans, they shouldn't care about the discharge.

Hopefully the military does the right thing sooner rather than later so you can get the benefits you deserve.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

That took some big girl pants.

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

Sheesh, where would i be right now if I would have did the same thing when I was in the military.  How scary.  You have real guts!!  Good for you.

[Jess42]

Sheesh, where would i be right now if I would have did the same thing when I was in the military.  How scary.  You have real guts!!  Good for you.

Amen on that one sister. I only lasted four years and it was killing me and I was scared to death I would be caught. I can only imagine 14 years.

[JadeFla]

I do wish I would have told the Navy when I was in. I did not have the courage then.

I read somewhere the US is doing a study to determine if the military should accept transfolk. I do not have time right now to try to find the story and share it on here.

[JessikaBlackMage]

I do wish I would have told the Navy when I was in. I did not have the courage then.

I read somewhere the US is doing a study to determine if the military should accept transfolk. I do not have time right now to try to find the story and share it on here.

It was on MSNBC http://www.msnbc.com/ronan-farrow/watch/will-military-let-transgender-people-serve-255917123880

[TerriT]

Thank you for serving, now go live and enjoy life and be happy.

[SophiePeters]

Congrats!  and thanks for serving.  If you have a flawless enlistment thus far though.  you should get all your enlistment documents and make sure they get into the right hands so someday maybe we all can serve openly.  I wish I could of had the strength to hide it for so many years like you,  instead of washing myself out after a year for fear of being outed.  I do think the world needs to hear more about those who have served honorable giving up transition because of bad policy.  You are an inspiration and should make sure people hear your story.  Fair winds and following seas shipmate.