US Military Lifts Transgender Ban - anyone else thinking of joining?

[Ashey]

I was considering Navy before I transitioned (was even training for basic), but figured it wouldn't be a good idea because I wanted to transition. Now I'm considering it once again, assuming I can get in shape. This may be a long shot but I'm thinking about maybe trying for subs. My nephew is a submariner, so he could give me a good idea of whether this is realistic or not. If I can meet the requirements, and if trans-folk are allowed in, and since they're starting to integrate women into sub crews, then maaaaybe I could actually do it. It's not like they'd have to make a lot of accommodations for me. I'm not modest, I don't need pads or tampons, etc. etc. But I guess we'll see. There's a lot to consider even before I get into thinking about all that. It'd certainly be a change of plans...

[Deborah]

Submariners are a unique breed living for months underwater in a steel tube.  I have a lot of respect for them and they seem to really love it.


Sapere Aude

[LatrellHK]

Started to join, messed up, and am on a permanent DQ. I might now if I hadn't tried, at an age when I was really not ready but just for the affordable college, but also probably not. I don't follow instructions without reason well. I don't take kindly to someone telling me to just do something and never question why.

Besides, this country sees me as a criminal pedophile man-whore. I can care less about military. If you do it, then do you. But I can't anymore.

[Michelle_P]

I was considering Navy before I transitioned (was even training for basic), but figured it wouldn't be a good idea because I wanted to transition. Now I'm considering it once again, assuming I can get in shape. This may be a long shot but I'm thinking about maybe trying for subs. My nephew is a submariner, so he could give me a good idea of whether this is realistic or not. If I can meet the requirements, and if trans-folk are allowed in, and since they're starting to integrate women into sub crews, then maaaaybe I could actually do it. It's not like they'd have to make a lot of accommodations for me. I'm not modest, I don't need pads or tampons, etc. etc. But I guess we'll see. There's a lot to consider even before I get into thinking about all that. It'd certainly be a change of plans...

The submarine crews are all volunteer, that is, they volunteered for sub duty.  That makes the crews a bit more select.  Roughly half the crew are in Engineering, trained as mechanical, electrical, or electronics specialists then run through a nuclear power training program with a large 'school' segment and substantial practical training.  (When I did this the school was 6 months long, and the practical training on a working nuclear power plant prototype was 6 months.  Now they are using decommissioned subs with operational power plants for training.)

The Nuclear Power program is a tough one to get through, but it has a very good reputation.  The education is such that I was able to apply it for credit in an external degree program I used to earn a physics degree.

There are also non-nuclear specialists in sub crews, everything from mechanical and electronics techs to radio, sonar, and naval specialists like bosun's mates.

[Ashey]

The submarine crews are all volunteer, that is, they volunteered for sub duty.  That makes the crews a bit more select.  Roughly half the crew are in Engineering, trained as mechanical, electrical, or electronics specialists then run through a nuclear power training program with a large 'school' segment and substantial practical training.  (When I did this the school was 6 months long, and the practical training on a working nuclear power plant prototype was 6 months.  Now they are using decommissioned subs with operational power plants for training.)

The Nuclear Power program is a tough one to get through, but it has a very good reputation.  The education is such that I was able to apply it for credit in an external degree program I used to earn a physics degree.

There are also non-nuclear specialists in sub crews, everything from mechanical and electronics techs to radio, sonar, and naval specialists like bosun's mates.

I'm an engineer at heart, which is why I'd actually enjoy this stuff. I'd most likely go non-nuke, and do electronics. I already have a lot of experience and training in computer tech, programming, and networking. Plus I have absolutely no problems with small spaces, no sunlight, odd sleeping patterns or sleep deprivation, and I have a great interest in submarines, so I think I'd be pretty well suited for sub work.

[AnxietyDisord3r]

I'm an engineer at heart, which is why I'd actually enjoy this stuff. I'd most likely go non-nuke, and do electronics. I already have a lot of experience and training in computer tech, programming, and networking. Plus I have absolutely no problems with small spaces, no sunlight, odd sleeping patterns or sleep deprivation, and I have a great interest in submarines, so I think I'd be pretty well suited for sub work.

I wanted to do subs as well, although there is something about aircraft carriers. )

I don't think I could do subs now, though. Got too screwed up doing graveyard shifts for five years.

[Ashey]

Upon further research and consideration, I don't think I'll bother with subs. It's not so much a trans issue as it is a female issue... I don't think I need to be crammed into a 'boys only club' for six months at a time. I read about what happened with the USS Wyoming... Female crewmembers and passengers were filmed in the shower repeatedly. There's also the constant harassment and misogynistic scorn I would face every day. Many men simply don't want women in the military, let alone aboard a sub. And let's face it, many men simply can't restrain themselves... Just doesn't seem like something I willingly should put myself through, but we'll see...

[BeverlyAnn]

Already served my term. 

Hugs, Devlyn

I meant to mention earlier, like Devlyn, I stood my watch.  Plus I'm 31 years past the cutoff age to go back in.

I wanted to do subs as well, although there is something about aircraft carriers. )

Aircraft carriers have the best of everything including food and berthing spaces.  It may not sound important but believe me after many days at sea 12 on 12 off, sleep and food are really important.

[Deborah]

I meant to mention earlier, like Devlyn, I stood my watch.  Plus I'm 31 years past the cutoff age to go back in.

Aircraft carriers have the best of everything including food and berthing spaces.  It may not sound important but believe me after many days at sea 12 on 12 off, sleep and food are really important.

There is a lot to be said for sleeping in a hole filled with cold muddy water and eating a frozen bar of chicken a la king too.  Go Infantry!  :-)


Sapere Aude

[Wolf Man]

I've considered it in the past, and am still entertaining the idea. Navy JAG is very appealing. I want to get through bottom surgery first and have a year of recovery before I make a final decision.

I'm in a group on Facebook for trans people who are considering joining, it's led by some very recognizable folks in the trans military community. I've found it very helpful and would recommend it.

Could you link me to that group too? Very interested.

[BeverlyAnn]

There is a lot to be said for sleeping in a hole filled with cold muddy water and eating a frozen bar of chicken a la king too.  Go Infantry!  :-)
Sapere Aude

Yes there is a lot to be said for it.  The trouble is if we say those words here at Susan's we'll get suspended at the least if not banned.    Naval aviation enlisted personel are some of the smartest people in the military.  We send the officers out to do the fighting while we sit back on the carrier drinking coffee.   

[Deborah]

Yes there is a lot to be said for it.  The trouble is if we say those words here at Susan's we'll get suspended at the least if not banned.    Naval aviation enlisted personel are some of the smartest people in the military.  We send the officers out to do the fighting while we sit back on the carrier drinking coffee.   

I will admit that the actual experience was somewhat less pleasant than the romanticism surrounding the memory.

Oh, and "BEAT NAVY" :-)


Sapere Aude

[Kylo]

How about it's not a conspiracy, the same orgs that worked on gay marriage (actually same sex marriage--it impacts us too, just look up other countries where trans people were required to get a divorce to transition) and gays in the military lobbied really hard on trans soldiers as well?

Sometimes activism works, this is just an example of that.

I'm not a conspiracy theory tinfoil-hatter, but I do question and keep caution with most things. Because it's sensible to ask questions.