Open to all! Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced on Thursday, June 30, that transgender individuals will be allowed to openly serve in the U.S. military. Effective immediately, transgender service members no longer face the risk of being discharged for their gender identity.
With the ban rescinded, transgender troops currently serving will be able to change their gender in the Pentagon’s system and receive medical attention by October 1, the Associated Press reports. Within a year, the military will allow transgender people to enlist, as long as they have been secure in their new gender for 18 months and meet all other standard requirements.
“This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force,” Carter said, according to NBC News. “We’re talking about talented Americans who are serving with distinction or who want the opportunity to serve. We can’t allow barriers unrelated to a person’s qualifications prevent us from recruiting and retaining those who can best accomplish the mission.”
A study by the RAND Corporation, which was commissioned by Carter, found that out of about 1.3 million active-duty members of the military, an estimated 2,450 are transgender and that each year about 65 service members would like to transition, The New York Times says.
Last July, Carter called for a change in the policy, saying it was “outdated.” Prior to lifting the ban, some military officials expressed concern about whether the department was making changes too quickly. Some worried it could harm the military’s readiness in combat.
The ban on transgender troops was one of the last remaining barriers that prevented men and women from serving their country. In December, a policy change opened up all combat roles — even those on the front line — to females. The ban on gay, lesbian and bisexual service members was removed in 2011 when the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law was repealed.
