How would you accommodate a transgender subordinate in your unit?

2016-07-16T21:46:52-04:00

Following RAND's study and the one by the Palm Center previous to that, it's clear that there are thousands of transgender people serving right now.

How should the military accommodate these individuals? Should they be allowed to follow the regs of the gender they identify with? Should facilities be assigned by gender, or the physical sex of the service member?

Constructive responses please.

Response by SSG Patricia King made Jul 16 at 2016 9:51 PM

2016-07-16T21:51:05-04:00

The answers provided don't quite give the range to adaquately answer this question. After the RAND study and DOD study what we will likely see is that hormones, real life experience and time will determine the pace at which professional transition happen. A person can not simply come out and expect to adhere to standards in their target gender. I have been out and serving for 18 months. I could not have adhered to female standards the day I came out. I was not ready nor was the army.
Applying WPATH standards will help to create guidelines but ultimately a person should be held to the standards of their target gender before gender confirming surgeries happen.

Response by SPC Michael S. made Jul 16 at 2016 9:56 PM

2016-07-16T21:56:39-04:00

Im glad im not in anymore so i dont have to make these political decisions about everyday life. Life is just soooo confusing the older i get. I try not to understand, and just let it be. You will end up in the psych ward trying to figure life out.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2016 10:53 PM

2016-07-16T22:53:19-04:00

I wouldn't accommodate anyone. ISIS wont

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jul 16 at 2016 11:58 PM

2016-07-16T23:58:59-04:00

Until a doctor (via a profile) says their treatment has crossed a threshold to change standards, a transgendered troop should be treated as their entry sex IMO. From that point I would change over as the profile suggested. Upon completion of treatment and movement to a sustaining treatment, I would suggest changing ERB/ORB and basing standards assessments off of the sex of record.

Response by SSG Jacey R. made Jul 17 at 2016 12:08 AM

2016-07-17T00:08:06-04:00

I am very interested to see how the branches handle things. I only wish I could have been for this change.

Response by CW2 Shawn Stevenson made Jul 17 at 2016 12:20 AM

2016-07-17T00:20:26-04:00

In my opinion, I think the best way to handle the situation is to implement one standard for everyone regardless of age or gender. That would include both PT and wear and appearance.

Response by SSG Michael LeGrand made Jul 17 at 2016 12:20 AM

2016-07-17T00:20:26-04:00

As long as the soldier can "soldier" it wouldn't matter to me if they were gay, transgender, or whatever... As a leader you do have to consider how other soldiers in your unit will handle this as well....I don't think it would be too much of a problem unless they are trying to use what/who they are to gain special favor or get out of things.

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jul 17 at 2016 1:46 AM

2016-07-17T01:46:14-04:00

Two questions:
Is "Accomodate" the right word? If it's about equal treatment then Accomodate lends itself to special treatment Yes? No?

The Army has not issued guidelines or amended regs/policies yet? When "Don't ask don't tell" ended how did the Army handle that policy wise?

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 17 at 2016 2:12 AM

2016-07-17T02:12:30-04:00

THIS IS AN ODD QUESTION... "ACCOMMODATIONS"? I would say ABSOLUTELY NO SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS should be made at all. IF Trans-genders are capable of serving... And the Army is Hell Bent to have them... Then they put up with, do the job and live in the conditions that their normal comrades do. Born a MALE, wear all the women's clothes you want to but you fall under height/weight, BMI and Physical training standards of a MALE not a FEMALE. It is unfair to have a TG max a PT test because the female test is easier than the male test, when He was a he before he was a she. You want to be treated with the same respect as everyone, then EARN that respect by doing the job WITHOUT any Accommodations... OH, and By the way, get used to BORN FEMALE Soldiers not being comfortable with your penis in the female showers and latrines, NOT wanting to share a room with you and the Male Soldiers feeling the same way, BUT since the rights and wishes of the normal Soldiers does not matter...who gives a shit.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 2:26 AM

2016-07-17T02:26:08-04:00

SPC Angela Burnham this is a great question. This would be a great help for the platoon leadership.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 3:26 AM

2016-07-17T03:26:25-04:00

The problem with your question is "how to accommodate?" Soldiers are equal and once a TG Soldier has completed their transition there should be no accommodations granted other than those afforded to ALL Soldiers of the identified gender.

Now, if the question were rephrased to "a TG in transition." Well, now that is a different question. In that case we need to wait for guidance from higher echelons. We don't make policy at our level. We do however enforce policy. Could you imagine if every unit in the Army was accommodating Soldiers with different standards?

Response by PO3 Leroy Leftwich made Jul 17 at 2016 8:19 AM

2016-07-17T08:19:42-04:00

If I was still active, they would toe the line like everyone else. Period. It's up to our front line leaders to keep the flow lines clean of personal off duty crap where it belongs.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 17 at 2016 10:59 AM

2016-07-17T10:59:03-04:00

Accommodate seems like a strange word. If we were out training and they had to use the can I'd let them figure it out and then Yell at them to hurry it up.

Response by SGT Miles Kimberly made Jul 17 at 2016 11:46 AM

2016-07-17T11:46:32-04:00

It's time to make one reg. for all soldiers and hold every soldier to a higher standard.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 1:59 PM

2016-07-17T13:59:50-04:00

No accommodations. Do your job in the manner and standard expected and you will receive the same consideration as everyone else.

Response by LCpl Hilton Hoskins made Jul 17 at 2016 5:27 PM

2016-07-17T17:27:33-04:00

Accomodate? For one the military doesn't accomodate to anyone, work with people, yes, accomodate, no. As far as someone being transgender serving in the Armed forces, their status should be taken into consideration and acknowledged just as any other servicemember should. Find out their strengths and weaknesses and work accordingly just as you would anybody else. Teach them to adapt and overcome obsticles just as you would anyone of your other subordinates. Transgender people are just like anyone else who wears the uniform and should be treated accordingly as well as fairly.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 8:30 PM

2016-07-17T20:30:13-04:00

Considering there are only about 700K transgenders in the U.S. making up between .2 to .3 percent of the total population it would be more accurate to say there are hundreds not thousands serving. Now I have to ask what accommodations should be made and why?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 8:42 PM

2016-07-17T20:42:54-04:00

It is not the role of the military to accommodate persons who choose to join our institution, it is the role of the individual Soldiers (Sailors, etc.) to conform to the customs and regulations that come with military service. When individuals want to be treated "special" is when they start to lose my support and sympathy.
Ruck up and do your duty, and we will get along smashingly.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2016 7:11 AM

2016-07-18T07:11:12-04:00

We should not accommodate. That's not what we do. We got to war and kill bad guys.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jul 18 at 2016 11:17 AM

2016-07-18T11:17:12-04:00

What ever the DOD decides. Everything else is just BS to create hate and discontent. My personal feelings do not count, as a leader. Just developing the most combat ready personnel that I have been assigned. Zero accommodations, what ever that is.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jul 18 at 2016 11:25 AM

2016-07-18T11:25:10-04:00

I think "accommodate" may be the wrong word here. It implies special treatment, when the military is attempting to treat everyone equally, under equal conditions and to equal performance standards. If you want equality, you cannot expect or ask for positive accommodations or positive discrimination.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jul 18 at 2016 12:03 PM

2016-07-18T12:03:09-04:00

As much as the Army tries, they just don't cover everything. I am sure guidelines are coming, but nobody has to make any battle buddy uncomfortable.

While in Iraq I had a female gunner. Jones was the best damn machine gunner in our unit. Her eyesight was freakish and she could walk a burst in better than I ever could. I would take her over any male in our unit.

We would have patrols lasting 12 hours or more and we all had to piss at some point. Now us guys would just go in a water bottle and chunk it. Jones did not have that option. She had to squat in the middle of bad guy land. We had to keep her safe and give her some type of privacy at the same time.

What we would do is find a wall, the front Humvee would stop right up next to it and we would pull up within 3 feet of the back of the lead. The third Humvee would pull up to the side of the two Humvees, blocking the opening to the exposed side. Jones would unass the turret, run down the hood and jump down in the hole we made for her. She would then put her back on the push bar and squat. She would take care of business and be back in the turret in less than 2 minutes.

