HOW THE SELECTIVE SERVICE IMPACTS TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

http://isabellestpierre.wordpress.com/2008/07/28/the-selective-service/
Isabelle Saint-Pierre
7/29/2008

The Selective Service System was established in 1917 to administer the draft and maintain an updated database of potential service members in times of no draft. It was meant to be a simple system in which men registered and women were exempt. This thinking, however, largely fails to account for the transgender experience. The information below has been compiled to help you navigate this system.

That's one concern I've been thinking about, actually. When I transition, I'll be given an "M."

Now, there is such a thing as being "medically exempt." I think they don't let transpeople into the forces because they consider us "mentally ill." So I guess calling calling our gender identity a disorder has at least one benefit.

transwomen have to register until their 26 El, think yu missed that one, and i think that's BS. this is what my sis and i were arguing about with my soon to be two sons, she didn't want to believe me by federal law that they have to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday.

thanks Natasha and Izzy for the info. i sure passed it on to her.


Warrior Princess Mickie

WTF? But they're not men. That's ridiculous. A lot of transwomen probably don't know how to even hold a gun. Not to be sexist, but I'm sure a lot of transwomen don't care for guns.

Funny. I own enough to outfit a third world nation's army. Have owned/fired everything from a small .22 pistol to Class 3 firearms (the M-60 was a trip!).

As for Selective Service, it is an antiquated system and one that may not be that relevant anymore unless the attitude about a National Draft changes at the Pentagon (which I do not see happening anytime soon). Of course their policies reflect the rest of the federal .gov.

I may need to borrow your weapons, Mnemosyne.

I have devised a plan by which I will bring democracy to Canada through violence and force and then pay inept and fraudulent companies to support me and my troops.


'tis the Americant, or is it AmeriMcCant? way?

Quote from: Elwood on July 29, 2008, 05:47:38 PM
Now, there is such a thing as being "medically exempt." I think they don't let transpeople into the forces because they consider us "mentally ill." So I guess calling calling our gender identity a disorder has at least one benefit.

I forwarded a copy of my court order for name change to Selective Services and informed them to alter my records, but they can't change the gender marker without a surgeon's letter.  If there ever is a draft, I will politely inform them that I'm transgendered and I have a really bad back, and would be more of a burden to them anyhow.  And THEN, if they still want me, I'll find another way to dodge it.

I hate war, hate guns, and hate the military (but not those who serve willingly).  You wouldn't catch me dead in the military.

Jenn

Since they officially weed-out LTBG people. Why is this a problem for any of us? Just out yourself, for now that should do the trick.

Nichole

Quote from: fae_reborn on July 30, 2008, 02:52:57 PM

Quote from: Elwood on July 29, 2008, 05:47:38 PMNow, there is such a thing as being "medically exempt." I think they don't let transpeople into the forces because they consider us "mentally ill." So I guess calling calling our gender identity a disorder has at least one benefit.

I forwarded a copy of my court order for name change to Selective Services and informed them to alter my records, but they can't change the gender marker without a surgeon's letter.  If there ever is a draft, I will politely inform them that I'm transgendered and I have a really bad back, and would be more of a burden to them anyhow.  And THEN, if they still want me, I'll find another way to dodge it.

I hate war, hate guns, and hate the military (but not those who serve willingly).  You wouldn't catch me dead in the military.

Jenn

I think you'll be able to find a way. Hopefully there just won't be a draft!

A lot of transwomen probably don't know how to even hold a gun.

Hence basic training.  Throughout history armies have been pretty good at taking young kids and making killers out of them.  Much easier than you might think.

I own guns, use them often.  I know far more than several transwomen - perhaps in part due to the 'overcompensation' thing - several were Special Forces, one who was a Seal, another who was a Ranger.  Many, many more have served this nation in the military.

A draft is interesting, if anything bad breaks out, we will need it as our forces are quite thin right now.  However, the lessons of Viet Nam still hang around and there will be a lot less exemptions.  Perhaps even the big one, women.  Many feminists would insist upon it, and since it takes ten people in the rear for every grunt with the gear, there is a good argument for it.

I never liked guns, except for the short phase where I went through thinking my guy bodies would think I was more like I was more one of them if I kept a few of them around the house. I was pretty good with a gun, especially this Centennial hex barrel 30-30 caliber Winchester lever action. I became pretty adept at shooting at targets in this sand pit behind the family homestead.

But when it came to shooting at a live animal, and I indeed shoot this doe during hunting season with the guys one time. I knew immediately I had made a terrible error. I became acutely aware that I never wanted to experience killing anything ever again. that experience from all those years ago still brings tears for my eyes. I love the little critters to much to ever even harm them in anyway. They come to me sometimes, just to sit and look up at me. How could anyone hurt anything with such innocents  in their eyes.

I don't own guns and will not have them around the house. Except maybe a small caliber hand gun for protection, if so I will certainly never use it even if my life depends on. I am a healer, not a killer. If I did use such a weapon against anyone it would be only if my life or my mates life was at stake. My sister was a better at hunting small game then I ever was when we were kids.

I cant get the guy stuff behind me fast enough, I don't even remember who I was, and the person in the mirror certainly don't any longer look anything like the other spirit that use to inhabit this body. It just was never meant to be. But then there was a time I was a hot rod enthusiast, I had one I named the mean green machine. There weren't that many girls back in the 60's and 70's that I knew that were hot rod enthusiasts, except maybe to ride in one.

My sister certainly did, and she was also a speed boat nut case, she nearly ran over me with the darn thing. Lucky I was a good swimmer back then or I could have got half the top of my head taken off by the propeller. But I believe it wasn't until the 80's that brought out a few brave girls who took an interest in race cars in the 80's I guess I just finished writing a small novel here I believe I need to git.

Cindy