Is It Going To Be Worth It?

[Guest Eron]

I'm 18 years old and born female. I have just started learning about ftm and transgender/sexual and all that. It seems to fit me very well, and explains many of the emotions I've had since I was young. I haven't told my family yet, just my best mate, which adds to my worries about all of this. I would really like to start seeing a gender therapist and start binding and packing, but I'm not sure what all I can get away with because I am in USAF ROTC at my college. Does anyone have any experience with this? Are any of you currently in the military? Would it be worth it to start seeing the therapist and everything even if I can't transition for a while because of my military career? I'm sorry if I asked too many questions, any help is appreciated...I'm just really confused and in a rough spot right now.

[Bulldog1948]

I'm 18 years old and born female. I have just started learning about ftm and transgender/sexual and all that. It seems to fit me very well, and explains many of the emotions I've had since I was young. I haven't told my family yet, just my best mate, which adds to my worries about all of this. I would really like to start seeing a gender therapist and start binding and packing, but I'm not sure what all I can get away with because I am in USAF ROTC at my college. Does anyone have any experience with this? Are any of you currently in the military? Would it be worth it to start seeing the therapist and everything even if I can't transition for a while because of my military career? I'm sorry if I asked too many questions, any help is appreciated...I'm just really confused and in a rough spot right now.

I would be extrememly careful, if I were you.If your ROTC unit found out about you, I don't know if they could kick you out or not.

On the other hand, if you can find a TS counsoler in your area, it would probably help you out psychologically. But, I'd put a ho;d on the binding & packing stuff, unless you're miles away from your home sxhool base. If yoy do plan on making the AirForce a carrer, you'll have to put real transitioning on hold for quite a few years. You could get away with the hysto, but breast removal would be very tricky; unless you have the funds to have it done and a dr. that will write the proper surgical paperwork up so the AF doesn't get on your backj.

[Guest Eron]

I would be extrememly careful, if I were you.If your ROTC unit found out about you, I don't know if they could kick you out or not.

On the other hand, if you can find a TS counsoler in your area, it would probably help you out psychologically. But, I'd put a ho;d on the binding & packing stuff, unless you're miles away from your home sxhool base. If yoy do plan on making the AirForce a carrer, you'll have to put real transitioning on hold for quite a few years. You could get away with the hysto, but breast removal would be very tricky; unless you have the funds to have it done and a dr. that will write the proper surgical paperwork up so the AF doesn't get on your backj.

Thanks bulldog for all your advice! Yeah, they can kick me out if they find out, that's what makes it hard. I'm not miles away from my school, I live in the dorms there and have ROTC stuff every day. I am still hoping to atleast see a counselor, I'm not sure about the binding and packing yet. Any other help is appreciated!

[Guest raydub]

There are a couple guys on here who are currently in the military as well as one gentleman who recently left the military. Give it time..theyll log on and see your post and be able to give you more insight. Im sorry I cant help personally.

Good luck though dude.

Ray

[Bulldog1948]

Thanks bulldog for all your advice! Yeah, they can kick me out if they find out, that's what makes it hard. I'm not miles away from my school, I live in the dorms there and have ROTC stuff every day. I am still hoping to atleast see a counselor, I'm not sure about the binding and packing yet. Any other help is appreciated!

Eron, I see that you're here in Ohio. Go Bucks!!! Anyway, if you would feel free to speak the name of the city where you're located, I'm certain that folks on this board may know of an excellant therpatist in your area.

Being in ROTC requires stealth and paitence. All good things come to those who wait, as the old addage goes. Hopefully, by next year, you'll be able to move into private housing and then you can pack and bind within your saftey zone. Also, you may want to keep quiet to any of your classmates and ROTC buddies about being a FTM. They might say they;ll keep it on the QT; but they could come back and bite you in the butt later on; one never knows.

[Guest Eron]

Eron, I see that you're here in Ohio. Go Bucks!!! Anyway, if you would feel free to speak the name of the city where you're located, I'm certain that folks on this board may know of an excellant therpatist in your area.

Being in ROTC requires stealth and paitence. All good things come to those who wait, as the old addage goes. Hopefully, by next year, you'll be able to move into private housing and then you can pack and bind within your saftey zone. Also, you may want to keep quiet to any of your classmates and ROTC buddies about being a FTM. They might say they;ll keep it on the QT; but they could come back and bite you in the butt later on; one never knows.

Thanks bulldog! Haha, yeah Go Bucks for sure! That's where I'm at actually...I start at OSU in about a month, so I'm in Columbus. I hope things will be better by next year, and yeah I'm definitely keeping quiet about being a FTM to almost everyone. I think I'm going to join the GLBT club thing at OSU. I asked around and was told that since it's also a group for supporters of GLBT, I won't get myself into any trouble with my ROTC officers. I'm not sure yet...thanks for all your help! Any other help is appreciated!

[Guest Huff]

Eron-

Since transitioning and being in the US military can't happen together yet, here's some things to consider:

1. Your first two years in ROTC are committment-free. So, you've got two years to quietly go to therapy and sort out what is going to be the best for you before you have to sign the line.

2. If you're convinced you want to be an officer and not enlisted, consider just going to OCS after you graduate. That way you don't have to mess around with ROTC while you're in college and have freedom to 'try out' different gender expressions.

3. You're young (I'm assuming you're under 20 and just going into college)... you're probably looking at 8-10 years of service if you're thinking going ROTC and getting commissioned. That puts you in your late 20's to start transitioning (again assuming that you want to), which is not bad at all if you can tolerate being female.

4. A couple of years ago I would have suggested just joining the Air National Guard or AF Reserve so that you can do essentially whatever you want privately and just play along as female one weekend a month, but that won't work for you if you're trying to get through school (on account of the current deployment tempo).

MK

[Guest Eron]

Eron-

Since transitioning and being in the US military can't happen together yet, here's some things to consider:

1. Your first two years in ROTC are committment-free. So, you've got two years to quietly go to therapy and sort out what is going to be the best for you before you have to sign the line.

2. If you're convinced you want to be an officer and not enlisted, consider just going to OCS after you graduate. That way you don't have to mess around with ROTC while you're in college and have freedom to 'try out' different gender expressions.

3. You're young (I'm assuming you're under 20 and just going into college)... you're probably looking at 8-10 years of service if you're thinking going ROTC and getting commissioned. That puts you in your late 20's to start transitioning (again assuming that you want to), which is not bad at all if you can tolerate being female.

4. A couple of years ago I would have suggested just joining the Air National Guard or AF Reserve so that you can do essentially whatever you want privately and just play along as female one weekend a month, but that won't work for you if you're trying to get through school (on account of the current deployment tempo).

MK

Thanks MK, you made a lot of good points. I only have a year that's commitment free, since I'll be on scholarship next year and you have to commit to get the money. Yeah I'm 18, so it'll be atleast late 20's before I can full out transition. Yeah, I've looked into ANG and Reserves, and you're right, I'd never get through school, I'd get deployed. I don't know much about OCS other than it's really competitive to get into, so not sure about that. Thank you for pointing all that out, it was helpful! Thanks again!