Would he be allowed to? If he is legally a male and passes as one and no one could know about his ->-bleeped-<-, would he still possibly face discrimination or other people somehow finding out?

Assuming you're talking about the U.S. military: no. He'd be disqualified from joining. The background check would turn up his trans history easily, and the pre-enlistment medical exam would find urogenital abnormalities even if he managed to falsify the background check successfully. If he managed to bribe/corrupt the doctor and falsify the background check, he'd be caught if his file were ever submitted for a security clearance, which could be done without his knowledge. He'd also likely be caught at annual physicals or if he were ever injured in the line of duty. If discovered after he enlisted, he'd be prosecuted for fraudulent enlistment and receive a bad conduct discharge and possibly a prison sentence.

Basically: don't even think about it. If you want to serve in the military, if you want it that badly, do it before you transition. Worst case scenario is that you find you simply can't tolerate the gender dysphoria for the term of your enlistment - in that case you get a medical or general discharge and your life isn't ruined.

What if you live in Canada?

Canada doesn't bar transsexuals from its military. It's one of a small but growing group of countries whose militaries are trans-inclusive, including Israel and I believe Spain. Transitioning before enlistment and [assing perfectly wouldn't be necessary; Canada funds trans healthcare and supports transitioning in uniform.

thanks

     Josh,

      Kyril is right on with this one, in the United States when joining the Armed forces I had to undergo an exam not once but twice to determine my biological gender once when enlisting and once when I went to the dark side (becoming an officer).  Canada allows post op TG individuals to serve, however unless you are a citizen of Canada now you may wish to consider what their regulations are regarding foreign nationals in service.

      -Violet

Thanks violet, and yes, I am a citizen of Canada..

Just adding to what Violet said since it's not specific. Post-op means post top and bottom surgery. Without bottom surgery, it's a no go. Good luck.

Even in the Canadian Army?? :S

My understanding is that Canada will accept you but only after EVERYTHING is done.

Quote from: tekla on December 24, 2010, 04:03:24 PM
My understanding is that Canada will accept you but only after EVERYTHING is done.

Or nothing, I believe. If you're not yet in treatment and don't have a record of a GID diagnosis, you can join and then transition at some point while you're in.

Perhaps, but if they are like any other military they want to spend money on guns, ammo and F-16 attack aircraft, not on medical services.  Anything that would say, prohibit you from going on assignment to the Yukon (or whatever the worst assignment is, like Iran, Afghanistan) would pretty much be a ticket out.

      Tekla,
   
      I know this is slightly off topic but...Believe it or not the United States uniformed services actually spends a huge amount of money on the Medical Service Corps.  They do have some archaic policies however when it comes to saving lives from BI (battle injury) or DNBI (disease non-related battle injury) we are extremely effective in treating the physical.  Were we fall short is in the treatment of the emotional and mental injury's or issues which occur.  However there is currently a huge push to promote behavioral health, reduce the social stigma for seeking help and to recruit professionals into the uniformed services to help address these injuries and wounds.  Almost all Trauma advancement comes from the military when it comes to treatment.  I'd encourage you to look at some places such as The Center for the Intrepid (I'd link some info but that violates the rules here).  Aside from some archaic attitudes towards sexuality the United States Armed forces as a whole is extremely committed to supporting it's wounded.  To underline this today, the highest casualty producing event in the Army is suicide and we are trying very hard to prevent these deaths, almost all who are wounded by enemy action today are saved.
   

      Also, while in the uniform the Military is largely sex blind, it's a very hard and unforgiving job were the highest level of professionalism is demanded (that's not to say my kids don't behave as 8 year olds at times).   What most of my NCO's care about is that I care for them and their soldiers, which is what really matters.  I apologize for jumping onto my soap box, but it's a very important thing to know that if you get hurt in the line of duty, a medic, doctor, PA, combat life saver (edit: I left out the nurses sorry!...and likely several others) or just your partner will be there to help you and the miss conception that the United States Military does not place a large focus on health care makes me cringe.  It disheartens me that with the new developing wealth of behavior health help (previously known as mental health) that due to policy I still am required to depend upon the kindness and flexibly of other practitioners to get help.
   
        Respectfully,
   
        -Violet