Transgender Service Members: Serving in Silence

I got a zipper there too SGM (Join to see). All the cool kids have scars.

damn!!!n I must be one cool kid then !!!!!! scar is my middle name...

yea really, pick your pleasure, the head, spine, chest, belly or even leg. The longest and most fun is the one that goes from above the sternum to the belly and then over to the side to the hip. LOL Lets open this sucker up. LOL oh well, still here. ;)

my longest (and most stitches runs from my knee to my ankle and required about 200 stitches inside and out.

SGM (Join to see) one of the things you talked about brought back memories. My Leading Petty Officer let our surgeon on my first ship talk him into being circumcised. This was scheduled for a period when we would be on a Med Cruise and between ports for at least 4 weeks. Adult Circumcisions are not as easy to recover from as when you are a baby and there can be complications. Needless to say, his was very complicated and led me to believe that I never wanted one myself.

As for transgender surgery, no thanks. My heart goes out to anyone who really needs and gets this surgery. It is much more complicated and recovery is not easy or fast. Both the psychological and physical recovery are long and hard, but worthwhile if the individual truly needs it.

MCPO Treants, yes indeed, not a pleasant thing to have done at any age. Soldiers got 4-6 weeks off (pardon the pun). Some draftees probably thought it would be easy; others had more valid reasons than shirking field duty.

I agree that if they want to serve let them. But as stated NO special treatment, NO paying for thiertreatments such as hormone thearpy, mental appts, or surgeries not needed such as sex reassignment. I dont care what they do in private life as long as it dont affect me.

MSgt Keith Hebert It only turns into years and years because we have to fight that sort of mentality every step of the way and save pennies to pay for our shit out-of-pocket since basically every private insurance ever still incorrectly considers that shit to be "elective" ad opposed to "medically necessary", Sarnt

Boy, this is some what heated here...or could be. I have many tatt's. I'm VERY professional. BUT I would never get a tatt. on my neck. But that's my choice. It's because of MY background and what I did and do for a living. Simply as that. Also my tattoo's are some what placed in area's which are OK and OR my taft.'s are not at all offensive. And yes, they are addicting! LoL! No, I will not put any on my hands either. That to me is just not a good image nor the neck...will the neck is getting more acceptable these days. Anyways, for all "SGT", what the heck does "transvestite porn stars" have anything to do with transgenders? That there tells me you know nothing about the transgender issue. Correct me if I'm wrong please. I'm not here to bash anyone. But you do sound some what not very willing to at least acknowledge to look into the real meaning of what it is? Your totally free to your own feelings of course, but I'm sad that you don't have a grabs on what your talking about. Transvestite's are a totally different thing!!!! And what the hell are you doing watching those sites anyway?

I have never had a tat. The reason simply is that I do not know anything that would look good on the physic of a 20 year old that would look good when I am 64..... I could see a tat of a submarine on my chest, by the time I reach 50 it would be down periscope. That would be a bummer. LOL

I do not personally care for outwardly visible in uniform tats or piercings. That is me and if the instruction says to prohibit that, I will and if the instruction says permit that, I will learn to do that as well.

I personally never could understand why i could not have longer hair and a beard when I was in the service. Then they bring women on Submarines and the length of their hair is not an issue any longer in relation to damage control gear. Still the men must keep different standards. As long as you can get a seal on your face mask why a beard is not permitted evades me also.
They are the rules, I abide with them. I always voice my opinion, that will never change my duties and responsibilities when in a leadership position with others. Which is always in uniform. So, read the instruction as that is what I would do and then follow the instruction as that is what I will do also for myself and for those in my charge. Just seems fair to me and a whole lot easier than trying to figure out how to make others do what I prefer instead of what the instruction calls for in the first place.

If they are deemed to require surgery at entry for military service, then they are not medically qualified. It does come with a medical DSM-V diagnosis of gender dysphoria and it primarily remains in the DSM is to obtain medical insurance money for treatment.

