In a controversial move that has reignited discussions around LGBTQ+ rights in the military, the Pentagon has instructed military services to establish procedures for identifying transgender service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria. A memo issued Thursday requires these plans to be in place within 30 days, leading to potential dismissals from the military by March 26.
This is a part of the ongoing fallout from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump aimed at banning transgender individuals from military service. Though challenged in court, the order has prompted renewed focus on how to identify transgender personnel, raising concerns over privacy and the psychological implications of self-disclosure.
According to a senior defense official, there are approximately 4,200 active duty, National Guard, and Reserve members presently diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Over the next decade, the estimated costs for their necessary medical treatments—including psychotherapy and gender-affirming surgeries—are projected at around $52 million. The proposed 2025 budget for the military is $850 billion.
Defense Undersecretary for Personnel Darin Selnick stated in the memo that the military’s high physical and mental standards are incompatible with the medical needs of those experiencing gender dysphoria. He argued that the challenges faced by transitioning individuals detract from the mission readiness and integrity of the armed forces.
Critics of the policy, including lawyers representing transgender service members in an ongoing lawsuit against the executive order, assert that the directive perpetuates discrimination within the military. They argue it marks transgender individuals as “unequal and dispensable,” undermining their dignity in both military and public perceptions.
“Transgender troops are put in a position where they must choose between their safety and loyalty to their friends versus following orders,” said Sarah Warbelow, vice president for legal affairs at the Human Rights Campaign.
Preliminary counts suggest that about 600 transgender service members may be identified within the Navy, with Army estimates varying between 300 and 500, and fewer than 50 in the Marine Corps. These figures likely represent an undercount, as many transgender individuals may have enlisted following their transition and might not be easily identifiable through medical records alone.
The new policy does offer limited exceptions: transgender applicants can enlist if they can demonstrate direct support for warfighting roles, and existing members diagnosed with gender dysphoria can seek waivers if they remain stable in their biological sex without distress for 36 months.
As the situation develops, the Pentagon faces the formidable challenge of balancing military readiness with the rights and dignity of all service members, regardless of gender identity.