My point is. Everything is not in an AR manual. We take care of our people. No matter how they identify themselves it is our responsibility to find a solution that works for everybody. We don't have to wait for the Big Army to decide. We already have the guidance of the Army Values.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Jul 18 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-07-18T12:54:17-04:00

In my unit(s) we would have beat the hell out of a transgender until they decided if they were a Man or a Woman. This is nothing GOD created, it is an attention getting fad in the majority of cases. In some cases, regular psychiatric visits may be necessary.

Response by MCPO Katrina Hutcherson made Jul 18 at 2016 2:56 PM

2016-07-18T14:56:21-04:00

It's refreshing to see the positive posts on this subject. I'm in agreement that equal physical standards for all would solve a lot of problems. After transitioning, berthing should be by gender, but I'm also in favor of co-berthing while deployed or in field training. I can't tell you how many times the females did not get the word passed, not to mention missing out on the networking, training and comeraderie with your peers while the females are in a tent with the XO down to an E-3 which was totally inappropriate...

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 18 at 2016 4:03 PM

2016-07-18T16:03:54-04:00

You start by following the regs, and in their absence follow the principal of "Treat Others as You wish to be Treated"

Response by SrA Paul Pfeil made Jul 18 at 2016 7:06 PM

2016-07-18T19:06:51-04:00

No special accommodation for any soldier. Carry your oun or get out. Born male, test male, born female test female, or make all follow male standard which is the hardest. If you can't suck it up buttercup, then wash out. Lives depend on your lazy ass.

Response by CW4(P) Detrottus Thomas made Jul 18 at 2016 10:20 PM

2016-07-18T22:20:54-04:00

I wouldn't accommodate them any more than I would any other Soldier. I came up in an Army that demanded that Soldiers conformed to It's standards but that day and time is far gone. The Army now conforms to Soldiers and IMO it's destroying the core values that the Army is built upon. As far as standards go, they should be required to adhere to the gender standards according to the gender listed on their SRB/ERB/ORB.

Response by Sgt Jason Markvart made Jul 19 at 2016 5:43 AM

2016-07-19T05:43:27-04:00

1. Height/Weight standards should be based on biological sex, not what you identify with. Of course if a "one-standard" is set then this is a non-issue.
2. The military should not have to pay for the surgeries, or medication for those in "transition".
3. Relates to above, but this also includes elective surgeries for dependents. Seen many spouses get lifts, and other cosmetic surgery...that shouldn't be paid for by the tax payers.
4. Remove all the barriers. Make "EVERYTHING" co-ed. This way we remove special accommodations.

If a service member identifies as the opposite sex, but still likes the opposite sex, does that make them gay/lesbian?

Response by SrA Aj Douglas made Jul 20 at 2016 10:05 AM

2016-07-20T10:05:13-04:00

I say they need to be treated as the sex they were born until some sort of pre determined level of transition has been reached. That pre determined level however should also be created by medical doctors and not a board of officers or politicians. I doubt anyone would be willing to transition that openly in the military knowing the amount of "person challenges" and humiliation they would go through unless it was necessary.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 21 at 2016 8:52 AM

2016-07-21T08:52:21-04:00

The questions we should be asking instead of the typical "NO" is? What special accommodations does a transgendered troop need? Will it adversely impact the mission? I haven't knowingly served with a transgendered troop so I am unsure of where to start.

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Jul 21 at 2016 1:01 PM

2016-07-21T13:01:23-04:00

You don't him/her/it the same as you would anyone else in your unit.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jul 23 at 2016 11:32 PM

2016-07-23T23:32:00-04:00

There screwed. And will be sent to a transgender sensitivity course. Maybe even charged with a hate crume.

Response by SSG Trust Palmer made Jul 25 at 2016 9:50 AM

2016-07-25T09:50:19-04:00

Accommodations shouldn't be made just because one chooses to be transgender.

Response by CMSgt Mike Esser made Jul 25 at 2016 4:03 PM

2016-07-25T16:03:41-04:00

Treat them IAW their MOS, insure like any other troop no improper relationships exist or are being harbored, insure senior leadership is fully aware of any issues....tough issue, but not if you look at them PURELY as a soldier and insure they do EXACTLY what all other soldiers are required to do....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 8:20 AM

2016-08-08T08:20:19-04:00

For all those people voting "the physical sex should determine..." my answer os this, you will be (at a minimum) as accomodating as you are ordered to be by the SECDEF and DoD policy, regardless of your opinion.

Response by MAJ Milton P. made Aug 29 at 2016 10:51 AM

2016-08-29T10:51:33-04:00

I would not accommodate , everyone gets treated the same, as a Soldier, with no race or sex attache, the only difference I see is combat arms or non combat arms.

Response by SGT David Baker made Sep 29 at 2016 2:21 AM

2016-09-29T02:21:45-04:00

People are acting as though it is the right of anyone who wants to, to join the Armed Forces. No, no, no. We're like "Dauntless", in the "Insurgent" series...you may choose us, but then we get to choose you. Or not. We choose based on mental aptitude, physical fitness, and adherence to standards, including hair and shaving and GOING IN THE MALE FACILITIES IF YOU HAVE A DICK and vice versa. Maybe you don't have a choice to be a trans-whatever. You DO have a choice whether to join the profession of arms, and the profession DOES have the choice to reject you and cast you out if you don't cut it. End of line, full stop, buh-bye.

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Feb 4 at 2017 10:20 AM

2017-02-04T10:20:56-05:00

I don't think transgendered people want to be accomedated to. They deserve and should be treated with the same dignity and respect as all service members.

Response by SFC Scott Parkhurst made Jul 28 at 2017 12:29 AM

2017-07-28T00:29:04-04:00

Just be who you are....in your heart and soul and more importantly in your brain. If you identify as male or female and wish to transition, then just obey "your" regular military reg.'s. But when it comes to "expecting" and or wanting special privileges or having the reg.'s rewritten for you....then you lost me as support. Again, just be you and do your job whether your male or female period.

Response by CPO Glenn Moss made Aug 4 at 2017 3:59 AM

2017-08-04T03:59:53-04:00

I didn't take the poll, because I think the choices miss the point.

Why should there be any "accommodation" at all?

Is the person a Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, or not? THAT'S the only part that counts.

I would submit that the people who insist on the military "accommodating" transgenders (and any other group of people) have lost their focus on what it means to be "military".

As a submariner, there were shipmates that I suspected, or even on a couple occasions KNEW, were homosexuals before and during the "don't ask, don't tell" period. You know what "accommodations" I made for a homosexual? I'll tell you what accommodations I made.

I worked hard to qualify him, so he could be a safe and effective watchstander. I worked hard to help him earn his Dolphins.

I stood watch with him. I ran drills with him. I trained with him. I did maintenance with him. I troubleshot and repaired equipment with him. I fought casualties with him. I ran the PRT with him. I ate on the Crews Mess with him. I burned flicks on the Crews Mess with him. I deployed for months on end with him. I slept in the same berthing with him. I celebrated halfway night with him. I went on liberty with him.

THAT'S how I "accommodated" people I thought, or knew, were homosexuals at my commands.

I did not CHANGE anything to "accommodate" homosexuals. I simply treated them as my shipmates, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE.

There are now, since I've retired, women serving aboard submarines. Amazingly, I actually got to deploy on a submarine on mission for several weeks as a civilian shipyard engineer not long ago, the USS Florida. They have a mixed-gender crew. You know how that crew treats women? LIKE SHIPMATES. They way they should.

Remember any history about black people and the military? Well, guess what? There are no "accommodations" for black people, either...they're just fellow shipmates.

The ONLY accommodation that should be made is to treat people as our fellow shipmates, soldiers, devil-dogs, airmen, or what have you. PERIOD. Anything less, any focus OTHER than this, breaks down unit cohesiveness and is detrimental to "good order and discipline".

Take a look at the creeds of the services. There ain't no mention of men, women, blacks, Asians, homosexuals, religion, or transgenders:

"I am an American Soldier..."
"I am an American Airman..."
"I am a United States Sailor..."
"This is my rifle..." (Marines...gotta be different...)

Response by PO2 Rodrich Hill made Sep 22 at 2022 6:09 AM

2022-09-22T06:09:26-04:00

I’d definitely do my best to let them know that I’m not going to dismiss them because of some sort of prejudice. I’d make sure that they are comfortable reporting issues with me as I know how often those issues arise when you are a minority in the military. I’d be sure to make them understand that when they eventually get sexually harassed and possibly assaulted that they can report to me and I will be willing to fight against a system that would love nothing more than to sweep it under the rug. I’d shield them from all the nonsense I’d shield any other sailor from but I would never pretend that they don’t, or won’t, have issues specific to their situation.