Gender dysphoria is either no longer OR will be hopefully no longer listed in the DSM-V. It's in there for treatment reasons. It has nothing to do with one's mental worth nor status nor if their able to function or not in this world. I think some people use the gender dysphoria as a cop out. It's what's between the ears...it's the brain, not what's between your stupid legs that make you male or female. But some will never listen nor even read up on the subject matter cause (you?) are set in your ways and believe your right and therefore that's law....Your (them) have every right to think whatever you may....as I fought (and you) to do, and say, and write what you please. But some folks here have been pretty cruel and at least do your homework or google the subject matter. Oh wait minute....I just realized something....they can now serve! Gee, that must burn some folks butts here!? So much for that DSM-V......

SrA Rex Brown, No flak from me!!! I thank you for your support to these people/human beings!! I know some and I've known some Vet.'s that are tran.'s and that have killed themselves because they were so ashamed...They are the most strongest human's I've ever met....Not only did they have to grow up in pain as children to live a life as that of someone their not on the outside, but then go through their military career and be so unhappy and to pretend and then do things that is accepted from them like marry and have children etc. Could you just image how they be if allowed to live their lives as their true gender?!! Pretty awesome folks I know for sure! No more pretending, better workers...list goes on...Thanks again for your support and it doesn't mean your "weird" or anything either just in case your worried about that ....I know about peer pressure....Don't mean a thing....

One of the things that is frustrating to me the most on this, we are from a military that has been all over the world, at a moments notice we pick up and we go. that is the life we chose and the job we have accepted as ours also.
Those that will hold a gun, control a plain or a bomb, use other forms of control to defeat an enemy, the ones that take an oath to support and defend. The very people that stand for the rights of others are some very special people in this world and in these times.
All that and the people that are willing to go into a gun fight without a back up simply because they might be afraid of someone looking at their ass. Hell, most of the people I served with tried desperately to get someone to focus on their ass, men and women alike.
Why is it that the so called straight people are the ones that have the trouble not thinking of what kind of equipment the other guy has? Are they so obsessed with homosexuality that they are hiding in the closet themselves.... that would not be the first time. LOL
I as a chief want to know my people, those that I need to count on and rely upon in the event my life is in danger, they will be my lifeline. Strange i can trust a person with my life but, then I am supposed to distrust them and consider them lesser just because of their own personal sexual and mental health issues they are working through Think of that, they are working through their issues, how many others hide and lie of their issues. Domestic abuse, cheating, stealing, drinking and drugs even child pornography. I looked at the list, yep a list of the senior enlisted and officer ranks that were busted this past year for sexual deviancy. Especially sexual assault of a child. Thing is, the LGBT community helps and councils their own to help prevent things such as sexual assault and perversion.
one day people will learn, those that are true members of LGBT have very healthy and normal sexual lives. With people of their own liking to keep themselves happy in life.
The straight people are the ones that are the sexual perverts. At least the LGBT community fought and keeps fighting to come out in the open with relationships they can be proud. I would never tell a heterosexual couple not to celebrate and be happy, I could never look at a couple of another nature and attempt to deprive them the same happiness.
After being married 36 years, I feel the greatest gift one can have to offer or receive is the give of love. Everyone is deserving of that great opportunity in life. Everyone.

Great write up and pretty spot on too! As a former police officer, I don't ever recall arresting "gays" nor ever a transgender person for child molesting or hanging out in a restroom bother a child! But I did arrest "bio-male(s)" for molesting children in bathrooms and other places! And also stopped fights between "straight" guys for accusing the other at looking at his junk etc.! I never or very VERY rarely had problems with the LGBT Community!!!! They had/have their act together and just want to get along and they also do not tolerant sexual bad behavior!! Their the first ones to report one of their own too if they see some crap going on. There has been way to much judgement calling going on and it's sad. People see the SF Gay parade and think that all gays are naked or flamboyant or whatever....and this just isn't true. Those are just having fun and letting go. The Medical Unit I was with once was almost all gay! And I wouldn't have changed it! Those folks were hard working and great to be with! I was actually stress free and happier with that Unit.....When I was with another Unit, there was always fighting and crap. Just my 2 cents.

