Future for Trans people in the Military?

[LizMarie]

Being 8 years army, and another s6 years to go for reserve, with a close to top secret clearance. I hope they do get to change the policy.

Just a question - did they change the law at some point? When I got out after 8 years, I was informed (because I asked) that having completed 8 years active duty that I had no reserve obligation left. My name would be added to the IRR, but I would be one of the last likely called should it have been necessary. Now that was 30 years ago last month, hence my question about the law.

[Katiepie]

Well in the initial contract I had was a 6 year contract, with a two year (optional). I'm not entirely certain on the laws, but close to a 6 month time frame of my contract ending, was mandatory counselling with retention, to have the possibility to extend, resign, or just finish the term and be done.

I had of course opted to resign into a 6 year term, so I can remain receiving my benefits and not lose it, since in my contract was stated if I were to finish term, I would not receive my benefits any more. I should have read through my contract better. I was a stupid 20 year old, that just wanted to escape from life in any which way possible back then and in a hurry.

Just a question - did they change the law at some point? When I got out after 8 years, I was informed (because I asked) that having completed 8 years active duty that I had no reserve obligation left. My name would be added to the IRR, but I would be one of the last likely called should it have been necessary. Now that was 30 years ago last month, hence my question about the law.

[LizMarie]

Thanks! I was just curious, and didn't mean to derail the thread.

[Dena]

For anybody who is interested, Google Joanna Clark and read about her. As far as I know she was the last Post OP to serve in the military. I knew her very well when I was under medical treatment.

[CaitlinE]

Pizza and King, an option to consider might be non-enlisted employment with one of the armed forces.  Long story short, I had a relationship fall apart (partly for being trans, partly other reasons) and ended up unemployed in a bad economy as result.  DARPA wound up supporting my education, putting a roof over my head, food on the table, and keeping me off the streets.  Not the same as the GI bill and not the same as working for a defense contractor but I'm quite thankful for the support.  It was the second time I worked for the Navy, the first being a civilian GS-03 position keeping some of the wheels turning at one of their bases.

[SonadoraXVX]

I think they will change the laws for transgender to be allowed in the military, just not the hardcore combat arms arena, like marine corps infantry, ranger, and special forces, yet. I believe that the Army Rangers is in the midst with qualifications with a female army ranger candidate in the Ranger qualification training to qualify for the Ranger Tab or being called a Ranger. Just to give you a view how people never imagined in the past breaking through traditional male jobs. Women are pushing their way into combat arms roles, even though some other countries do allow them already. In the next 20 years major changes in roles and laws will take place, which will be an interesting time.

[Pizzaparty78]

Thanks all for the replies, I do find it quite interesting how there isn't a ban anymore on trans people. I had no idea. So as long as the dysphoria isn't distracting you from your job, correct? What if the person was taking hormones of some sort, would that be allowed?

[LizMarie]

Pizza, it's complicated. The top level DOD regulations have changed but the individual services have not yet (so far as I know), so a huge factor is whether your local commander is transphobic or not. There are now a couple openly serving trans people in the US military but at the same time other trans people are still being discharged, and with general discharges, not honorable.

So the regulations are a mess right now. You can't assume you'd be ok. You might or you might not.