Im shocked this day is finally here. I'm 27 and really want to go back to school and learn civil engineering without going into debt while also learning structure. I really need to get my life in order and I think the Navy or Army could help me do that. Anyone else thinking about it now that it's an option??

Already served my term. 

Hugs, Devlyn

Nope. I am abysmally bad at following orders without question. And I question the reasons the military gets sent where it does.

That said, a good day for those who always wanted to serve but couldn't because of gender.

It seems kind of strange to me though. While there's various bans on being able to use the target public restroom in so many states you can now serve in the military? This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I not only wonder what the policy on which military bathroom to use but why the sudden acceptance of trans people into this one particular arena and not others. In the last 10 years I think they lifted the gay ban and then lifted the restriction to women as well. This is all very remarkable unexpected progress all of a sudden in the place I'd least have expect it to be. Have less people than usual been signing up or something? Are they prepping for something big?

Quote from: T.K.G.W. on June 30, 2016, 07:06:08 PM
Nope. I am abysmally bad at following orders without question. And I question the reasons the military gets sent where it does.

That said, a good day for those who always wanted to serve but couldn't because of gender.

It seems kind of strange to me though. While there's various bans on being able to use the target public restroom in so many states you can now serve in the military? This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I not only wonder what the policy on which military bathroom to use but why the sudden acceptance of trans people into this one particular arena and not others. In the last 10 years I think they lifted the gay ban and then lifted the restriction to women as well. This is all very remarkable unexpected progress all of a sudden in the place I'd least have expect it to be. Have less people than usual been signing up or something?

The reason is that the religious right bigots who control many of the State Governments currently do not control the Executive Branch of the Federal Government which in turn does exclusively control the Military.

And no, there is no recruiting problem right now.



Sapere Aude

The military is federal, those bathroom laws are state level. It's apples and oranges. States don't have to follow federal law, but they forfeit federal money if they don't comply.

Hugs, Devlyn

Ahh the irony of the day. Today is my last day in the military after 20+ years.

I love that they finally lifted their ban, but there is no way anyone could convince me to go back to the military. I did my time and I am so done.

I grew up in the Air Force and on military bases. They'd have to change a lot more than a law for me to even consider it. The entire culture needs to change before I'd even let it cross my mind.

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Been in for almost 10 years. I would think that they are still working on 670-1, for clothing and appearance wise, as well as the medical avenue with dealing with active duty as well as reserves in the branches, to support HRT and including any procedures that would be considered necessary for a transition.
I read through the many articles on it is that to switch over into the gender role of choice, you would need to be on HRT for a time of 18 months.

So my perception may be a little weary of how far along the line of transition that they would include for recruiting under the correct gender.

Just for those considering, be very careful about the choices and there are people still in a denial and hate against our kind in the military branches.

Kate <3
Always remember to smile your face

Quote from: T.K.G.W. on June 30, 2016, 07:06:08 PM
Nope. I am abysmally bad at following orders without question. And I question the reasons the military gets sent where it does.

That said, a good day for those who always wanted to serve but couldn't because of gender.

It seems kind of strange to me though. While there's various bans on being able to use the target public restroom in so many states you can now serve in the military? This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I not only wonder what the policy on which military bathroom to use but why the sudden acceptance of trans people into this one particular arena and not others. In the last 10 years I think they lifted the gay ban and then lifted the restriction to women as well. This is all very remarkable unexpected progress all of a sudden in the place I'd least have expect it to be. Have less people than usual been signing up or something? Are they prepping for something big?

How about it's not a conspiracy, the same orgs that worked on gay marriage (actually same sex marriage--it impacts us too, just look up other countries where trans people were required to get a divorce to transition) and gays in the military lobbied really hard on trans soldiers as well?

Sometimes activism works, this is just an example of that.

I really wanted to join the Navy when I was a teenager, but didn't because of Tailhook and DADT. I wanted to join the reserves a while back but my wife forbade it.

I'm too old now, I would question every order. When I was younger I wanted to be told what to do, now I'm allergic to being told what to do. They wouldn't want me.

Anyone who is thinking about this should just get the full picture first. Read up on rates of sexual assault and harassment in the military (epidemic proportions), rates of TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD in returning soldiers (and not just those in "combat" specialties -- rates of injury are also very high for truck drivers, for example). Also, recruiters lie like rugs about what MOS (military occupational specialty) you'll be trained for.

The fact that they are graciously allowing us to serve while being ourselves doesn't automatically mean that it's going to be a fun date.

This is like a dream for me, but we'll see where I am at in the next year while they settle things after this change.

I have a life now. Since I did not join fresh out of high school and instead "cultivated a garden" I am now in a not so easy position that I can just up and leave.

I will prep with the idea that this may be a real option, but I cannot say for sure.

This is what I have always wanted and here it is happening. However now I feel uncertain and wary to just disrupt my life. I feel selfish in wanting to pursue it if I even can.

I've considered it in the past, and am still entertaining the idea. Navy JAG is very appealing. I want to get through bottom surgery first and have a year of recovery before I make a final decision.

I'm in a group on Facebook for trans people who are considering joining, it's led by some very recognizable folks in the trans military community. I've found it very helpful and would recommend it.

Quote from: Tysilio on July 04, 2016, 10:52:46 AM
Anyone who is thinking about this should just get the full picture first. Read up on rates of sexual assault and harassment in the military (epidemic proportions), rates of TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD in returning soldiers (and not just those in "combat" specialties -- rates of injury are also very high for truck drivers, for example). Also, recruiters lie like rugs about what MOS (military occupational specialty) you'll be trained for.

The fact that they are graciously allowing us to serve while being ourselves doesn't automatically mean that it's going to be a fun date.

You say "get the full picture" then only paint the negatives.

People should also learn about the proud tradition of military service and putting duty above self. They should learn about the many who have paid with their lives to preserve our way of life.

Hugs, Devlyn

Nope, not willing to allow harm to myself for a country that generally doesn't support trans people.

Yes, some of the things we do are inherently dangerous.  But I can honestly say that I've never known a more motivated and good group of people than I knew for 18 months in an Airborne Infantry Company.  They would die trying before they ever gave up.


Sapere Aude

Quote from: FTMax on July 04, 2016, 02:46:34 PM
I've considered it in the past, and am still entertaining the idea. Navy JAG is very appealing. I want to get through bottom surgery first and have a year of recovery before I make a final decision.

I'm in a group on Facebook for trans people who are considering joining, it's led by some very recognizable folks in the trans military community. I've found it very helpful and would recommend it.

Would you PM me the name of the group, please?

I hope this isn't true and it may just be a hunch, but someone who is close to me said when they saw people talking about it on tv it looked like they were only going to cover some of the trans soldiers' medical needs. She said they kept stressing it would only be what a doctor said they needed which made it sound like there would be limited coverage. I didn't see the program. She didn't want to tell me what she had seen or thought about it because she was afraid I'd be upset. If you're planning on joining the military just to get your SRS or needs met please beware in case it isn't just a hunch.

I believe that will probably be true.  I read it too and anyway, nobody in the Military gets any kind of treatment for anything unless a Dr. says to do it.  For those that are already in I don't think there will be any problems.  But it's unclear right now what it means for those that join later.


Sapere Aude