The Air Force Academy graduated its first transgender cadets...

[Jessica_Rose]

The Air Force Academy graduated its first transgender cadets. Now they're getting kicked out.

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/06/the-air-force-academy-graduated-its-first-transgender-cadets-now-theyre-getting-kicked-out/

Alex Bollinger (4 June 2025)

This week, the first three transgender graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy walked across the stage at Falcon Stadium to receive their diplomas.

But while they met all the same physical, academic, and personal standards that their classmates did, they will be denied commissions in the U.S. military because they're transgender. And they're waiting to find out if they have to now pay for their four years of schooling after Donald Trump banned them from joining the military.

Hunter Marquez is one of the three trans students who just graduated from the Air Force Academy, earning degrees in aeronautical engineering and applied mathematics. He passed the Air Force's fitness tests according to its standards for men. he thought that, now that he graduated, he would have earned his commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

But the rug was pulled out from under Marquez just as he graduated, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordering each branch of the military to start kicking transgender people out next week. Marquez and the other two trans graduates were placed on administrative leave and warned that they might have to reimburse the Air Force for the cost of their education, which could mean that they'll have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, if they don't voluntarily leave the military.

[Lori Dee]

I saw a similar story that this is happening at the Naval Academy, West Point, and others.

I think there is a legal argument that they were fully qualified and accepted for training in the beginning. It is not their fault that the government changed its regulations without evidence.

I hope they sue and get millions of dollars in compensation, AND get hired by a progressive aerospace corporation where they can be themselves and earn great pay and benefits.

They have my respect for wanting to serve and completing their training. They deserve better.