Response by SSG Jack Scott made Oct 30 at 2022 7:01 PM

2022-10-30T19:01:32-04:00

That’s the major issue about Transgender Hysteria it’s about accommodation! The military is about War Fighting and Warriors and not Woke Warriors and Accommodations! You comply to the Military way of life the military doesn’t comply to accommodate you!

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Nov 2 at 2022 4:32 PM

2022-11-02T16:32:28-04:00

In my day, there was no such idiocy.

Response by SrA Charlene Preston made Nov 3 at 2022 9:03 AM

2022-11-03T09:03:50-04:00

Taking into consideration the treatment of someone who’s marginalized doesn’t take much. Showing support by always putting unit cohesion first by assessing the needs of all your individual’s needs, that you see that soldier as no different as any other soldier. A soldier who identifies as trans that trusts you as a leader to be able fo come to you with concerns and communicate their needs to their lead is the best way. Suicide rates, likelihood of sexual assault is increased for both women and people who identify as trans. It’s worth it to take on the individual needs of your troops so that they function as a healthy team.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Nov 3 at 2022 11:24 AM

2022-11-03T11:24:02-04:00

The U.S. Military is not a social experiment.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Nov 3 at 2022 7:16 PM

2022-11-03T19:16:36-04:00

It's a very general question. It's like asking if one would accommodate someone of a different race, religion, or background. We know there are those who are highly motivated & willing to pull their own weight & those demand special treatment b/c of their background. I dealt with similar situations when women took on more roles in the Army. Many were certainly very positive for the job while there was the few who expected the world to serve them. I've been around LGBTQ people most of my life. The issue always comes down to one individual who believes they are too special to follow the rules & do their job. When they get admonished for their behavior, they tend to cry discrimination. If we are going to have transgenders, there needs to be a council that works with the ones who do not comply & hopefully process the non-conformant ones out.

Response by SGT Evan Corsi made Nov 4 at 2022 10:54 AM

2022-11-04T10:54:52-04:00

It looks like you're asking if they need to be treated differently than everyone else. Well, no. That is a personal choice the person makes if they want to do their change while under contract. Meaning they should understand what all the issues will come with it. Does this mean we have to change the regs for these people? No. If we did that then anyone who wants to BS could take advantage over the new regs. Could they be given a profile that states their new change? That could work but then they would be responsible to show and explain to everyone in leadership about it.

In my opinion, if you want to be treated differently then you have to earn it. Do beyond what the tasks of you require. Be better at physical training. Be the best at your MOS. Go to college while in duty. The list goes on and all of them require you to put in the elbow grease to earn that respect of your person.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2022 10:00 PM

2022-11-04T22:00:32-04:00

It took a lot to come out after 20 years of being in especially with all the negativity that I see online and hear where soldiers don't think they are heard.

I never wanted special accommodations. I just wanted to be accepted for who I am as a person and a soldier. Luckily for me, everyone I served with in person has been the utmost professional and accepting of me.

Response by MSgt Bryan Nelson made Nov 5 at 2022 12:52 AM

2022-11-05T00:52:21-04:00

I wouldnt...you are either a man or a woman...what do your chromosones say say you are...XX or XY...that is what you are...NOT what you THINK you are...

Response by SGT Austin Jolly made Nov 6 at 2022 10:18 AM

2022-11-06T10:18:48-05:00

No, I'm not gonna treat you any different because you have identity issues.
You will do your part and pull your weight. I'm not going out of my way to make sure you feel included. Whatever gender your birth certificate says is how I will regard you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2022 2:32 PM

2022-11-07T14:32:51-05:00

There is no guesswork or opinion here. The Army has very specific regulatory guidance regarding transgender Soldiers. Follow it.

Response by SPC James Lane made Nov 19 at 2022 4:28 AM

2022-11-19T04:28:39-05:00

I just feel like the whole point is moot. Since you can no longer be discharged for being a member of the lb qt + group I don't think it's really a big deal. Unless somebody makes it one.

Response by PO1 Todd McMillin made Dec 4 at 2022 11:43 PM

2022-12-04T23:43:46-05:00

As someone who actually served with the first Transgender Officer from the UK MoD; there was not a huge change in the way "THEY needed to be Accommodated" other than "bigoted assholes" to stop being "bigoted assholes". Seriously, the fact everyone is making a big deal about it is just like when we had women in combat roles in the 90s and EVERY CONSERVATIVE FUCKTARD lost their Damn Minds.

Notice it's always the same FUCKTARDS who caused harm during the Clinton Syndicate's Don't Ask Don't Tell Error. Which was unfortunately needed to allow women into combat roles and show that they could do the job regardless of if their genitals were inside or outside. Which again shows how badly our Government needs to purge the idiotic Puritanical Values from society rather than going backwards towards being ignorant and stupid by believing in Fairy Tales and Imaginary Deities; which were just morality tales to keep people in check whose were lead by folks with even sketchier morality.

Guess what? After the first decade 95 to 05; there was a few issues at the beginning and dealing with various forms of Sexual Discrimination, Homophobia and general "Gay Hate". Mostly, because women actually could do better than some of the Old Fat Fuckers Club and make themselves be seen as Better than Just Equals to their Male Counterparts.

So, of course we're just repeating the same BULLSHIT from the last Clinton Error of Government. As when we "accommodated" Women and then LGBQIA folks during the Obama Administration and it mostly turn out to have the same problem. Which is self-denial and self-loathing of Closeted Bigots who themselves are so far in the Closet About their sexual orientation they have to physically or verbally abuse "The Other" to find a way to get rid of their own feelings of disgust and shame.

Honestly, the energy wasted here over this NON-ISSUE; by folks who i's highly likely they are secretly GAY or have a CLOSET FETISH about Transgender People. This energy and time wasted about it would be better spent in writing our Government to do something useful. Things like better quality of living, better pay and general needs for all the people in the Armed Forces. As well as the VETERANS and RETIREES rather than sounding like a bunch of crybabies upset their reality is changing and they don't want it to change.

The same crybabies who whine about bases named after TREASONOUS Confederate Officers being changed to HEROIC INDIVIDUALS including various Minorities who earned the Medal of Honor as the new name for those bases. Rather than bitching about things that are going to happen regardless of opposition. Is it any surprise that the folks with the LOUDEST COMPLAINTS are those who should be dismissed from the Military as unfit to serve because of being unable and unwilling to adapt and overcome the challenges of the future which they fear.

Much like those same folks who had a fucking meltdown over a Black Man in the White House for 8 years. Only to elect a TREASONOUS BIGOTED ASSHOLE; who sold national secrets to our allies and enemies for his own personal gain at the cost of the lives of Military and Intelligence Agents everywhere who protect the USA from actual threats Domestic and Foreign. Seriously, if you can't handle it! Then leave the military and go join the RUSSIAN MILITARY as the TRAITOROUS BIGOTED SCUM you really are!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2022 1:14 PM

2022-12-05T13:14:49-05:00

I think it comes down to the individual Soldier, who they are as a person, and their station in life. I have had two Soldiers in the last few years that transitioned or were transitioning. Both were great Soldiers. There weren’t any accommodations that we made we would not have made for any other Soldier. A medical appointment is a medical appointment. One of our transitioned Soldiers was one of our top NCOs in the organization. The Army made the decision and gave the order, it’s now our job to execute the order.

Response by SPC Paul Gooch made Dec 5 at 2022 11:03 PM

2022-12-05T23:03:33-05:00

I purposely left the military not liking what I was witnessing and what I personally experienced. They should all be separated from us normies to achieve battle readiness and lethality. Many of us have strong morals and Christian beliefs. We do not need distractions from that

Response by CPT Stephen Egbert made Dec 6 at 2022 5:41 PM

2022-12-06T17:41:21-05:00

A man is a man and a woman is a woman. Until that changes, i.e. gender reassignment surgery, you are the sex you were born with and your quarters (the barracks), PT standards, and uniform should be based on that. Esprit de Corps, unit cohesion, or whatever you choose to call it derives from doing difficult things together as a unit, as a team. Everyone does their part and no one gets special treatment.

