Posted on Jun 5, 2015
"Air Force Changes Policy on Discharging of Transgender Troops"
9.25K
1
5
Originally published on military.com:
--
The Air Force announced a policy Thursday that makes it more difficult to discharge transgender service men and women, offering greater protections against discrimination based on gender identity.
The move comes two months after the Army made a similar policy, inching the nation's military closer to allowing openly transgender troops. Before this new policy, soldiers diagnosed with gender dysphoria, or those who identify as the opposite sex, were discharged from service based on medical grounds with decisions made by doctors and unit commanders. A psychologist or psychiatrist had to approve any recommended discharge over gender dysphoria, and a unit commander had to determine if the condition disrupted the individual's performance.
The new Air Force policy now requires high-level Air Force officials to render those decisions.
"Though the Air Force policy regarding involuntary separation of gender dysphoric airmen has not changed, the elevation of decision authority to the director, Air Force Review Boards Agency, ensures the ability to consistently apply the existing policy," said Daniel Sitterly, a top Air Force official.
In March, the Army's policy change was the first hint at the Pentagon's slow push for greater inclusiveness. Thursday, Air Force Secretary Deborah James told USA Today she was open to ending any restrictions against transgender soldiers entering the military.
The Pentagon is currently reviewing transgender issues in the military, but a decision is not likely to come for months. The last review was in 2011.
"From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve," James said. "I wouldn't be surprised if this came under review."
The American Military Partner Association, the nation's largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender military families, praised the policy change and called for a closer review of "outdated regulations."
"This is a huge step in the right direction for our transgender airmen and their families, but they are still threatened by outdated regulations preventing them from serving openly and honestly," said AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack. "Transgender service members sacrifice so much for our nation, and they should be able to serve openly, honestly, and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. A service member's gender identity has nothing to do with the ability to get the job done."
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/06/05/air-force-changes-policy-on-discharging-of-transgender-troops.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm
--
The Air Force announced a policy Thursday that makes it more difficult to discharge transgender service men and women, offering greater protections against discrimination based on gender identity.
The move comes two months after the Army made a similar policy, inching the nation's military closer to allowing openly transgender troops. Before this new policy, soldiers diagnosed with gender dysphoria, or those who identify as the opposite sex, were discharged from service based on medical grounds with decisions made by doctors and unit commanders. A psychologist or psychiatrist had to approve any recommended discharge over gender dysphoria, and a unit commander had to determine if the condition disrupted the individual's performance.
The new Air Force policy now requires high-level Air Force officials to render those decisions.
"Though the Air Force policy regarding involuntary separation of gender dysphoric airmen has not changed, the elevation of decision authority to the director, Air Force Review Boards Agency, ensures the ability to consistently apply the existing policy," said Daniel Sitterly, a top Air Force official.
In March, the Army's policy change was the first hint at the Pentagon's slow push for greater inclusiveness. Thursday, Air Force Secretary Deborah James told USA Today she was open to ending any restrictions against transgender soldiers entering the military.
The Pentagon is currently reviewing transgender issues in the military, but a decision is not likely to come for months. The last review was in 2011.
"From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve," James said. "I wouldn't be surprised if this came under review."
The American Military Partner Association, the nation's largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender military families, praised the policy change and called for a closer review of "outdated regulations."
"This is a huge step in the right direction for our transgender airmen and their families, but they are still threatened by outdated regulations preventing them from serving openly and honestly," said AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack. "Transgender service members sacrifice so much for our nation, and they should be able to serve openly, honestly, and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. A service member's gender identity has nothing to do with the ability to get the job done."
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/06/05/air-force-changes-policy-on-discharging-of-transgender-troops.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm
Posted in these groups: 
Transgender
Transgender
Posted >1 y ago
This is a duplicate discussion. Click below to see more on this topic.
I'm proud to be part of this change as this article is about me and my family
"The Air Force announced policy changes Thursday that will make it more difficult to discharge transgender troops, a move that mirrors one made in March by the Army and puts the Pentagon a step closer to allowing transgender people to serve openly.
Troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify as transgender are generally discharged from serving, based on medical grounds. Those decisions have been made by doctors and unit commanders. The new Air Force policy requires those decisions to be reviewed by high-level officials at Air Force headquarters.
