So With The Repeal Of Dado

[Guest Cynthia Of Creation]

ok so now gl are allowed to serve openly does this include b,t? and is it now or soon be possible to transition while in the armed forces?

[Guest Emily Ray]

I would say that B is included. T on the other hand is a different issue. We have a medical condition and as such it isn't in the same catagory as a "lifestyle" I not saying it isn't either because I have heard of women in the airforce who have transitioned on the job. It is a command by command decision. I would expect it to be a battalion level decision. In the Marines I would say no way and not for many years. The other branches are larger and they have a greater number of women and their cultures are more liberal. In the Marines every Marine is a basic rifleman and their are fewer non combqat positions to transition into. Going MTF and they would just not alow a former woman fight for the forseeable future. This is just my humble opinion as a former Marine.

Huggs

Emily

[Guest Guest_SL]

The military does not support any non-medical treatments such as plastic surgery and the like unless it's to repair damage from an injury or to relieve a medical condition which took place after enlistment. Other things, like hair transplants, or breast enhancement or reduction (unless for medical reasons) can be done if they don't interfere with a service members duties.

The extensive process of transitioning on active duty would be impractical and virtually impossible.

I know the VA recognizes any trans Vet by their gender but won't support medical treatments.

I'm guessing if a transgender person were to enlist, as long as they could pass the standard physical and be able to be deployed for extended periods without the need for medical support not provided by the military, couldn't be turned down with the passage of the DADT repeal.

That was such BS anyway. Anyone who has served knows gay men and women serve, many for a career and in my thirty years, I must have served with dozens of gay soldiers. Most would "out" to their fellow soldiers as you need to rely on each other and secrets undermine the trust you need to function as the military must.

I can't recall one incident where a gay member was treated any different than any other soldier who did their job.

In one unit, there was this vicious, gay predator and he would prey on any young member, gay or not but he was caught and while awaiting his Court Marshall, died of a heart attack. I don't think he was as gay as he was sadistic.

SL

[Guest Tiaria]

I would say that B is included. T on the other hand is a different issue. We have a medical condition and as such it isn't in the same catagory as a "lifestyle" I not saying it isn't either because I have heard of women in the airforce who have transitioned on the job. It is a command by command decision. I would expect it to be a battalion level decision. In the Marines I would say no way and not for many years. The other branches are larger and they have a greater number of women and their cultures are more liberal. In the Marines every Marine is a basic rifleman and their are fewer non combqat positions to transition into. Going MTF and they would just not alow a former woman fight for the forseeable future. This is just my humble opinion as a former Marine.

Huggs

Emily

"Medical condition"? You make it sound so depressing...

Anyway, even if I were American, which I'm not, I wouldn't join the military.

I'll fight in my own way.

[Guest Guest_SL]

Emily,

I was unaware the AF allowed transition but they had a much more liberal stance when it came to DADT. Gay service members in the AF are not only tolerated but welcomed. It's such a technology driven service, the need for qualified personal with higher than usual intelligence levels makes being gay easier once the member is in an actual unit and past training.

My last duty station I was housed in an AF dorm and one officer in the wing was a lesbian as were the two gals who roomed across the hall from me. The officer was a runner and we'd run after work sometimes and she was very strict and by the book. Their wing was as squared away as any I'd seen.

The two gals across from me were great and were always doing nice things for me. I think they felt sorry for an old timer!

Sadly, very sadly, one of the girls died overseas when the aircraft she was riding in crashed.

With the repeal of the moronic DADT, perhaps she can be recognized as a gay service member who died in defense of her country.

Sara Lee

[Guest Cynthia Of Creation]

i found this to be intresting,

hypothetical,

1 all srs @ hrt and such covered by soldier, done on leave or docter

2 written docter notes of course, cuz of urine tests

3 pass all physical and tests

4perform well

would it than work out for lets say navy cuz no one mentioned navy? i heard a captain came out of the navy and transitioned. but im curious of to how it is now?

[Guest Guest_SL]

i found this to be intresting,

hypothetical,

1 all srs @ hrt and such covered by soldier, done on leave or docter

2 written docter notes of course, cuz of urine tests

3 pass all physical and tests

4perform well

would it than work out for lets say navy cuz no one mentioned navy? i heard a captain came out of the navy and transitioned. but im curious of to how it is now?

It's possible it would work for all branches. The Navy and the Coast Guard have the same basic requirements as the other branches and some of the jobs are very physically demanding but, as long the member remains able to do whatever job, and the periods of absence are within regulation, it's my opinion that it can done. Here's a thought. Even prior to the repeal of DADT, if a service member wanted to transition but was not gay, how could the military stop them? As long as they kept their original male/female identifier, paid all the costs, didn't loose duty time, could still preform to standard, they should have been able to trans. Like if a member was a cd only. Okay, off duty you can wear what you choose. Sure, you run the risk of being harassed by your fellow soldiers and even held down by your command, unofficially, of course. You had the right to wear what ever you chose after duty hours.

It might not be the easiest thing to do but I'm telling you, the military at the working level is much more liberal than you might think. In the trenches where the work get's done, it's about the job and keeping the faith with your unit.

As I mentioned, I served with a lot of gay and lesbian service members and no one "outed" any of them. Not once. I'm sure it happened but not in any unit in which I served.

A thief, welcher or malingerer would get axed quicker than a gay member.

