Military, National

DoD Complying with Court Orders Allowing Transgender Persons into the Military


Transgender people in military
A rainbow flag flies as people protest US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he plans to reinstate a ban on transgender individuals from serving in any capacity in the US military, in Times Square, in New York City.Thomson Reuters

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—December 12, 2017

By: Rosemary Piser

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced that it will comply with orders from the federal district and allow transgender individuals in the military. DoD will begin processing transgender applicants on January 1, 2018.

The policy issued by former Secretary Carter in 2016, indicates that a history of gender dysphoria is disqualifying unless, a licensed medical provider certifies that the applicant has been stable without clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning for 18 months. In addition,individuals with a history of medical treatment for gender transition are disqualified unless, a licensed medical provider certifies that the applicant has completed all medical treatment associated with the applicant’s gender transition, the applicant has been stable in the preferred gender for 18 months, and if presently receiving cross-sex hormone therapy post-gender transition, the individual has been stable on such hormones for 18 months.

Guidance also includes specific details for recruits with a history of sex reassignment or genital reconstruction surgery. Under the updated standards, these procedures would be disqualifying unless, a licensed medical provider certifies that a period of 18 months has elapsed since the date of the most recent surgery, no functional limitations or complications persist, and no additional surgeries are required.

Additional information about DoD’s transgender policy can be found here.

Source: www.defense.gov


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