Questions about US military

[AnamethatstartswithE]

I've been thinking about a specific officer position in the Air Force reserve. I know that for non prior service it is a longshot, but I think with my academic qualifications I have a chance. My question is, if I were to apply, knowing I'm trans* before the ban is (hopefully) lifted would that be a crime? I turn 34 in September, it takes about a year to apply and you have to finish the training before you're 35 so I'd want to start asking in March.

While I feel that transition is something I'll want to do during my lifetime, I'm not ready now, and it will probably be some time before I am, in the meantime I want to be sure I'm not missing out on things I'd want to do in life.

[Kerrigan]

Hey, I'm a transman currently serving in the air force reserves. I'm not out currently, but plan to (hopefully) come out once the ban is lifted granted they allow open transition with it.

Have you started HRT? Any surgeries? If you do you're not getting in. Keep in mind that if you join before they lift the ban you will have to go through OCS as a male, with a male hair cut and male everything. You shouldn't have too much trouble getting in as long as you're healthy physically and your education is as sought after as you say it is. I wouldn't worry about non prior service. I'm enlisted though, so what would I know. Anyways, I have little to no physical dysphoria so basic wasn't a big deal for me. Just keep in mind your own limitations when applying for this, and also keep in mind that them lifting the ban may very well not mean that you can actively physically transition while in the service. That's all left to be announced pending the decision they make.

[Deborah]

You say that you know you are trans.  Is that by professional diagnosis?  If not just don't say anything.  If it is it could theoretically get you in trouble if the issue ever arose later.

I was in for 20 years commissioned but got in a different way.  If the form you fill out says it's a federal offense to put down something false then be careful if that question is asked and if there is other documentation such as from a therapist.  That said, I strongly doubt that question is even asked.


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[AnamethatstartswithE]

Have you started HRT? Any surgeries? If you do you're not getting in. Keep in mind that if you join before they lift the ban you will have to go through OCS as a male, with a male hair cut and male everything.

I haven't started anything, The hair doesn't really bother me that much. For me the dysphoria is like a nagging cough, it's bothersome but I'm not at the point where surgery and hormones are something I'm comfortable with. While I've wanted to be female since I was 10, most of the actual problems I've had stem more from the shame and self loathing I had over feeling that way, than the actual feelings themselves. I'm still figuring this out, but I'm nowhere near the "transition or die" point.

You say that you know you are trans.  Is that by professional diagnosis?  If not just don't say anything.  If it is it could theoretically get you in trouble if the issue ever arose later.

This is the heart of the question for me. I'm currently an expat, and I've been seeing a therapist here since October.  However, she's a psychologists, and in this country only psychiatrists can give actual diagnoses. However she agrees with me that this is something I have. If the question is asked to me I'll have to tell the truth, and that's that. It might be better to wait until the announcement is made, I'm still figuring this out.