Response by 1LT Andrew None made Dec 7 at 2022 10:56 AM

2022-12-07T10:56:15-05:00

Be respectful, have self-awareness (recognize that accommodation isnt always afforded), and realize that you have a mission to carry out. Everyone is expected to do their job to the best of their ability and NOT impede on the well-being and capabilities of others. If you are trans, you are in a very small minority and I hate to tell you but sh*t has to drive on. Also, we deal with enough SHARP and EO issues, this cannot turn into another avenue for that to get worse.

Response by PVT Anna Bucci made Dec 7 at 2022 3:16 PM

2022-12-07T15:16:40-05:00

I accidentally voted the wrong one and it won't let me change it for some reason. It should be by sex and gender. And it's not special accomodations to treat people as human beings. These comments whining about special accomodations are just bigoted. We give people glasses as an accomodations, high speed it doesn't make them special. Trans soldiers are just as valid as any other soldier.

Response by SGT Joslyn Abram made Dec 8 at 2022 3:19 AM

2022-12-08T03:19:40-05:00

Military does not make special considerations for no one. Everyone has special quailties that should be used to better the team and unit. If you join the military you follow regulations period. What you want to do-- you do that off duty, it has nothing to do with anyone else. On duty you are a soldier period!! The military is a job you sign up for that has standards just like any other job. If you chose to join you should be willing to follow regulations.

Response by PO1 John Bartosiak made Dec 8 at 2022 9:44 AM

2022-12-08T09:44:32-05:00

I feed it is incompatible with military standards, and the team work required in good order and discipline.

Response by SGT Daniel Sonnier made Dec 8 at 2022 6:18 PM

2022-12-08T18:18:59-05:00

No accommodations you sign a contract to join the service ,you follow the military’s rules period

Response by PO3 Edward Riddle made Dec 8 at 2022 9:13 PM

2022-12-08T21:13:51-05:00

I think they should be sent to mental health because there is definitely something wrong with them. You can't think your way into another sex. You are how GOD made you period

Response by SGT Bert Shearer made Dec 10 at 2022 4:29 PM

2022-12-10T16:29:33-05:00

Quite simply, I don’t think military service is the proper venue to play dress up!

Response by CW3 Charles Morris made Dec 10 at 2022 11:33 PM

2022-12-10T23:33:16-05:00

In 1973, when I enlisted, our Institutional conundrum was women in the US Army. At that time, we had a handful of WACs in my career field. By the time I retired, my MOS was probably 50 percent women soldiers.

Later it was gays and lesbians in the US Army. Funny thing, how many of you served with these soldiers, and maybe didn't even know. I for one embraced Don't Ask, Don't Tell long before it became 'official policy.' It didn't matter, as long as the soldier did his or her duty, that was all that really mattered.

Yes, transgender soldiers are a new challenge for you. But ask yourself, why did then enlist? Was it that same duty, honor, country thing that motivated them? Almost certainly.

Now, I grant you, you may be uncomfortable with someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. I get that, it's understandable.

But these soldiers are your comrades in arms, give them the same respect you'd want and deserve.

Response by SSG Michael Schneider made Dec 11 at 2022 12:47 PM

2022-12-11T12:47:15-05:00

Personally, as a older soldier (74) I believe in the regs that applied when I enlisted in 1965: No Homosexuals, and no accomodations for anyone!

Response by PFC Edgar Mosier made Dec 11 at 2022 12:50 PM

2022-12-11T12:50:10-05:00

The ORIGINAL Oath(s) of Office / Enlistment were, as the American Forefathers intended, as was Service to Country in the Armed Forces: made for "one nation under God" and performed by willing and able-bodied men.
Not meaning misogyny, but rather the protection that the Bible intended. Even with that said, Ruth lead an army very well.
The liberal, politically-correct people that preach follow the "science", refuse to show this Armor of God, St. Michael watched over soldier that natural science where such other genders exists, so that we can follow that science, "correctly".

Response by Sgt Vernon Fulmer made Dec 12 at 2022 6:58 PM

2022-12-12T18:58:10-05:00

It is important for transgender individuals to be treated with the same respect and dignity as any other service member. With that being said, unreasonable accommodations that hinder unit readiness should be reconsidered.

Response by MSG Erinn W. made Dec 16 at 2022 3:18 PM

2022-12-16T15:18:07-05:00

Look up David Reimer and John Money

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Jan 5 at 2023 8:00 PM

2023-01-05T20:00:41-05:00

Does the service member meet the minimum requirements for their sex? (Male or female) thats all that matters. There should be no special "accommodations " for anyone. This isnt about someones feelings, this is about performance. The military should not be about "diversity" its about the best or the best.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2023 5:39 PM

2023-01-20T17:39:59-05:00

It has always been a no ask no tell environment. All members must dress to uniform standards. All members are subject to an U/A test at regular or ramdom intervals. All members are to conduct themselves in a military manner in accordance with AR 600-25.

Response by SPC Clayton Ellzey made Jan 23 at 2023 2:50 PM

2023-01-23T14:50:29-05:00

You don't. Avoid that headache .

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Jan 23 at 2023 5:29 PM

2023-01-23T17:29:39-05:00

I don't get it, so if you go from being a man to a woman, would that person sleep in same room or barracks with females, it's not RIGHT or Fair to the real women who don't know that this individual is a transgender, and the same applies to the opposite

Response by PO2 Rich McGinnis made Jan 23 at 2023 9:18 PM

2023-01-23T21:18:10-05:00

No Worries. None of my Business.

Response by SFC Gerald Gatlin made Jan 25 at 2023 9:04 AM

2023-01-25T09:04:04-05:00

Well the first problem is found within the question. There is no such thing as transgender. The correct term is gender dysphoria. Any person who feels they cannot be happy as they are, needs treatment. It is not isolated to gender. Some people feel that they can only be happy if their left arm is removed, their breast are bigger or smaller, they are taller or shorter, etc. The list is long and can range from simple to complex, as in the case of someone wishing to change their Gentelia. You cannot help them by attempting to accommodate their feeling which are not based in reality. They need professional help which seems to be out of the question in our society. It is a readiness concern or should be.

Response by PO3 Andy Edmonds made Jan 25 at 2023 9:30 PM

2023-01-25T21:30:22-05:00

I can't even believe this is a consideration.

Response by SGT John Prolo made Jan 26 at 2023 2:36 PM

2023-01-26T14:36:23-05:00

I was banned from Twitter for saying the United States Military shouldn’t be used as a Petri dish for the politicians. Mental illness has no place in our Military not now not ever. And for those of you agree with “New Military” should have yourselves examined.

Response by SPC Alexander Rivier made Jan 26 at 2023 3:04 PM

2023-01-26T15:04:21-05:00

There should not be any special consideration give too a transgender person. All military personnel must be treated equally based on their born sexuality

Response by CW3 Brian Litton made Jan 26 at 2023 4:44 PM

2023-01-26T16:44:52-05:00

Simply biology should prevail. Otherwise I’m gonna feel like a 60 year old and my PT test score should be rated on being 60.

Response by CPL Raul Perez Jr made Jan 26 at 2023 11:34 PM

2023-01-26T23:34:54-05:00

That’s crazy! Luckily they don’t go to the Infantry(I can stand to get corrected). Hooah!

Response by TSgt Ken Richter made Jan 27 at 2023 3:42 AM

2023-01-27T03:42:48-05:00

I understand that there are some people who are mentally disabled. That's unfortunate and they deserve compassionate hospitalzation. However I remember there was a bill signed once stating "don't ask, don't tell."
These mentally handicapped men dressed as women might as well be telling. What one chooses to do in their own home is their own business.
However, to brutally force their mental handicap on others is criminal and is grounds for a court martial.
No, military is not about conforming to anyone, especially fruit loops. All who join military volunteered themselves to conform to a certain standard. If you can't hack it, you don't deserve to pass basic training.

Response by PO1 Frank Downs made Jan 27 at 2023 5:13 PM

2023-01-27T17:13:54-05:00

Before any value is put into these studies that claim thousands of Transgender people are serving, one should look at who is funding the study and their political affiliation.
When the military wanted to put women on ships they posted studies and did interviews with the pro’s saying women can do everything a man can do ( if true then why are transgender beating women in sports?) without any changes to physical fitness standards. Once females were placed on ships the complaints of Sexual Assault, harassment and Rapes went through the roof (still happening today) weakening unit readiness.
We must stop the Military from being used as a social experiment and any leader who supports this ideology should be Court Martial or criminally charged.

