Should the DOD afford Bradley Manning medical treatment for gender reassignment?

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 17:04:53 -0400

Manning was convicted in July 2013 of violations of the Espionage Act and other offenses, after releasing the largest set of classified documents ever leaked to the public. Manning was sentenced in August 2013 to 35 years confinement with the possibility of parole in eight years, and to be dishonorably discharged from the Army. Manning declared himself trans-gender immediately after sentencing. Should the DOD fund his hormone treatment while he is in prison?
I say no way, but would love to hear the communities' opinion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 5:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 17:20:58 -0400

No. She enlisted with her "bait and tackle" intact, the Army should return her to the civilian world the same way. Her gender identification has no bearing, nor is it the responsibility of the Army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 5:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 17:37:22 -0400

Not no, but HELL NO!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 10 at 2014 5:42 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 10 May 2014 17:42:53 -0400

I would call it a Pre-Existing Condition, I am an open minded Liberal, at least I think I am and I don't think the military or government should stand in the way and everybody deserves to feel comfortable in their skin but I don't know that I agree with the Military footing the bill when it sounds that he already had those tendencies when he joined.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 10 at 2014 6:06 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Sat, 10 May 2014 18:06:43 -0400

Absolutely NOT. I have to wonder if his declaration of being trans-gender-ed is just an attempt to be moved from Leavenworth since it's an all male prison. Nothing to back this up.. just something that immediately came to my mind when I first heard the story.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 6:16 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 18:16:01 -0400

Dear MAJ Waldrup,

This is a very good question which is extremely difficult to answer.

We are obligated to ensure the health and welfare of any prisoner.
Does medical condition compromise health enough to justify cost?

I vote no absent evidence of major medical / psychological trauma.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 6:34 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 18:34:04 -0400

NO.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 6:36 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 18:36:34 -0400

He annoys me as I get the feeling we are being mocked.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made May 10 at 2014 7:34 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Sat, 10 May 2014 19:34:51 -0400

No no no
After he gets out let him do it himself before that let him wear a dress

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 10:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 22:14:45 -0400

A very big NOPE!

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made May 10 at 2014 11:13 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 10 May 2014 23:13:10 -0400

No...prisoners shouldn't be given any special treatment.

Although, if I was as small as Manning was and had to spend decades behind bars, I'd MUCH rather spend it in a women's prison.

Response by MAJ Steve Sheridan made May 10 at 2014 11:22 PM

MAJ Steve Sheridan — Sat, 10 May 2014 23:22:22 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 11:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 23:38:23 -0400

Hells to the No! Things like diabeties medication, dialysis, a cast for a broken arm...things that make them able to live we pay for. If Manning wants treatment to change "equipment" then manning had best find a wealthy relative to pay for it. Manning is able to live without hormone threApy but hey I'd pitch in for some counciling so there was a chance for manning to talk to someone but nothing else.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 11:48 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 23:48:27 -0400

Nope! Not at all. That is wen optional treatment. Look at the treatment our own vets that served honorably received. Sheesh, even active duty have to jump through hoops to obtain medical care. Just saying, don't ask don't tell has been repealed, yet transgender troops are still not allowed. Why should this traitor get privileges honorably serving troops aren't even afforded?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 12:39 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 00:39:57 -0400

NO, NO, and DOUBLE HELL NO!!! On a side note, he should not get ANY type of parole.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 12:56 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 00:56:55 -0400

No. That would be just as much as a punishment as his jail sentence.

Response by SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh made May 11 at 2014 2:34 AM

SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh — Sun, 11 May 2014 02:34:32 -0400

Not just no but LoL no

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 11:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 11:16:23 -0400

Sir,

Bradley Manning should be given the opportunity to do the gender change. However, only if the entire procedure is paid from a private source. In this case, the requested treatments are cosmetic and not necessary. Despite the media hype, the DOD should not defray the costs to accommodate a preference.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 10:25 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 22:25:45 -0400

Absolutely NOT!! As long as HIS DNA is XY and not XX he is male regardless of what his brain or psychological state indicate. Additionally, hormone treatment is elective in my view and not required to prevent death so he is responsible for paying for it not the taxpayer. It seems that he suffers from a psychological disorder that requires proper psychological treatment with counseling and possible psychiatric treatment with medications.

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made May 12 at 2014 8:32 AM

LTC Mark Beattie — Mon, 12 May 2014 08:32:27 -0400

Absolutely NOT!! He deserves nothing more than imprisonment and a dishonorable discharge. He can pay for his hormone treatment out of pocket when released, hopefully after serving his full 35 year sentence.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Sep 14 at 2014 3:56 PM

MAJ Ron Peery — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 15:56:12 -0400

Not Bradley Manning, or anyone else. Regardless of social mores these days, this is ELECTIVE surgery, and as such should not be covered by insurance in any way, shape or form. What is it about America these days that we spend so much time trying to coddle the narcissistic elements in our society, and so little honoring those who sacrifice for the rest of us?

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Jun 17 at 2015 1:00 PM

LTC Mark Beattie — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:00:38 -0400

No; not my responsibility as a tax payer to pay for his sex change.

Response by GySgt James Blassingame made Jun 17 at 2015 1:56 PM

GySgt James Blassingame — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:56:47 -0400

I don't think my tax dollars should pay for his or anyone else's gender change operations!!! We have Vets in need of serious medical care, that should take center stage.