Pentagon ends ban on transgender troops in military

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the U.S. military is ending its ban on openly serving transgender service members.

“Although relatively few in number, we’re talking about talented and trained Americans who are serving their country with honor and distinction”, he said. “We have to have access to 100% of America’s population for our all-volunteer force to be able to recruit from among them the most highly qualified – and to retain them”.

The senior USA official said Carter met with military leaders several times over the past two months, and after discussions this week, agreed to give them an additional 45 days, and was told the military chiefs believe they can work within those guidelines.

Transgender service members will also receive the same medical coverage and protocols as any other military member – receiving all medical care that their doctors deem necessary – according to Carter.

The US defence secretary has long argued that the military must be more inclusive to bring in the best and brightest.

At one year, the services will begin allowing transgender individuals to join the armed forces, assuming they meet accession standards.

The Pentagon has ended its longtime ban on transgender persons serving in the military.

The Pentagon’s timeline for implementation openly transgender service.

“The United States Army is open to all Americans who meet the standard, regardless of who they are”.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon, Thursday, June 30, 2016, where he announced new rules allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the US military.

Present during the news conference as an attendee was Amanda Carter, deputy assistant defense secretary for operational energy and the first openly transgender woman political appointee of any presidential administration. The military services will conduct training over the next couple of months.

There is no official count of transgender service members, but Carter cited an estimate from the thinktank Rand, which said about 2,450 of the 1.3 million active duty service members are transgender. Those currently on duty who have been keeping their gender identity hidden may now serve openly. IAVA will continue to lead to ensure LGBT service members are treated with the same dignity and respect afforded to all members of the military. “I have been guided by on central question”.

‘This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force, ‘ Carter said in making the announcement.

Rep. Mac Thornberry, a Texas Republican who chairs the Armed Services Committee, called on the Pentagon in a letter last July to provide a range of information on the impacts of repealing the ban.