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Jan 28 at 2023 6:22 AM

2023-01-28T06:22:42-05:00

This is a tough answer for anyone to say. I personally never had to deal with this when I was in and I'm sure most who are in the military will agree. However, if I was presented with this situation, first I would ask how would you like to be greeted and then greet them properly. After introductions to the unit, I would need to sit down with the person and ask for some education. Without getting to personal ask to be educated in this manner and then after that I would ask the platoon to come in and educate them as well. So on and so on so that everyone is educated and hope that with this training we all can do well.

Response by PO1 Janice Ritz made Jan 28 at 2023 9:37 AM

2023-01-28T09:37:04-05:00

A transgendered person is a human being like you or me. There is no reason to make special accommodations if they are treated with the same respect and dignity as you would expect someone to treat you or members of your family. Yes, they should be required to perform the duties they signed up for and they should also be required to properly wear the uniform. However, if they decide to transition while serving, they should first exit the military, and then reenlist as their new identity/sex. Our military budget is high enough without paying for someone's transition expenses. Respect is a two-way street. To earn it, it must be given first. We no longer live in the 1950s (or the 1800s). It's time we all realize that nature has decided to mess with the original plan and screwed with some folks chromosomes. The XXs and XYs are not the only chromosome matches. If you don't understand this, do some research and find out.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jan 30 at 2023 12:08 PM

2023-01-30T12:08:44-05:00

I spent a nearly a year in living in the parking garage at King Fahd International Airport during Desert Storm. The part of the year that was not at KFIA I lived in a GP Medium tent. We didn't have "Male" and "Female" facilities (and we did have female soldiers in my platoon).

Yes, there were homosexual soldiers.

Some of the female soldiers were stronger than some of the male soldiers, many of the males were stronger than all of the female soldiers. Some of the female soldiers were able to perform technical roles that (avionics) that we had no qualified males to perform.

All this to say "The only thing that matters is the ability to do the job."

Response by 1LT Brandon Brackett made Jan 30 at 2023 5:24 PM

2023-01-30T17:24:17-05:00

quit

Response by Sgt Travis Adams made Feb 3 at 2023 1:49 PM

2023-02-03T13:49:45-05:00

There are only two sexes. Biological Male and Female. There is no place for "Trans" in the US Military.

Response by SSG Brian Pyle made Feb 13 at 2023 12:11 PM

2023-02-13T12:11:31-05:00

So much wrong with this question. There are thousands of companies that will accommodate T-Gender individuals. There is absolutely no need to accommodate anyone that raises their right hand and takes the oath. I was a crybaby little B, the first couple weeks I was in, nobody accommodated me, they just whooped my ass until I soldiered the F*** up!! Express yourself however you want to, be who you want to be.... but when shit hits the fan and it's time to soldier, you had better Soldier! If there is any question as to your physical gender, ask the nice people at MEPS during your physical to tell you.... Then follow those standards without ACCOMMODATIONS!!!

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Mar 12 at 2023 3:45 PM

2023-03-12T15:45:50-04:00

I would not acconmodate, they are soldiers and must suck it up if they are not comfortable with sex they are born with. They havechosen their ID, therefore they are treated no differntly.

Response by SPC Alexander Rivier made Mar 12 at 2023 10:24 PM

2023-03-12T22:24:42-04:00

How we were born must take president

Response by SP5 Donna Barr made Mar 21 at 2023 9:03 PM

2023-03-21T21:03:22-04:00

I don't get it. In the 70's we had gay girls in the barracks. Colleges today are coed. I've used plenty of coed bathrooms with guys - everybody minds their manners. Are you looking at people's crotches? Are any uniforms different? We had skirts and high heels in the 70's - if you all wear the same thing now, so what? If you're demanding different things of different people, maybe you need to streamline your regs. Stop worrying about what's in front of somebody's butt and get on with duty. This is teenager stuff. Everybody grow up.

Response by SSG James Knopp made Mar 21 at 2023 10:19 PM

2023-03-21T22:19:01-04:00

I’m “old school” about the armed services.
That being said the world is changing whether we like it or not. As long as a human is willing to fight and die for their country then train them and equip them well and they will have your six. A soldier is a soldier and it doesn’t matter which gender a person is. The services will just have to work out the latrine issues. Maybe have two separate “trans gender” latrines. In addition to a male/ female latrine.
Does the military still call bathrooms “latrines”? I’ve been out a while.
The reason I used the word “human” is because you can’t go around offending someone you don’t really know which gender one assimilates with.

Response by Cpl Brian Escobar made Mar 22 at 2023 3:03 AM

2023-03-22T03:03:10-04:00

damn I'm old..

Response by PO2 Mike Keyes made Mar 22 at 2023 2:27 PM

2023-03-22T14:27:50-04:00

Why would I have to "accommodate" them? You're either a male or a female, pick one (I guess that's how it works these days) and fall in accordingly.

Response by SGT Bryan Boyer made Mar 23 at 2023 12:02 PM

2023-03-23T12:02:59-04:00

I feel very strongly about this subject.
When I was an NCO, I DID NOT!!!! in any way, take into consideration anyone's gender, race, height, boot size or whatever else anyone can come up with when interacting with other Solders. Senior or Subordinate.
I expected EVERYONE, I repeat EVERYONE, to conduct themselves in a military manner at all times while on duty.
I was an ex equal opportunity NCO. As such, I don't think anyone's gender, no matter how they're defining it, should be relevant in how they perform their duties.
During my time, I served with many exceptional Men and Women. I also served with a bunch of worthless dirtbags, also, both Men and Women. Gender, had nothing to do with that!!!! Dirtbags come in all genders, shapes, races and boot sizes.
Unfortunately, so many people now days can't seem to separate themselves from their "sexuality" If it's not me, then I really don't care who you sleep with.

When you put on that uniform, the only pronoun you have is SOLDIER

Response by PV2 Terry Agee made Mar 23 at 2023 12:15 PM

2023-03-23T12:15:10-04:00

I refuse to ponder the insanity. We kill people and blow shit up. There are no alternatives.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2023 9:42 PM

2023-03-23T21:42:43-04:00

yall are so scared of us you go out of your way to make a transgender SM's life a living hell

Response by SFC Mark Wiggins made Mar 25 at 2023 2:01 AM

2023-03-25T02:01:34-04:00

So glad I'm retired

Response by LCpl David Query made Mar 25 at 2023 10:29 PM

2023-03-25T22:29:57-04:00

Whatever sex they were born with is their gender.

Response by SN Kristi Kalis made Mar 25 at 2023 11:18 PM

2023-03-25T23:18:35-04:00

The military already accommodates many members who are too short, too overweight, and not able to pass a PT test. I've seen it firsthand. There are no "accommodations" for anyone who conforms to the military standards set forth. Transgender people have won the highest medals in every service. Those responding against them....have not. A trans man is a man. A trans woman is a woman. Period. These same people who misgender or deadname a person have never served under DADT or similar policies. These same questions have been used against the LGBTQ+ community for decades.

If I can count on the person to my left and the person to my right to fight like hell, that's all that matters.

Response by SPC Justine Blankenbeckler made Mar 26 at 2023 10:17 AM

2023-03-26T10:17:20-04:00

They have Chosen to change their sexual Preference, so I believe the need to accommodate them is by their new serial orientation. There are so many serving now, I am just giving an opinion And I would guess they are doing their job as required.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2023 10:52 AM

2023-03-26T10:52:42-04:00

Why should the military cater to anyone and coddle them throughout their career and time in service??
It’s a fighting force, meant to be more than what someone wants to think or believe or do with their body.
America is playing a pandering game, and every one of our oppositions is laughing hysterically and ready to capitalize on our soil because of questions like this.
Ridiculous.
Train to kill and win, not train to figure out where one needs to pee and poo

Response by CW4 Gregg Brown made Mar 26 at 2023 4:11 PM

2023-03-26T16:11:50-04:00

Glad I am retired and no longer have to face that situation. I do not believe in transgenderism and definitely feel that it has no place in the military. Neither do gays, for that matter. The military is a unique environment and having people on active duty who require (demand?) special treatment is just not a good idea.

Response by SP5 Timothy Cooper made Mar 27 at 2023 11:15 AM

2023-03-27T11:15:52-04:00

Back when there was DADT the UMCJ came in too play but today we have people that think I am special will you are not as 1SG Ruck Up and do your duty. Just keep it out of my face wait you do off duty is on you has long that it does not the harm the military service.

