About three years ago I was interested in joining the National Guard but decided not to sign up because of the whole "don't ask don't tell" thing (at the time I identified as lesbian >.>)

Now I'm reconsidering enlisting (not sure which branch yet) and I was just wondering if anyone had any information that could possibly be useful. I'm pre-op but I've been on T for 5 months.

Thanks!
Lex

I don't think the military or government is allowed to discriminate against people who are trans.  I know, through the medical insurance that the military gives, they will pay for you to go through SRS/GRS if you can document you have been trans since birth/childhood.

I was interested too, but in joining the navy.  I'd recommend contacting the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which is what I did.  I spoke with a lawyer and basically it would never happen, according to him.  It's medically disqualifying.  I was pre-T at the time, and proposed both joining and starting T later, or starting T and then joining, and unfortunately I'd be done either way.  I'm not sure if the national guard is any different, which is why I would contact SLDN and ask,but I think the gay community will get to serve long before the trans community gets its chance.   

edited to include helpful link!
http://www.hrc.org/issues/1544.htm

Thank you both for the replies!

@Quicksand, I know of a guy who is FTM and in the military.. so I don't think it's completely impossible.. just difficult. I'm going to try to set a time up so that I can talk with him about it, but who knows if it'll happen.

Ah really?  Awesome, glad someone was able to make it work!  Definitely do that and let us all know if you get some inside scoop we weren't aware of!

I thought that anyone who was dependent on medication couldn't...

because of your T shots.. you wouldn't always be able to do it..

but hey.. I dont know for sure

Quote from: Elijah on July 11, 2010, 07:19:20 PM
I thought that anyone who was dependent on medication couldn't...

because of your T shots.. you wouldn't always be able to do it..

but hey.. I dont know for sure

If, this is going to sound wrong and I'm not advocating lying, you don't tell them before you join they can't stop you because they don't check your medical records before you join.  And then, once you get in and if you have documentation that you have been trans since birth, the insurance might cover the surgeries and the therapy and everything that goes with it.  (I checked out SRS/GRS because I was seeing if the insurance would cover me, but I don't have documentation so I can't do it.)

I believe they give a complete physical though...he's visibly male, so if he hasn't legally changed his gender then he could be rejected based on what might be seen as having hormone issues, and if he has legally changed his gender, they'll definitely notice that during the physical

All I know is that if you're ftm and it says male on any of your legal documents you're required to register for the draft.

Quote from: Quicksand on July 11, 2010, 07:30:30 PM
I believe they give a complete physical though...he's visibly male, so if he hasn't legally changed his gender then he could be rejected based on what might be seen as having hormone issues, and if he has legally changed his gender, they'll definitely notice that during the physical

I forgot about that (I'm not in the military and can't join so I have to bug my sister and parents).  I still don't think they're allowed to discriminate, and he might want to find a really really good recruiter who is willing to help him.  It takes a lot of work to find a good recruiter, but it's possible.  I'd offer my aunt, but she's not...very open to many things.

Quote from: Kyle XD on July 11, 2010, 07:35:16 PM
All I know is that if you're ftm and it says male on any of your legal documents you're required to register for the draft.

True, but that's because in the system it only sees that you're male.  If you notify them that you're FTM they can bypass it.  That's what I did; at first I tried to actually register for the draft but it wouldn't let me do that either because I'm not legally male anywhere besides my university

I hate to see bad info passes on the ability to join the military so heres this.....

The military considers having had any type of gender-confirming surgery to be a major genital abnormality or defect, even if there are no complications after surgery. If an individual is at any other stage of transition, or does not plan on having surgery, the military considers transsexuality to be a disqualifying psychiatric condition.

Trust me I'm in the military now pre everything because of the militay I have to wait till I'm out.

Quote from: Shang on July 11, 2010, 06:39:36 PM
I don't think the military or government is allowed to discriminate against people who are trans.  I know, through the medical insurance that the military gives, they will pay for you to go through SRS/GRS if you can document you have been trans since birth/childhood.

That's incorrect - they absolutely are and do. Being trans is medically disqualifying, no waiver, no question.

Quote from: Quicksand on July 11, 2010, 07:40:47 PM
True, but that's because in the system it only sees that you're male.  If you notify them that you're FTM they can bypass it.  That's what I did; at first I tried to actually register for the draft but it wouldn't let me do that either because I'm not legally male anywhere besides my university

I'm not gonna even bother unless they nag me.

Quote from: kyril on July 11, 2010, 07:57:12 PM
That's incorrect - they absolutely are and do. Being trans is medically disqualifying, no waiver, no question.

Then why would they have a part in their insurance saying that they would help with the surgery?  Granted it was labelled under "sex change", but it did say that it will cover it if you have the documentation from very early childhood which makes it pretty damn hard to get the surgery but not impossible.

2 things:
(1) Tricare covers family members too. Children of servicemembers, and occasionally spouses, get trans-related treatment covered under military insurance.
(2) Military insurance covers all manner of conditions that are medically disqualifying. You'll find that diabetes is also covered - but it, like being trans, is an absolute disqualifier. The military provides virtually any medically necessary treatment to people who have already joined before being diagnosed with a condition- that doesn't mean they'll let you join with that condition. They provide physical therapy to amputees, too, before they kick them out...

Again, thanks to everyone who provided info.. I really appreciate it. It's just really disappointing to learn that I'll probably never get in. The only thing I can think of that might change anything is that the APA (american psychologist association-- or something like that >.>) is throwing an idea around to change GID (gender identity disorder) into GI (gender incongruence).. meaning that it's no longer a mental disorder, so to speak.. but that may take awhile to pass.. if they even decide to do it. Man, I can't WAIT to go to therapy on Friday! >.<

Quote from: Lex on July 11, 2010, 09:39:40 PMmeaning that it's no longer a mental disorder, so to speak.. but that may take awhile to pass.. if they even decide to do it. Man, I can't WAIT to go to therapy on Friday! >.<

I don't think the military cares if it's a  mental illness or not, they care that your bits and pieces aren't "typical" for your gender.

Just an update of info: I learned today that the guy (We'll call him Rob) enlisted in the Army pre- transition and while serving he decided to transtion. Turns out I'm actually going to get some contact info and hopefully talk to him.

I had a friend who had been on T for 2 years and who had everything changed to male, who was NOT allowed to join the military. Being trans disqualifies you. For multiple reasons:

A) You can't join the military if you rely on a medication. ESPECIALLY injections.

B) You can't join if you have a serious physiological disorder (which the military considers GID to be). If you've been diagnosed with GID, which is required to take T, then it stays on your medical record forever.


The only transpeople i know who are in the military are pre-t, and in the closet. I've heard quite a few stories from veteran transwomen where the military will cover their HRT and SRS, but that's after they've left active duty.