A good friend of mine is going into the military for 4 years and he wants to know if anyone is also looking into going into the military and if there are any ftms who are currently in the military. This is just to know what he has to prepare for and what is accepted/ not accepted. Also he wants to know if the military will check his online accounts prior to going. He really wants to join this site but is afraid that they'll find out. Thanks in advance guys.
I actually don't know anything about FTMs. My family has always been a military family. Don't Ask, Don't Tell is no longer in affect. Gays are allowed to openly be in the military, but I do not know anything about how they work with FTMs. I could probably have my Uncle, who is in the military currently, ask around to see if there are any precedents or what the military feels on the situation, maybe he can find out what a recruiter would tell a potential military recruit.
Ah thanks a ton man, that would really help especially since your Uncle is already in.
I got out of the Navy about 3 years ago. There's one guy here, Alix I believe, who's in the Army right now.
This is for your friend. I'm assuming he's pre-transition. If he has had surgery, he is absolutely disqualified under all circumstances. If he's taken hormones long enough for permanent physical changes, he may have issues getting through the initial medical screening if he can't pass easily for female. If he has a GID diagnosis but hasn't taken any concrete medical steps, he needs to deny it and hope that it doesn't come up in the background check (it probably won't).
Basic stuff: It is not OK to be trans in the military. It's not one of those things like being gay where you can't even hint at the possibility, but it is grounds for a medical discharge if you actually end up getting diagnosed with GID. It also will absolutely disqualify you from enlisting; do not answer "yes" to the trans-related questions on the security and medical questionnaires, even if they're maybe sort of true.
Stuff that will get you kicked out:
Stating to a military mental health professional or doctor that you're trans
Seeking counseling for gender issues from the military mental health system, or probably from a chaplain
Taking hormones or getting surgery
Being diagnosed with GID by a civilian doctor and then allowing the military to find out about it
Changing or trying to change your legal sex
Being openly in a relationship with a woman (prior to the actual repeal of DADT)
Stating that you're attracted to women (prior to DADT repeal)(this includes on e.g. Facebook, MySpace, etc and in your military email and any letters sent to/from a combat zone)
Stuff that will get you in trouble, and possibly get you sent for a mental health evaluation if you make a big deal out of it:
Not following the gender-specific rules for women's hair, uniforms, sleeping quarters, or bathrooms
Asking people to use male pronouns (this includes online)
Using clearly male-specific references to yourself (e.g. calling yourself a man/boy or your parents' son)(this includes online)
Being seen binding without a really good explanation of what it is that doesn't reference body dysphoria/hiding your breasts
You'll also be in trouble if the military becomes aware that you have an account on a trans support site or state anywhere online that you're trans or identify as male. Just remove pictures and identifying information, though, and you'll be fine.
Stuff that may draw attention, but probably won't get you in trouble if you can play innocent:
Changing your name, or using a masculine nickname in first-name situations (this would, however, be in the "get you in trouble" category if you're MTF)
Not being visibly attracted to men, never being in a relationship with a man (prior to DADT repeal)
Having a highly masculine short haircut, if your service doesn't explicitly prohibit it
Wearing men's clothes at most/all times when not in uniform
Attending GLBT functions, marching in Pride parades, etc
Wearing a binder that looks plausibly similar to a sports bra
Stuff that you can do without worrying about it:
Acting masculine, roughhousing, swearing, shouting, being 'one of the guys'
Offhand 'joking' mentions of how you're practically a guy or wish you were a guy
Being competitive and assertive, having all those personality traits that are discouraged in civilian women
Insisting or trying to demonstrate that there's no difference between you and the males you work with
Meeting male physical fitness standards (outside of the Marines, where even if you can do pullups you can't substitute them for the required flexed-arm hang)
Wearing the gender-neutral working uniforms whenever allowed; wearing male versions of gendered working uniforms if you can find a regulation that permits it
Refusing to wear skirted dress uniforms
For the online stuff, it's only going to come out if it's readily visible, like if someone you work with friends you on Facebook or if it comes up when you Google your name and is accompanied by a photo or identifying information that connects it to what they know about you. If you've been mostly anonymous and haven't associated your photo or other easily identifying information with your trans status anywhere, you're fine.
I'm still serving active duty army now. I'd say not to join if you can't wait to transition. You have to remember the vast majority isn't very accepting of people being different. There are plenty of vets on here and I'd bet you'll get same answers from all of us.
That just pisses me off to hear that if you've had the surgeries and made the full transition, you can't join the army. That's still sexist in my eyes, like saying a girl can't do the job of a man. BULLLLLLLLLLLSH*T! >:( :-\
I wouldn't go so far as to say its sexist. I've worked with plenty of women that out do most men. Tons of people are disqualified for physical and mental reasons. The military isn't for everyone.
Thank you so much for the info guys. My friend's a bit sad about all the regulations but he has an inhuman level of patience so I think he should be able to make it for 4 years.
You can join (legally as a male) once you're 'fully' medically transitioned here in Canada (top + bottom done - in some cases they'll even fund it).
US policy is pretty backwards, though. On the bright side, if your friend does have the patience to hold out, I guess it's a great way to save up money for transition and get in awesome shape?
I'd asked the same questions. A friend of mine gave me this link: http://www.sldn.org/pages/transgender-people-and-military-service (http://www.sldn.org/pages/transgender-people-and-military-service)
He's been medically cleared for service, but hasn't transitioned or been on T yet.
FTM's in the USA CANNOT join the military because they consider transsexuals to be psychologically unfit. However if they do not know you are transgendered you can join, but obviously surgeries and most likely taking T would give you away. However I believe you still have to join the draft if your state considers you male.
Quote
While the U.S military maintains that intersex-identified persons are medically
unqualified to serve, it deems transgender identified persons as psychologically unfit
You can read the whole thing here: http://www.palmcenter.org/files/active/0/TransMilitary2007.pdf (http://www.palmcenter.org/files/active/0/TransMilitary2007.pdf)
If your friend still has any questions, please PM me the questions. I know a lot more than I will say here because it could lead to my identity. If these forums were private I would just say everything, but you don't even have to be registered to look at all this.
I will tell you this...
As per the last Dept. of Defense training, until Don't Ask, Don't tell is repealed.... if you are anything but straight cis, you won't be allowed in the military.
After the repel, you can go in if gay, but no trans.....pre, post or anywhere in between will be allowed to enlist.
That is the basics of the training that is being given. The reason I say PM me is I will answer members here. I do work for the government in a capacity I know what will and won't be accepted. I really hate the whole covert crap, but until I am ready to leave my job I have to stay as stealth as possible.