"Though the Air Force policy regarding involuntary separation of gender dysphoric Airmen has not changed, the elevation of decision authority to the Director, Air Force Review Boards Agency, ensures the ability to consistently apply the existing policy," Daniel Sitterly, a top Air Force personnel official, said in a statement.
The Air Force and Army moves follow a number of statements from top Pentagon officials about dismantling the policy allowing transgender troops to be kicked out of the services. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said this year in response to a question about transgender service that ability to perform military tasks should be the standard for eligibility.
Air Force Secretary Deborah James expressed openness to allowing transgender troops to serve.
"From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve," James told USA TODAY. "And so I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't come under review."
The Pentagon, as part of a review of medical eligibility rules, is examining the transgender issue. A decision on that is not likely for months. The last review was conducted in 2011.
The Air Force move puts the Pentagon on a path similar to the one it followed on the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which allowed gays and lesbians to serve unless their sexuality was discovered.
Until 2011, the decision to discharge gay troops had been raised to the Pentagon's top lawyer and personnel official and service secretaries. That requirement functioned as a moratorium, as no further dismissals were sought under "don't ask, don't tell."
A psychiatrist or psychologist must support the recommendation for discharge for gender dysphoria. A commander must also determine that the condition interferes with troops' performance of their duty.
Several close allies of the U.S. military, including Great Britain and Israel, allow transgender troops to serve openly."
Read the full story here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/04/air-force-transgender-troops/28501835/
TSgt Hunter Logan TSgt Joshua Copeland SSG (Join to see) CMSgt (Join to see) MAJ (Join to see) TSgt John Collins SSgt Marshall Franklin CMSgt (Join to see)
"The Air Force announced policy changes Thursday that will make it more difficult to discharge transgender troops, a move that mirrors one made in March by the Army and puts the Pentagon a step closer to allowing transgender people to serve openly.
Troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify as transgender are generally discharged from serving, based on medical grounds. Those decisions have been made by doctors and unit commanders. The new Air Force policy requires those decisions to be reviewed by high-level officials at Air Force headquarters.
"Though the Air Force policy regarding involuntary separation of gender dysphoric Airmen has not changed, the elevation of decision authority to the Director, Air Force Review Boards Agency, ensures the ability to consistently apply the existing policy," Daniel Sitterly, a top Air Force personnel official, said in a statement.
The Air Force and Army moves follow a number of statements from top Pentagon officials about dismantling the policy allowing transgender troops to be kicked out of the services. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said this year in response to a question about transgender service that ability to perform military tasks should be the standard for eligibility.
Air Force Secretary Deborah James expressed openness to allowing transgender troops to serve.
"From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve," James told USA TODAY. "And so I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't come under review."
The Pentagon, as part of a review of medical eligibility rules, is examining the transgender issue. A decision on that is not likely for months. The last review was conducted in 2011.
The Air Force move puts the Pentagon on a path similar to the one it followed on the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which allowed gays and lesbians to serve unless their sexuality was discovered.
Until 2011, the decision to discharge gay troops had been raised to the Pentagon's top lawyer and personnel official and service secretaries. That requirement functioned as a moratorium, as no further dismissals were sought under "don't ask, don't tell."
A psychiatrist or psychologist must support the recommendation for discharge for gender dysphoria. A commander must also determine that the condition interferes with troops' performance of their duty.
Several close allies of the U.S. military, including Great Britain and Israel, allow transgender troops to serve openly."
Read the full story here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/04/air-force-transgender-troops/28501835/
TSgt Hunter Logan TSgt Joshua Copeland SSG (Join to see) CMSgt (Join to see) MAJ (Join to see) TSgt John Collins SSgt Marshall Franklin CMSgt (Join to see)
Responses: 5
Transgender is a bar for enlistment as it is a mental disorder according to MEPCOM. Therefore, if someone was able to join the military under false pretenses, they should be processed out for Article 83 Fraudulent enlistment.
I'm really embarrassed seeing some of the responses on here. Why would it even matter as long as they fulfill their duties? Just because you don't agree with someone's lifestyle doesn't mean you have the authority or privilege to say they can't serve their country.
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google