Just to clear up the subject I am NOT confused about my identity. I have always identified myself as a woman and always will.

With that out of the way here is why I'm posting this. I am 22 years old and I have not transitioned. I was raised in a very Christian family and I am my father's only son. I got married and decided the best option was to join the military. I am currently in the Navy and my wife knows about wanting to transition and supports me.

The problem is my command. I love my job and what I do. The last thing I want is to be kicked out for being who I am. Should I wait for them to allow transgenders to transition openly in the military? Or try to risk being let go? It'll be much harder to transition if I am seperated. My wife doesn't work so we wouldn't have any financial support. Any advice? 

Welcome to Susan's Place. I am a belt and suspenders girl so I say be careful. You could work on your voice, remove your beard and appearance in private. You might even do part time in safe areas but that can backfire. In short you have a year or two worth of work ahead of you and that would make the transition go far faster when the time comes. It took me almost 2 years mostly because removing the beard before I was ready for full time.

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Hi Kawaii

I understand that there are various changes going on, so it might be advisable to research the current Naval policy regarding Transgender individuals

Not to alarm you, but I do have personal knowledge of an individual who served diligently as a lieutenant in charge of a special ops group who was disgraced, stripped of their command and benefits and is not even allowed to admit to ever serving as a result of being found out to being transgendered - The JAG took quick action, but that was years ago and policy may have changed since 

Best of luck to you upon your journey

Hugs

Stars and Stripes | Jun 17, 2015 | by Erik Slavin


The Navy may soon join the Air Force and the Army in requiring high-level approval to separate transgender service members from the military, military officials said Tuesday.

"As previously stated, the Navy is looking to elevate the administrative separation authority for transgendered personnel to ensure that this important issue receives the right level of review," Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Ed Early said in a statement Tuesday. "Any proposed changes would not affect the level of discharge authority for other instances of administrative separation."

There is no timeline for a decision, Early added.

If the Navy takes such a step, it would leave the Marine Corps as the only service to not change its policy.

"The Marine Corps is not currently reviewing changes to the decision-making authorities for the involuntary separation of any of our Marines," according to a statement in response to a Stars and Stripes query.

The military formerly mandated administrative separation for service members known to be transgender, until changes to Pentagon personnel regulations in 2014 granted the services leeway.

In March, the Army announced that transgender separations must now be approved by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, as opposed to unit commanders.

Army regulations still allow separation of transgender soldiers if it is found that they have physical or mental conditions "that potentially interfere with assignment to or performance of military duty."

The Air Force Review Boards Agency was announced as the new reviewing authority for airmen on June 4.

"Neither gender dysphoria nor self-identification as transgender is an automatic circumstance that generates involuntary separation," according to the Air Force statement. "A recommendation for discharge because of gender dysphoria must be supported by a report of evaluation by a psychiatrist or Ph.D.-level clinical psychologist."

After a medical recommendation is made, a commander must also then determine that the condition interferes with duty requirements, according to the Air Force statement.

Quote from: Kawaii Girl on November 29, 2015, 09:46:19 PM
Just to clear up the subject I am NOT confused about my identity. I have always identified myself as a woman and always will.

With that out of the way here is why I'm posting this. I am 22 years old and I have not transitioned. I was raised in a very Christian family and I am my father's only son. I got married and decided the best option was to join the military. I am currently in the Navy and my wife knows about wanting to transition and supports me.

The problem is my command. I love my job and what I do. The last thing I want is to be kicked out for being who I am. Should I wait for them to allow transgenders to transition openly in the military? Or try to risk being let go? It'll be much harder to transition if I am seperated. My wife doesn't work so we wouldn't have any financial support. Any advice? 

I too am still on active duty and dealing with the the same issue.   I would advise caution.   SECDEF has satiated that discharged cannot be authorized by local commanders and must be elevated to DoD level.   While cases have probably halted,  that doesn't mean that they have stopped. http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/07/18/transgender-troops-policy-change-raises-many-questions/30256249/

If you work with your local medical practitioner and triad,  you may find support.   Then again,  you might not. There are stories in other services of service members being open.

But you and I know the Navy is different.

Have patience. Transition takes time, and DoD policy will be out this summer. Six-eight months is not that long to wait for a lifetime decision.