I found this article while searching about possibly attempting to take part in ROTC at a four-year college.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/10/PRIME-military-deployed-to-war-zone-soldier-begins-sex-change-101512w/

It makes me want to just try to be in the Air Force because I am done transitioning to see if it would actually work almost regardless of the consequences I would face if someone found out.

Hm, I have heard that you can not count on the repeal of "don't ask don't tell" to apply to trans people. But there are exceptions. I know of a guy, though I haven't seen him lately who is in the National Guard and they are super about. OTOH, they told him if he were deployed that someone else might have an issue with it.

Maybe someone should write to the VP. He seems to have a taken a personal interest in trans issues.

--Jay

Quote from: kenton_07 on December 18, 2012, 05:33:44 PM
It makes me want to just try to be in the Air Force because I am done transitioning to see if it would actually work almost regardless of the consequences I would face if someone found out.

They would never let you in.  Your only chance would have been to serve before transitioning.

Quote from: wheat thins are delicious on December 18, 2012, 08:29:11 PM
They would never let you in.  Your only chance would have been to serve before transitioning.

Yeah the guy I know was maybe a year in before transitioning.

--Jay

DADT still applies to trans people, so you wouldn't be able to tell them while signing up or technically even while in the service. But, the Air Force seems to be the most relaxed out of all the military divisions, and probably the least likely to make a big deal of it if a F soldier starts getting a deep voice and has a 5 o'clock shadow.

My brother-in-law is in the Air Force, loves it, and he can get away with a lot of stuff. I think the how lax it is can also depend on what type of work you're doing; my brother-in-law just does computer work so that's really relaxed. I am not sure how the ROTC would work with this stuff, I am not too familiar with their program, but you'd definitely need to consider being closeted for awhile if you sign up.

U.S.A.F. has more and better security than the others.  They will find out.

Quote from: tekla on December 18, 2012, 10:36:03 PM
U.S.A.F. has more and better security than the others.  They will find out.

Especially after the whole Wikileaks mess. Don't think that's been forgotten.

Although, I wonder if with the DSMV changing GID to Gender Dysphoria, if the military could still hold that against you. Because it's no longer a mental disorder, which they say is the reason you can't serve.

Quote from: LearnedHand on December 18, 2012, 10:00:38 PM
DADT still applies to trans people, so you wouldn't be able to tell them while signing up or technically even while in the service. But, the Air Force seems to be the most relaxed out of all the military divisions, and probably the least likely to make a big deal of it if a F soldier starts getting a deep voice and has a 5 o'clock shadow.

My brother-in-law is in the Air Force, loves it, and he can get away with a lot of stuff. I think the how lax it is can also depend on what type of work you're doing; my brother-in-law just does computer work so that's really relaxed. I am not sure how the ROTC would work with this stuff, I am not too familiar with their program, but you'd definitely need to consider being closeted for awhile if you sign up.

That's only if you haven't started transitioning. 

Quote from: Keaira on December 18, 2012, 11:33:10 PM
Although, I wonder if with the DSMV changing GID to Gender Dysphoria, if the military could still hold that against you. Because it's no longer a mental disorder, which they say is the reason you can't serve.

While the regulations prohibiting trans folks are based on the DSM-IV, the regulation define the rules the military follows.  I'm hoping with the release of the DSM-V and the changes within it that the regulation will be changed to comply with the new classifications - but I'm not betting on it.  Even if the regs do change - it may take years.  Sine I just got back from the middle east and finally released from my Active Duty tour I'm transferring to the IRR asap!

To the OP... don't waste your time hoping that you can get in and not get caught if you plan on transitioning in uniform.  Those who've managed to do it are the rare exceptions - not the rule.  But there's a big double standard that makes it much more acceptable for FTM to present as men than for MTF to present as female.  I saw plenty of gender ambiguous females running the desert around that had shorter hair than me! 

As for consequences:  if you knowingly enlist under "fraudulant" pretenses and they catch you and kick you out, they will take back any money given in the way of bonuses, bill you for any educational expenses incurred while in uniform (non-military schooling) and possibly bill you for the training and uniforms.  It's a toss up.. sometimes they do nothing and sometimes they do everything they can to go after you.

i hate reading articles like that when the writer uses the wrong pronouns.. douchebag.

also, transitioning openly in the us military is just not an option. i wish it was because I'd jump at the chance, but our country unfortunately just isn't there yet. you'd have to do it in secret like Keith ans keep going by female pronouns while your body goes through massive changes which must be really risky and I'm surprised he's getting away with it. I wish I was Canadian; they allow people to transition in their military and they might even cover some of the costs if I'm remembering correctly.

Quote from: tekla on December 18, 2012, 10:36:03 PM
U.S.A.F. has more and better security than the others.  They will find out.

Yes. My dad was U.S. Air force for 23 years, retired about six months ago, but he spent 8 years as a recruiter. They will find out, its amazing what he found out about the people trying to enlist, and that was before they closed ranks and lowered the numbers they were taking in.

DADT is a huge step forward, and being gay in the military hasn't become magically acceptable just because DADT was repealed. Trans folks are not able to enlist unless they haven't transitioned and make no plans to do so, and never tell anyone. The second you start medical transition they will kick you out, and DIY transition is also an automatic discharge because it's illegal.

Sadly, that is just the way it is at this point in time.

Quote from: Jayr on December 19, 2012, 01:40:14 AM
Hold up. I'm Canadian and I need to say something;

Only post-op folks can enlist.
By post-op I mean, phallo for men, and full vagina surgery for women.
Must be on HRT and have no trace of you being trans. (I guess chest scars are fine.)
Your documents must also be completely changed. They will also require you too keep it on the down low,
recruiters see no point in you being all proud and talking about it every 2 seconds. (Understandable.)

Thing is, usually by the time you've done all this...
You're too old to enlist.

Just had to through that out there.

Source: Friend was in the military for many years, left due too injury and wanting too start transition.
              Now he wants to go back as an instructor.

My mistake, it seems I did NOT remember correctly. I guess it's only an option for young guys and gals with very understanding and financially able parents. Bust. I still like Canada anyways, lol.

There are about eight allied nations (1st world countries) that allow transgenders to serve openly - and some allow and even assist with transitioning.  New Zealand, England, France, Spain, Australia(?).. a couple of others.  The US military is (as usual) a distant second to our allies when it comes to human rights and prejudices.