Response by PO3 JamiSue Moore made Mar 28 at 2023 12:03 AM

2023-03-28T00:03:26-04:00

I stood side by side with human beings who stood watch over the entire Atlantic side of ALL THE FIVE BRANCHES.
They signed the same contract that everyone else does in blood and their families sacrificed just like everyone else's did, and they knew what was expected of them when they did it and they wore their uniforms with honor.
They didn't expect special treatment other than being treated with the same common courtesy, decency, and respect everyone they gave everyone else.
Dignity.
Honor.
Valor.
Integrity.
HUMANITY.
Give me an honest Transgender to serve with because it sure is better that standing guard with a rapist.

Response by SPC James Seigars made Mar 31 at 2023 3:38 AM

2023-03-31T03:38:11-04:00

This is what I think the solution is:

Regulations that are meant for women (born OR POST transition) should remain the same, Regs meant for Men (born OR POST transition) or regs for all military members regardless of identity should ALSO remain the same.

Then we get into the facility part of things. THAT is also simple. We have had UNISEX Latrines and showers & even barracks buildings for a very long time. So we keep using the sliding sign on the Latrine door to show us that someone is utilizing it by covering up either the male or female symbol, whichever you don’t identify as.

As far as the shower goes the military already has:

1. Men’s and women’s showers- in which case you simply have post transition soldiers use the shower to which their body now conforms. PRE transition soldiers will either have to use the showers for that gender which they were assigned at birth OR go in when everyone else has finished. Their choice.

2. Or men & women using the same shower at differently times. In which case you either do the same as suggested in 1. Above OR ADD a third set of shower times specifically for Trans soldiers.

Finally we come to Barracks. This is the easiest of all to accommodate. You have men (born or post transition) on certain floors or in certain buildings, women (born or post transition) on another floor or building, AND pre transition soldiers either in a different side of the floor as those already mentioned or in another building from them.

This way everyone gets along, even if they aren’t happy about the arrangements and it is very easy for leadership to tell/know if anyone, regardless of how they identify, is breaking the rules and not following regulations/protocol/good order and judgment.

I know I keep saying Soldiers. It is a habit from being retired Army, but rest assured even though I am saying Soldiers I also mean Sailors, Air people & Marines as well.

Response by SGT Timothy Posemato made Apr 18 at 2023 12:38 AM

2023-04-18T00:38:54-04:00

In my opinion, a soldier is a soldier, man or woman. There are only 2 sexes. If you're born a man you're a man, nothing in science can make you a woman. How can a "transgender" be expected to to make life saving decisions in combat when they can decide if they're a man or a woman. Men can't compete with women, they have different anatomy, can't perform the same physical activities. We didn't have that problem in the 70s due to the fact that men were men and women were women, shouldn't have that problem now. As I said, just my opinion.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2023 11:40 AM

2023-04-21T11:40:11-04:00

They use the bathroom which sex they identify as but above all treat them like everyone else they are people with feelings wants needs and desires just like every other person.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2023 9:57 AM

2023-04-28T09:57:42-04:00

While going through SRP I was wondering how are we supposed to know if a transgender male is biologically female. Technically they should take a pregnancy test and be asked about their pap. But if they don’t give than information to the provider then how do we even know? They could end up pregnant on deployment.

Response by Frank Leverett made Apr 28 at 2023 4:37 PM

2023-04-28T16:37:56-04:00

1 - I am not military or a veteran, just a former LEO and Firefighter.
2 - I worked in Management for many years in a few industries, and I would assume my response would be typical of the industries I have worked in, possibly close to those in the Military.
3 - What you identify as does not excuse disobeying an order, especially in the military. If I had a crew that were all equal in their seniority and position and I passed out jobs, say having the trans employee mop the kitchen before lunch, and I heard "I AM TRANS, YOU WILL GIVE ME ANOTHER JOB, DAMMIT I AM NOT DOING THIS" I would tell them to leave, clock out, and come to see the GM (top level person) tomorrow. They'd be counseled, told they are not above others for any reason, and using their sexuality to say "I get the cushy jobs" is not allowed.

it's very simple, if you want a job, do the job, don't say "no no no, I'm trans, I get to rule" and expect it to work.

All of that said, I'd expect to then be sued for "discrimination" to then hear in court "THEY JUST HATE ME FOR BEING TRANS, THEY DISCRIMINATED" and when everyone's testimony, documents, possibly video or audio, proves them wrong, I'd expect to hear "NOOOOOOOO, ALL OF THAT IS INVALID, YOU MAY NOT RULE AGAINST ME" from the type of person who says "I AM TRANS, I AM YOUR GOD, YOU WILL OBEY ME" just for being trans.

Response by SSG Roland Shelton made May 1 at 2023 11:34 AM

2023-05-01T11:34:18-04:00

The military isn't for everyone. And individual has to be able to adapt and conform with regulations and policies. If a person cannot adhere to army regulations then it's not for them.

Response by TSgt Jeff Tessman made May 1 at 2023 4:15 PM

2023-05-01T16:15:19-04:00

Our country should never tailor its military to the whims of an individual(s)! It is not a social club to belong to, it is a combat ready group that follows set standards and regulations! Every Man and Woman relies on the team effort, which allows them to be a precision fighting unit! They are “ONE” in purpose to serve and protect the United States of America all in God We Trust!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2023 1:06 AM

2023-05-02T01:06:00-04:00

From my experience on the ship, they actually do better than real women. They are able to handle and contribute effectively to onboard operations like refueling at sea, replenishment at sea, damage control, stores onload, and other physically demanding routine tasks that little 120 pound Samantha isnt actively contributing and is honestly more often than not getting in the way at best and at worst a casualty waiting to happen. The only accommodation they get is female prt standards and female berthing which are contentious at best. Maybe its time to go full starship troopers and have gender neutral berthing to eliminate the issue all together.

Response by LCpl Paul Miller made May 3 at 2023 10:23 PM

2023-05-03T22:23:25-04:00

Boot their asses out of the "woke" military along with every other

Response by TSgt Ronnie Gloshen made May 3 at 2023 11:27 PM

2023-05-03T23:27:04-04:00

The majority of problems in the ranks is because some people think they are specials. If they are mentally handicapped then provide accommodation!

Response by LCpl Jose Lugo made May 4 at 2023 1:23 PM

2023-05-04T13:23:53-04:00

What in the hell are we coming to in my beloved USA.

Response by SSG Robert Ricci made May 6 at 2023 5:55 AM

2023-05-06T05:55:21-04:00

I did not intend to vote. I thought it would give me an option of yes or no. And the answer is no all the way around. Don't ask don't tell was one thing. Now you want a bunch of cross-dressing, sexually dysfunctional drag queens showing up in heels for formation? No. We would be laughed at by the entire world. If you think we have already lost a esteem as a country due to our current administration, imagine what would happen if we go one more step towards transgenderism. Gay and lesbian - and I don't know what the difference between the two of those words actually is - is one thing. They suit up and they show up. What I don't know I don't care about. During my experience in the military you pretty much knew who. As long as my partner had my back, male or female I didn't care. But when we're talking about transgenders we're talking about psychologically dysfunctional people according to the American Psychiatric Association. The rate of suicide is high. The rate of regret after transition is just as high. They are psychologically dysfunctional and therefore I cannot trust them to have my back. We can make jokes about showing up in 6-in stilettos that they can use as weapons. But that only jokes about the issue. Give me a partner that's got my six 24/7. For what it's worth, I was a military policeman and my best partner was a female. If you decided you want to play frog landing on the lily pad (our uniform) she'd kick off on you as soon as you budged. That's a partner. That's a soldier.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made May 6 at 2023 6:40 AM

2023-05-06T06:40:50-04:00

Personal Counseling. As Squad Leader, I had the privilege of leading and Supervising 13 + ...see most Supervisors, the normal range ratio is 1:3 to 1:7 Sup:Soldier...That's the leadership challenge. Meeting the Standards. Professional Counseling each individual can be tedious n arduous. As SL delegate team leaders to contribute. Job Performance and Professional Counseling is one thing but Personal Counseling is a whole different mindset. NCOs at Squad level are not expected to be licensed Psychs or Social Workers but with on going training n Professional Development those NCOs would be able to expand their skills in Personal Counseling their Soldiers. I remember in the 70s NCOs had the resources for Personal Counseling but it was the Officers that took that piece of responsibility away from the NCOs... SQL, PltSgt,...Consequently, we NCOs gave Personal Counseling to the Officers because they had the college degrees n the where with all to meet that challenge. College kids that know it all. 45 ty ears later, I don't know where Personal Counseling fits in NCO business as I retired in 1996

Response by SPC Julio R. made May 8 at 2023 12:41 PM

2023-05-08T12:41:01-04:00

Doesn't surprise me the amount of homophobic trash talking here a bunch of you so called soldiers officers and sergeants are closeted homophobic bigots. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean you gotta s*** on people respect the person's privacy but that being said they need to be a soldier and roll with it and whatever comes with it.

