@Devlyn: I've begun considering something like that, but I'm not sure what there is out there. As for things like law enforcement and the like, I have no interest.

@Malachite: Yeah, that sounds like a nice idea. I don't think it would particurlarly help me out though.

@A: I don't know, really. I am fully aware that  I have a glorified view of the military. I think perhaps that that's what's keeping me from seeing the deep flaws with any real concern. My father was a Marine and I just would've liked to follow the same path and continue on further than he had. The one thing I know that I wanted to get out of service was to be part of something b igger than myself. While that can be applied to so many other things in life, I feel like there's a tad bit more respect in wanting to put your life up to serve your country and put it up with your fellow soldier.

I honestly have a hard time seeing the extreme dislike of the military shown by most people. I would be happy to be subject to a draft and I have no problem telling my children that it's a fine path to take in life.

Try this site: Msc.navy.mil for starters, there are tons of defense contractors who routinely send civilians to forward operating bases. Raytheon and General Dynamics, Boeing, BAE are a few others. I work on military avionics now, in the past I worked on RADAR and SONAR positioning systems including a week long trip on the Observation Island. Google that. Hugs, Devlyn

Well, Wolf Man, for many people, the very uses the army is employed for are sometimes wrong, so add to that how badly soldiers are treated, how they can be forced to move cities if the army decides so, the risks and the possibility of having to use weapons and murder people and you can hardly get a lot of liking from those. :x

I guess the willingness to undergo all that suffering is dependent on your nationalism and patriotism towards your country..?

A, I believe you are going off topic. This thread is about detransitioning to join the military. There is an anti-war thread in the Politics section that may be better suited for your posts. Hugs, Devlyn

@A: Devlyn's right about the thread thing, but I will say that it's just dependent on the person and not anything more specific than that. I have nearly polar views to that of the typical white religious republican that would join the military, but that wouldn't stop my joining. I don't agree with the way things are being handled by our government through our military, but that too wouldn't stop me. I feel a greater call to still respect this country, what good it has offered, and the things that others are helping to make happen by being part of its military.

I'll stop there to prevent a big deviation from the thread topic. You can message me if you'd like to talk further, I wouldn't mind. Your point is very good.

@Devlyn: Changed the title thread. You're right about it being pretty general. Thank you for the site as well. I really hope I can find something to help me fill the "void".

Thank you again for the help. Hopefully the thread topic will bring about the others you mentioned.

Here is the regulation as stated in AR 40-501

n.  Current or history of psychosexual conditions (302), including, but not limited to transsexualism, exhibitionism,
transvestism, voyeurism, and other paraphilias, do not meet the standard.

As far as for being discharged for being trans; that falls under administrative, NOT medical.

If you are someone who is serving and thinking about coming out it is HIGHLY advised that you contact Servicemember's Legal Defense Network to ensure your legal rights are not violated. It is completely free to use their services.

I know someone in the National Guard in his own state whose CO is allowing him to transition. I didn't think it was actually possible. His understanding is that as long as he stays in state it is okay, overseas it is not. Since he is doing stuff like fighting fires well we need him here. I don't think they would actually pay for T and so on though. I've never heard of this before. I assumed that the repeal of DADT doesn't really apply to trans. Passing 100% wouldn't matter, as eventually the services will make you do a physical.

I'd think the National guard and something like the Marines would be two different animals.

BTW, there are other ways of serving your country. Think about something like AmeriCorps? The Peace Corps has accepted trans members. You can also work for a military contractor. I'm not real gungho these, but to be honest the way things are, the military absolutely needs them.
Detransitioning for this sounds very sad.

I was in VISTA (pre-AmeriCorps). I can't say it was entirely a great experience as I became very depressed. I didn't find it structured enough. AmeriCorps is really a better organization, and you can do a lot of different things. Even work for a Trans organization!

--Jay Jay

  When I joined the Navy in 1971, I had to hold it in.  I managed to deny it nearly completely till about two months after my enlistment was over in 1975.  My service in the Navy was the highlight of my life despite this.  It was the disrespect and indifference to this Vietnam era veteran and other Vietnam vets by others that helped bring out my GID anew.  I gave the Navy a lot of respect and I got a lot of respect from my shipmates in return.  Something that is still lacking in the civilian sector, especially from my fellow Boomers, to this day. 
  Joelene

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it a debate (besides, I don't like to debate). I just wanted to understand. I still don't fully understand, but I'm grateful to you, Wolf Man, for trying to explain. Just like many things, I will surely understand one day.

Oh, one more thing. If it consoles you any, my sister tried to get in the army. It was the Canadian forces, which I think are supposed to be a little less harsh than the US Army. During the training, she started smoking under the influence of the other recruits; and now after many tries, she can't stop. And then, she was permanently (but thankfully not too seriously) injured at the knee because of the very harsh training she underwent. Now she's quite limited in her physical activities, and of course wasn't allowed to join in the end.

I'm not sure why I'm saying this. Perhaps I thought highlighting a bad experience would relieve you a little from your pain of not being able to fulfill the career you dreamed of. Because as much as little as I understand the will to join the army, I certainly do understand your utmost disappointment. I hope you can find a career that will make you as happy.

Thank you everyone for your responses.
@A: Thank you for trying to understand. To further help you understand I would go so far as to compare my desire to join to that of a religious person whose faith is so great that no amount of logic against it would sway them. I would be in your position, at a complete loss of how they can believe in something so ridiculous and that I am very against due to the way it affects the world around it. While I am not an atheist, I don't feel kindly towards religion.
I also want to thank you for sharing your sister's experience. While I can't say for the comparison of the CF to the US Army, I know that it would be far less strenuous compared to the USMC.

Not necessarily right on target, but interesting: http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120801/11213/transgender-military-bradley-manning-defense.htm.

I served in the 80's and 90's, and am glad I did - lots of interesting experiences that I would otherwise have missed out on... though one experience that I did miss out on, of course, was the opportunity to be whole.

While I did not serve in any branch other than the Navy, I would rate them as having a good bit of tolerance... we were all misfits anyway - lol.

Sadie out.

I can't wait to read the whole paper, it'll be really interesting. The one part I don't like is the Bradly Manning connection. He's still a POS in my book.

I believe he was only mentioned in passing... certainly not enough to have warranted his name in the address.

I just thought that was an interesting stat.