The Military and Transsexuals

[Ron]

I did a search and could only find the thread asking whether or not people had previously done military service, so I figured it'd be ok to make this thread.

I'm bored at uni and have no real idea where I want to go with my life at this point. The Army or The Army Reserves are calling my name. But, I'm a pre-transition transsexual. I managed to get an account on the website with my preferred name, and because they asked for 'gender' rather than 'sex', I also put down male. But I'm not sure what they'll think about me trying to join as a FTM. I've read all the info they give about medical conditions, and I might be excluded on the basis of poor eyesight and asthma, but assuming I get past that, I'm wondering what will happen when I need to have T shots every three months, and whether the fact that my genitals are not that of a male will affect my application.

Have any of you guys ever applied/thought of applying for the army/air force/navy while or after you've transitioned? I know it's a bit of a strange question, but I guess I'm wondering if this is even worth trying.

Thanks.

[Steph]

The country where you live will be the big determining factor here.  Let us know where you live and I'm sure that the members here will be better able to advice you and or relate their own experience.

Steph

[Hypatia]

Lets get down to business to defeat the Huns
Did they send me daughters when I asked for sons
You're the saddest bunch I've ever met
But you can bet
Before we're through
Mister I'll make a man out of you

[lisagurl]

Once you are in the military you lose much of your rights. I am sure there are many other things you could do with your life.

[Steph]

Once you are in the military you lose much of your rights. I am sure there are many other things you could do with your life.

I think that would depend on where you served.  For myself I served for 30 years in the Canadian Army and I didn't loose any of my rights.

But to stay on topic Ron needs to tell us where he plans enrole/sign up etc.

Steph

[Hypatia]

Ron's profile gives his location as "Melbourne, Australia."

[Ron]

Haha yeah, I forgot that part. Hypatia is on the money, Australia.

I was thinking of waiting until I start T and then maybe going to one of the info sessions and asking the recruiting officers about it.

Also, lisagurl -- My plan was to undertake some sort of apprenticeship or a part-time position in the reserves, rather than the full-time army. Uni just isn't doing it for me, and it seems you need qualifications for good work.

[Patroklos]

Actually, I'm curious about this, too, though in the US. I've considered that after I've mostly completed my transition goal that I might want to join the Marines, except as a male.
Provided that I meet the male enlistment requirements, that is. =/

[Wing Walker]

Hi, Ron,

I have no idea how things work in the Australian military but I suspect that they have rules and regulations that get into the area of transsexuality.  My advice is to ask a representative of the military, perhaps a military lawyer, what your rights and protections are concerning transitioning in the military.

Some simple questions:  What is their policy on transition?  Will they supply HRT and other transition-related medical help?  What happens if you transition without their permission while you are enlisted?  Will you have physical protection from other service members who might want to do you harm.

Whenever someone signs-on to serve in that nation's organized and sanctioned military, there are standards of conduct under which they will be required to work.  Military organizations have a reason for being that is set-off from the rest of society.  Infractions committed in the military can have a much heavier penalty than those committed in Darwin or Alice Springs.

Ask the questions before you sign on the dotted line.  See someone in another town if you feel more comfortable that way, and by all means, find a contact in the legal department of the Australian Military.  If you can't find someone, send me a pm and I'll try to help from here, a good distance from Darwin.

Good luck in your quest!

Wing Walker
Would Love to Live in Darwin

[Gabrielle]

To my knowledge as a vet, the DoD in the US does not take transgendered people or homosexuals, but the latter is whole different story with don't ask don't tell.

[Patroklos]

Hmm. I suppose I'll have to ask a recruiter. =/

[Gabrielle]

Yeah, you would not be able to hide this from the DoD if you needed any kind of security clearance.  Plus I am not sure how safe you would be in the Marines.  I served in front line combat units and I know if I had come out or been suspected of being trans or gay it would have gotten very ugly for me.  I overcompensated for many years.

Being open and honest with the recuiter is your best bet.  The day will be coming when the military drops its don't ask don't tell policy and just accepts gays into the military.  At that time transgendered people should have an easier time getting in I think.

[Patroklos]

Well, yes, I agree that eventually it will be more open for the LGBT community.. however, in ten years I won't even be of age to enlist any more.

I suppose that considering safety is probably less of a concern to me than it should be. However, I'm friends with a lot of enlisted Marines guys (I live in between two military bases) who know that I'm FtM and they all seem to take it rather well. I'm "one of the guys". The gay part bothers a few of them but they generally act rather indifferent towards me on the grounds of presentation and orientation.
Though I can see how that would be different if we all were sharing barracks. =/

Ah well. There are other things to do with my life. XD

[greg-unknown]

are trans guys allowed to be in the canadian military?

[Andrew]

I've actually been doing a bit of reading on this. Take a look here: http://www.rense.com/general67/oeo.htm

[Pysgod]

I've actually been doing a bit of reading on this. Take a look here: http://www.rense.com/general67/oeo.htm

Thus showing again the brains that the British army has. At least they have the brains to use their talent within all the communities in their country. The US on the other hand prefers to just push anyone that
doesn't fit in their ridiculous ideas of normalcy away.......

[Patroklos]

Here's hoping that the US Military catches on. =/

[louise000]

Thus showing again the brains that the British army has. At least they have the brains to use their talent within all the communities in their country. The US on the other hand prefers to just push anyone that
doesn't fit in their ridiculous ideas of normalcy away.......

So now read this http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=468469&in_page_id=1770

[Andrew]

Ah, but in the US there would have been no question about her dismissal and she wouldn't in a million years have been able to sue! And the media would ignore it. Count your blessings, Brits.