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Bradley/Chelsea Manning |
Washington (AFP) - Transgender personnel will no longer be
barred from serving openly in the US military, the Pentagon announced Thursday
– a major milestone that immediately attracted criticism.
Lifting
the ban on transgender service members is “the right thing to do, and it’s
another step in ensuring that we
continue to recruit and retain the most qualified people,” Defense
Secretary Ashton Carter told reporters.
“Good people are the key to the best
military in the world.”
Up
until five years ago, the US military still banned gay troops from openly
discussing their sexuality under a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
The new
transgender policy will be phased in during a one-year period, but effective
immediately, the military can no longer discharge or deny reenlistment to
troops based solely on their gender identity and transgender service members
currently on duty can now serve openly.
By July
1 next year, the services will begin allowing transgender personnel to sign up,
assuming they have met the necessary physical and mental standards to do so,
the Pentagon said.
Under the new policy, the Pentagon will
cover medical expenses related to being transgender, including gender
reassignment surgeries when they are deemed “medically necessary.”
Republican
Congressman Mac Thornberry, who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, said
the
move could lead to troops not being ready to deploy for medical reasons.
“This
is the latest example of the Pentagon and the president prioritizing politics
over policy,” Thornberry said.
“Our military readiness – and hence, our
national security – is dependent on our troops being medically ready and
deployable.”
Democratic
Senator Dick Durbin said the new policy allows transgender troops “to continue to serve without living a lie,
and provides much-needed clarity to commanders who for years have been stuck in
the middle of a confusing policy.”
The US
military has about 1.3 million service members. According to a RAND study,
about 2,500 of these active-duty service members are transgender, as well as
about 1,500 out of approximately 825,000 reserve troops.
The
military will start paying for transgender-related medical treatment no later
than October 1, Carter said.
At
least 18 countries already allow transgender personnel to serve openly in their
militaries, Carter said, including Britain, Israel and Australia.
He last
year ordered all military roles – including combat positions – to be opened to women.
Article: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-military-lifts-ban-transgender-personnel-174251642.html
Food
for thought:
Wow, this is interesting!!!
Why should the public be
responsible for footing the bill for gender reassignment surgery?!!
I think that should be a
part of the enlistment criteria, "Knowing who you are before you sign your
life away!!" It will make life
easier for everyone. Especially when new recruits go through the training
phase!! Safety is paramount, in living quarters, shower areas and meeting the
physical fitness requirements; where "MEN" obviously have home team
advantage!! Now we are allowing a “former
man” to compete and combat against our women?
That’s unfair!! Who’s
representing our women on Capitol Hill and overlooked this serious factor?!!
I served 20 years as both
enlisted and as an officer and I was forced to compete against men in Officer
Candidate School, trust me it wasn’t easy!! As far as issues in the workplace, that's an issue for the Pentagon to resolve. Can you say, "Civil Rights Act!!"
Just because a few HARD-Charging
women “successfully(?)” graduated from a few of the Army’s toughest training
courses doesn’t prove anything in my book, besides obvious interference from
key politicians. Can you say, G.I. Jane!! RIGHT!!!
As far a former
officer, I dealt with a number of personnel with "bi-polar" disorder
and they switched gears when their medication ran out and it proved to be detrimental
to the mission!! This is a serious issue
that requires more medical research!!
As a military Veteran, I
take enormous pride in having fought for the Freedom and Liberties that ALL US citizens should enjoy, and I strongly support sustaining a strong military
fighting force.
I have family members that are members of the LGBT community and I've observed their behavior as teenagers into early adulthood and trust me, they can go from one extreme to the next and could present a dangerous situation while in combat. Let us not forget the Bradley/Chelsea Manning case!! I agree with Congressman Thornberry's position, this move could very easily interfere with troops not being ready to deploy for medical and other reasons.
Our military's preparedness and readiness is driven by quotas. Why would we impede upon critical missions while someone is recovering from a boob job and adjustment to his or her new lifestyle in such a strenuous working environment?! Just saying....
I have family members that are members of the LGBT community and I've observed their behavior as teenagers into early adulthood and trust me, they can go from one extreme to the next and could present a dangerous situation while in combat. Let us not forget the Bradley/Chelsea Manning case!! I agree with Congressman Thornberry's position, this move could very easily interfere with troops not being ready to deploy for medical and other reasons.
Our military's preparedness and readiness is driven by quotas. Why would we impede upon critical missions while someone is recovering from a boob job and adjustment to his or her new lifestyle in such a strenuous working environment?! Just saying....