How would you accommodate a transgender subordinate in your unit?

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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?