Response by SFC Larry Jones made May 22 at 2023 2:00 AM

2023-05-22T02:00:11-04:00

I retired in 1995 and thank God I did. I could not deal with all the ridiculousness current day troops do. If you were born a male, you are a male. Your DNA and your chromosomes will never say otherwise. Same criteria applies if you were born female.

Response by PO1 Jay Goodwin made Jun 8 at 2023 5:55 PM

2023-06-08T17:55:56-04:00

Thank God i retired. Personally, I believe everybody who came under the false pretext that they were heterosexual when it was still not OK are criminals, and you should’ve been punished as such.
Clearly, under the UCMJ, they can’t be practicing homosexual’s. Otherwise, their admission would be guilty of crime under the articles.

Response by 1SG Michael Bonnett made Jun 8 at 2023 7:56 PM

2023-06-08T19:56:01-04:00

After having read the “documentation” I come to the conclusion that politicians wearing uniforms wrote it at the order of other politicians above them whose children will never wear a military uniform because they are courting votes.

There is no right to serve in the US military, much less to get the military to pay for operations and treatments that will make those soldiers unable to deploy to combat anyway.

The US military blocks lots of Americans from service for being too tall, too small, too thin, too fat, for having ever caught a list of things too long to mention here, for mental instability and many other medical conditions and no one has objected over the last 150 years.

We also kick out those who can no longer deploy to combat if they become too big a burden to the nation or the military.

Lately, we kicked out many good soldiers who obey the law on “I will not follow illegal orders” and now I come to this conclusion.

We have a small part of American society whose numbers have been vastly inflated by the politicians. They are courting their votes and this group has a documented attempted suicide rate of 40+ percent in peacetime who now want the military to pay for their transition to the other sex.

That rate for suicide actually goes higher 6 to 8 years after they do their “transitioning”.

That fact is not mentioned much.

I have talked with a few who did the male to female thing and one who went the other way.

The first way results in a continuous open wound that can not be allowed to heal with some other issues and that group could NEVER be deployed to ground combat by an ethical command.

The second group will have ongoing issues that are less bad but it is still bad enough to keep them from a long combat deployment if they are outside a base camp.

General always plans their next war based on the last one and that has always gone badly.

The next war will not be like the last one. It is more likely to have living conditions like WWI. Look at ground combat for the Russian troops in Ukraine. We will not have any advantages in a war with China either.

Does anyone want to be part of the experiment when you put individuals with a 40% suicide rate in peacetime into ground combat while giving them automatic weapons and hand grenades?

Under the current rules it would be moot point anyway. They would need hormone treatment for the rest of their lives and that is one of the groups we already kick out because they cannot deploy to combat.

SO, all this is really about is votes and abusing the military heath system and putting other soldiers at risk while doing it.

I am sure this will flush out a lot politicians in uniform who must prove their loyalty to the Generals so go ahead with the “We support this freckles decision” statements.

A smart soldier will take down those names and try to make sure you do not serve under them if war is near, as it may be soon.

It should get exciting starting from the 12th to the 22nd of this month in Europe…

I wonder if the President and his minions will skip out of town if they find out they poked the bear too hard with their out-and-back missions into the Baltic States and Romania?

220 military aircraft flying toward Russia after the civilian airlines out of the way, nope that’s not dumb at all.

Stay safe out there.

Response by SFC Clifford Brewer made Jun 12 at 2023 7:05 AM

2023-06-12T07:05:50-04:00

Lol

Response by SFC Jack Procell made Jun 12 at 2023 4:16 PM

2023-06-12T16:16:31-04:00

Being old school, an old fashioned blanket party would work real well to accommodate these highly confused individuals, their ilk will only bring ruination to the services and endanger our nations future.

Response by PO2 Stephen Brownell made Jun 12 at 2023 6:20 PM

2023-06-12T18:20:24-04:00

Treat them as you would anybody else in your company or command

Response by PVT James Fedd made Jun 13 at 2023 1:17 PM

2023-06-13T13:17:00-04:00

I would have the same respect for them as I would all my fellow soldiers. Because of they're choices or decisions, have nothing to do with my personal feelings or my beliefs. As a human being I have to respect the fact of who and what they are. A personal or should I say a person's decision is just that personal. Nothing more or less than.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jun 15 at 2023 1:08 PM

2023-06-15T13:08:47-04:00

Warning, I'm from the previous, previous generation. ( I served from 1973 to 2002. My father and uncles fought in WW2, my younger uncles fought in Korea, my brother fought in Vietnam.) Gender dysphoria is a mental illness and anyone with it should not be allowed in the services.

Response by LCpl Ken Fernquist made Jun 15 at 2023 6:55 PM

2023-06-15T18:55:18-04:00

Since when did the military try to accommodate their personnel? Does this accommodation improve combat readiness? Does it improve the morale of the unit? Does it improve unit cohesiveness? If yes, then make accommodations. If not, then the mission of the military is compromised. I have my personal views of the answers to those questions.

Response by CPT Robert Huddleston made Jun 16 at 2023 4:57 PM

2023-06-16T16:57:26-04:00

The U.S. Armed Services is not an accommodative institution. It is a society that is dependent upon Honor, Duty, Integrity and Selfless Service; if your in the military to forward a political agenda then you’re NOT practicing Selfless Service; you are in it for your own promotion…too much of that is going on throughout our nation’s services and society. Deviant Sexual Behavior is wrong and it needs to be addressed as such!

Response by 1SG Daniel Frawley made Jun 17 at 2023 11:22 AM

2023-06-17T11:22:22-04:00

I have been retired almost 18 years, so I am not up to date on DOD regulations and policies. What regulation covers gender identity accommodations? If there isn’t any then report back to your squad leader. MISSION FIRST!

Response by PO3 John Mills made Jun 18 at 2023 2:00 PM

2023-06-18T14:00:38-04:00

When someone joins the military regardless of branch, they surrender themselves to the most regimented scrutiny and lifestyle beyond themselves. Any idea of self is gone. We have units, battalions, bigriades for a reason. We think as one and move as one. There is no such thing as individual ideology. You either conform, or you will be on point forever. No one person worth their weight in salt will risk their lives one someone who doesn't have the capacity to make a concrete decision, and act upon it. Feelings have no place in the military.

Response by CW4 Deanna Paladina made Jun 28 at 2023 12:37 PM

2023-06-28T12:37:29-04:00

The survey results (77%, physical sex only should determine...) ignore the fact that hormone therapy for transgender women includes finasteride and spironolactone, which are testosterone blockers. After gender affirming surgery, trans women have no testosterone in their system at all (cisgender women have a low level of testosterone -- that's how it works, believe it or not), so it is unfair to expect to perform to the standards of men. They are women. Treat them as women.

No one much cares about trans men. They'll be on testosterone replacement therapy, and will bulk up over time and be physically able to meet the physical requirements for men. Everybody loves another male stud in the unit. OTOH, trans women have no testosterone in their system at all. They simply cannot physically compete on an equal footing with cisgender men. Female standards should, and must, apply to trans women.

There simply should be no argument about this. Trans men are men; trans women are women. Treat them as such.

Response by PVT Jeffrey Kleven made Jul 5 at 2023 7:41 PM

2023-07-05T19:41:39-04:00

Response by SPC James Lane made Oct 5 at 2023 2:06 AM

2023-10-05T02:06:23-04:00

I'm curious how you would even know they were transgender.