[Guest Cynthia Of Creation]

It's possible it would work for all branches. The Navy and the Coast Guard have the same basic requirements as the other branches and some of the jobs are very physically demanding but, as long the member remains able to do whatever job, and the periods of absence are within regulation, it's my opinion that it can done. Here's a thought. Even prior to the repeal of DADT, if a service member wanted to transition but was not gay, how could the military stop them? As long as they kept their original male/female identifier, paid all the costs, didn't loose duty time, could still preform to standard, they should have been able to trans. Like if a member was a cd only. Okay, off duty you can wear what you choose. Sure, you run the risk of being harassed by your fellow soldiers and even held down by your command, unofficially, of course. You had the right to wear what ever you chose after duty hours.

It might not be the easiest thing to do but I'm telling you, the military at the working level is much more liberal than you might think. In the trenches where the work get's done, it's about the job and keeping the faith with your unit.

As I mentioned, I served with a lot of gay and lesbian service members and no one "outed" any of them. Not once. I'm sure it happened but not in any unit in which I served.

A thief, welcher or malingerer would get axed quicker than a gay member.

well ive talked two a few people, some saying no definate! well i like this more, its more hopefull! well if i join, im gonna work my arse off! and than work it off even more, although i might need to buy a new one with working it off so much.

[Guest willow ann]

I am so glad that DADT policy got repealed. I'm hoping that one day transgendered people can openly serve. I was discharged from the Army in 2006 for being a transsexual and I got outed while being deployed to Iraq. I was kind of embarrassed by the fact people knew my secret. I had just found out myself what being a transsexual was, I was never raised around transgendered or gay/lesbians. I met only one gay person while I worked in a fast food restaurant just before I left for the Army so I didn't even know that I was up until then. I didn't know how to deal with it and I was in a war zone to boot. I then got sent back to my company's base right after I was outed. I was stationed with a detachment. When i got to the camp nobody treated me any different than before. My commander, who was a woman, gave me a funny look but she didn't question it. I'm still friends with my then platoon sergeant. Back to the subject though. I do really wish that could happen soon. I miss the military lifestyle Maybe I'm just getting old and want to relive my life again anyways thats my thought on it

[Guest Cynthia Of Creation]

ya i know a few in and they all love it!

[Guest EmilyRose]

To the best of my knowledge none of the branches officially allow transition. I think this will remain the case as long as transsexualism is included in the DSM and considered a psychological problem. I wouldn't recommend planning to join the military if you already know you are transsexual and plan to transition. I found it extremely painful and difficult to guard my secret when in such close quarters with fellow service members.

That said, if you perform honorably and complete the minimum tour (3 or 4 years), you can earn the GI bill money and transition while attending college, perhaps with VA help depending on where you reside.

[Guest Lanah]

I am curiois, how did the air force members transition? I am active air force. After reading the separation AFI it clearly states transexualism in adolescence or adults is a mental health discharge.

[Guest Gina9223]

DADT Repeal is only for Gay and Lesbians directly and Bisexuals become a non issue.

Transgender service members at this time are not included and are still subject to discharge due to mental defect.

Intersexed service members at this time are not included and are still subject to discharge due to physical defect.

How do WE change it? Write your Congress members. Push them to do the right thing. God knows, I've been bugging the nuts out of mine.

[Guest ShannonA23]

I would say that B is included. T on the other hand is a different issue. We have a medical condition and as such it isn't in the same catagory as a "lifestyle" I not saying it isn't either because I have heard of women in the airforce who have transitioned on the job. It is a command by command decision. I would expect it to be a battalion level decision. In the Marines I would say no way and not for many years. The other branches are larger and they have a greater number of women and their cultures are more liberal. In the Marines every Marine is a basic rifleman and their are fewer non combqat positions to transition into. Going MTF and they would just not alow a former woman fight for the forseeable future. This is just my humble opinion as a former Marine.

Huggs

Emily

Agreed, they are still crying about DADT repeal.

[Guest Cyndi]

DADT Repeal is only for Gay and Lesbians directly and Bisexuals become a non issue.

Transgender service members at this time are not included and are still subject to discharge due to mental defect.

Intersexed service members at this time are not included and are still subject to discharge due to physical defect.

How do WE change it? Write your Congress members. Push them to do the right thing. God knows, I've been bugging the nuts out of mine.

Gina is correct on this... First, the DADT repeal has not gone into effect so no one should come out yet! Second, the repeal will not permit trans people from joining, coming out, and definitely not transitioning while still serving in any of the branches.

While there may be stories of people transitioning while in, this is highly unlikely and if and when caught by the medical facility (routine check-ups are mandatory) the member would be separated from the service. Don't think you can begin transitioning with HRT, breast augmentation/reduction and definitely not SRS surgery as all would be grounds for discharge.

Until, as Gina said, we can get Congress and the medical community to change their view on being transgendered from a psychological defect that is incurable and incompatible with military service, to one that can be dealt with and once transitioned, have healthy, productive and proud members willing to serve their country the same as anyone else.

As you may know, I'm active AF and I strongly dissuade you from attempting or inquiring about transitioning while still enlisted, commissioned, or otherwise still serving in the military. Only once retired or separated should you take the medical steps towards completing your transition. I'd hate to hear of any more worthy individuals being ousted from the military for reasons beyond their control. If we hang on, probably not while I'm still in, but soon hopefully the trans community will enjoy the same freedoms that the LGB community will soon have in the military.

Cyndi