The White House announced President Trump’s decision regarding the fate of transgender troops on Friday, March 23, 2018.
He reached this conclusion based on recommendations from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Accordingly, transgender troops currently serving may continue to do so, however, the Pentagon has the option to “require them to serve according to the gender at birth. No applications will be accepted from people identifying as transgender.
Mattis asserts there are substantial risks when allowing troops who seek to change or question their gender identity. Moreover, allowing them to serve would create an exemption of established mental and physical standards. He bleieves that these could negatively impact deployment readiness, cause disruption among units, and impose an unwarranted burden on the military. Overall, Mattis contends transgender troops are not conducive to an effective military.
Pentagon officials agreed to continue complying with federal law. That they would continue to evaluate and retain transgender personnel.
Trump’s new policy has to be published in the Federal Register, then reviewed. Generally, these new policies are subject to a public comment period before they are officially enacted.
By Cathy Milne
Source:
The New York Times: Trump Approves New Limits on Transgender Troops in the Military
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