Response by SMSgt Alan Saunders made Oct 7 at 2023 12:51 AM

2023-10-07T00:51:53-04:00

There is no accommodating in the US Military. Since the end of the Vietnam War, the military has been all volunteer. People (men and women) voluntarily join the branch of their choice, provided they qualify physically (height, weight, fitness, etc.) and mentally (ASVAB, psych eval, etc.). When they join, they agree to conform to the standards and expectations of the branch and unit to which they are assigned. There are no accommodations needed nor should they be accepted. Society (and business) may offer accommodations as needed. Not the military. We cannot fight a war if we have to worry about gender identity or sexual orientation. If that's who you are, don't join.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2023 5:34 PM

2023-10-12T17:34:41-04:00

For those that are saying that the military shouldn't conform to anyone it already has. It shouldn't. We should conform to the military. But now there are too many court rulings that mandate the military or allow those to make the military conform to them. The military is conforming to the political ideas, social ideas, etc we shouldn't be. Our job isn't a social experiment. Our job is to be as lethal as possible in the event of action.

Response by SPC Erik Hansen made Oct 21 at 2023 9:46 AM

2023-10-21T09:46:16-04:00

It is not the job of the military to accept mental illness. Fix yourself then join.

Response by CPT Edward Baker made Nov 4 at 2023 9:23 PM

2023-11-04T21:23:25-04:00

I started my service with Nam vets that did not like the idea of a female soldier. Of course their concerns where right on target as sexual assault cases went through the roof. (at least claims of them did). Now we have a new age of some of the most mentally disturbed people joining the ranks. LGBT have been in the ranks a long time. This brought out don't ask don't tell policies. I saw these policies take out a few but it did not impact the large majority. Most of the Female Soldiers, only ones I knew about, didn't require anyone to call them a HE. In fact they where soldiers and that's what they did. Of course we came through the ranks of the You are not male or female, you are a soldier and your only color is green culture. However, this new age gender stuff hardly even makes any since at all. All I see is the filing of Sexual harassment complaints hitting an all time High.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2023 9:15 AM

2023-12-06T09:15:37-05:00

The physical sex of a person should determine regs and access to facilities.

Response by PO3 Dn King made Dec 24 at 2023 8:21 AM

2023-12-24T08:21:39-05:00

Biologist here. I hope it’s okay to explain a little bit about transgender from the factual standpoint to offset some other replies here that demonstrate a severe and dangerous level of illiteracy.

It shouldn’t be such a surprise that the biology we learned in high school was very basic and left out most details. The X & Y sex determination that some intensely ignorant people are screaming about is only the system mammals use, not any sort of rule. Birds use Z & W. Insects have both of these systems, but they’re obviously very different Xs and Ys than we have. Alligators don’t have sex chromosomes. Fish have multiple and confusing arrangements that include a third variant and several alleles. But these are all systems of sex determination as defined by us, to aid in our understanding. None of it is imposed as some sort of legislation. Every individual instance will be individually unique, within a range of possible outcomes (no human is born with a Z chromosome).

Okay, so now we understand that X & Y is just another way of saying “mammal-like.” Now we need to understand that a chromosome is large polynucleotide, a strand of DNA. Most of what X and Y do is just like the other 31 chromosomes and has diddly to do with sex. But there are several genes here which, in conjunction with genes on other chromosomes, result in masculine and feminine characteristics.

It’s important here to note that DNA isn’t some magical blueprint. It’s only one half of the DNA/RNA protein factory. Proteins are the basis of life. They do almost everything. Protein isn’t “meat.” Proteins are the vast majority of active molecules in the cell, and they’re insanely complex. So complex, that the tiniest mutation in the DNA (the protein recipe book) can, but doesn’t always, completely fuck the whole organism.

So back to X and Y. These are DNA. Everything on the chromosome needs to become a protein. It also needs to be made into the right number of proteins for the right development stage and need of the organism, people. Here is where transgender arises. I feel dirty saying something goes “wrong,” but that’s the scientist in me. Things do indeed go wrong. Things go wrong in all of us. But just like we’re all bad drivers, sometimes the consequences are more, ah, drastic. See, the initial cell created by sperm and egg can become any human cell type, but once it’s, say, a brain cell, it doesn’t ever revert. A brain cell can’t make muscle cells. This means any “mistake,” or mutation in the first brain cell of a developing fetus will be passed to all later brain cells. Mutations occur in every cell division, but fortunately are rare in coding DNA, the bits that matter. But a mutation that will nudge the male/female needle will happen with common frequency.

What does this mean? It means that in a body developing male characteristics, the brain can get switched to female development, and neither the brain nor the body will “correct” the divergence. Long before the first heart beat, the fetus is transgender. A literal female brain stuck in a male body.

As I hope I’ve explained, transgender isn’t some perversion. It’s not a simple “I identify as a fish, a yuk!” mockery. It’s a relatively common and very real genetic condition. Transgender people discuss their options with their doctors and form what is hopefully the best option to find mental health.

Just like the military accommodates myopia, diabetes, hypothyroidism, or cancer, the military can and should accommodate transgender individuals.

“But ew! It’s icky! I read a book that said there’s a sky wizard, and I don’t think the sky wizard would like that!” See, this ignorant shit is the stuff the military should stop making accommodations for.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Dec 24 at 2023 7:20 PM

2023-12-24T19:20:34-05:00

By treating that SOLDIER FAIRLY like the other Soldiers are treated.

Response by SSG Dale London made Feb 28 at 2024 8:35 PM

2024-02-28T20:35:29-05:00

Accommodate? I wouldn't. The army isn't a baby-sitting service or a self-help program. It's an army. I don't ask people about their politics, sexual preferences, or what kind of ice cream they like. I don't care about their gender identity either. If they can do their job and not disrupt the unit, fine. If not - goodbye!

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Mar 3 at 2024 12:33 PM

2024-03-03T12:33:27-05:00

Treat them like anyone else of their gender. Semper Fi

Response by 1SG Frank Peck made Mar 6 at 2024 8:50 AM

2024-03-06T08:50:35-05:00

I don't think I would do anything. A boy bunks with boys, girls bunk with girls. I was convoy commander in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We were always on the road, we all slept together in the tents on missions. Back on the FOB we had our male and female barracks. Bottom line, we were all Soldiers.

Response by PO2 Robert Carrillo made Mar 18 at 2024 2:42 PM

2024-03-18T14:42:03-04:00

It's not the military job to provide sex change your job your only job is to protect the united state of America go to another country to get the government to pay for for your change

Response by PO2 Mike Vignapiano made Mar 29 at 2024 11:14 AM

2024-03-29T11:14:32-04:00

Not my job. Above my paygrade. This is something the higher ups in Washington must decide. If they did NOT fully transition BEFORE joining, they should be assigned according to their genitalia. Also, the military should NOT entertain any requests to assist with their surgeries because, just like any other medical issue, if it existed before enlisting, they must be discharged with an Administrative Discharge and an R-4 code

Response by SSG Bob Robertson made Apr 5 at 2024 7:10 PM

2024-04-05T19:10:35-04:00

I'd tell what would happen back in the 70s, nah I wont tell ya.

Response by SP5 George Smith made Apr 6 at 2024 4:46 PM

2024-04-06T16:46:13-04:00

Humorously, let them enlist for the Special Forces if they want to be treated “special”. Join to do the job.

Response by SCPO Lonny Randolph made Apr 13 at 2024 2:08 PM

2024-04-13T14:08:39-04:00

To put a bit of perspective on this question, less than .01% of the population is fully transitioned to a gender other than the one they were born with. The large majority of "transgenders" are in fact still fully intact sexually. This begs the question then, how committed are these people to their stated transition? More importantly, why should society be in any way burdened with the obligation to support and accommodate these people in any way differently than the rest of the population? Is being confused about your sex a special badge that requires some sort of adulation from the general public? Is mutilating your body (lets not bring up tattoos and piercings here) something we are all supposed to admire and emulate? Why in any world would any sane individual "advocate" these people be in the military in the first place? Why would anyone "advocate" for some sort of special accommodation for these people?

We are talking about the military here, right? I'm talking about citizens who have volunteered to serve the nation in combat, endure months at sea and suffer all manner of loss of privacy and normal dignity. There is no place in combat or in a hot damn engine room for some special needs lesser mortal that needs their own special set of rules. The last thing I want to know is whether or not some "man" in my division is dealing with menstrual cramps today and can't be bothered to pick up a wrench or stand "his" watch in the hole, or some "woman" needs a no shave chit.

Whatever your issue with your body composition may be, it's not something the rest of society needs to be involved with. Keep your gonads and your sexual preferences to yourself, only your partner in the rack needs to be involved.

Response by PFC Bart Smith made Apr 29 at 2024 6:43 PM

2024-04-29T18:43:23-04:00

000