PO1 John Y. - Good question.

I can't speak for all of them, but I do know that the forces from one of them totally wiped out the OpFor at the NTS at Fort Irwin using equipment which was two generations older than the equipment which the US Army used. There was also a couple of incidents during EX GREAT BEARS where the US Army lost so heavily and quickly that they had to restart the exercises.

I have no doubts whatsoever that the US Army is probably the world's best army at fighting a large scale, conventional war over moderate terrain and in a (reasonably) temperate climate. - I'm not so sure that it is ever going to get a chance to do so.

First of all, I had to re-read your post twice MSG., I just wanted to make sure I understood what you were saying. In some ways you were a little wishy washy...With all do respect MSG, I am a little offended by two words you used and those were "thrust" and "cancer". First of all, these folks are not thrusting themselves on anyone and secondly "they" are not a form of cancer...I know what you meant by using the word, but you had them in mind. Also this is not a social experiment either. I had worked side by side with transgender SWAT team members and I hadn't a clue! I didn't give a rats ass then and I don't now. We (guys) didn't have any problems in the locker room either! In another words....get over it and do some research and stop being hateful. Also the Police Dept. barley paid all that much for their treatment(s). As a matter of fact they were less $$$ then those who were claiming stress related illnesses and heart and knees and back surgeries!!! Those guys cost the City ten times more then the guys and gals who their only thing was that they were born (brain proves it by the way, research shows it) they are in the wrong body....big whoop. So they corrected it. They are now a much happier and much more productive and even likable person. Some are Capt.'s, LT.'s etc. and very stable. I'm just getting tired of hearing the bum wrap they are getting when people don't even know who they really are. And you (not you per say), but make all these judgement calls and they don't have a clue on the medical background. By the way the "mental" book is also being changed as well. The minute people see the word "mental" then they jump to "ah ha...told you these guys are crazy!" When that's so far from the truth. I see mental disorder in everyone. Bottom line, all I care about is can that Soldier do their damn job and do it well. I also believe in helping a Soldier if one is showing some trouble...where as I read you would just kick 'em out right off the bat...Well, "just as quickly"....I hope that I better NCO. Again, with all do respect.

From the wake of the great war, the US Military has been at the forefront of progressive change, generations ahead of society. This is nothing new.

See, here's the funny part, Sarn't Major... when I came out to my first line, my section and platoon sergeants, and my unit's command team, and actually received respect and understanding in return, that actually further motivated me to have those people's backs even more than I already did. It's almost like respect begets respect...

I'm sorry you feel that our military should be a social experiment and that you casually dismiss what impact that it has as a recruiting tool for radical Islamic fundamentalists, who are at war with us.

Tell me are these people going to walk around with tags on their uniforms stating their Transgender, could you pick one out in a crowd. I don't think you could unless they told you, so we don't need to advertise that they are in the service.

Additionally, if we are truly to stop recruiting tools for radical Islam fundamentalists, transgender service members are not the key issue. I would think drone strikes, midnight raids, occupation of their land all come long before the sexual identity of a very small percentage of the service members.

Thank you my friend CPO William E. Mahoney for posting a reasonable response. I try to treat each person with respect
FYI MSG Michael Caldwell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSLSFC Derrick Harris CPT Pedro Meza Lt Col John (Jack) ChristensenSSG Ed Mikus PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Diane R. CPT Alan W. A1C Ian Williams SSG Jacey R.LTC (Join to see) PO2 Marco Monsalve SGT (Join to see) SSG(P) (Join to see)

SMSgt Alan Saunders - Actually, that's completely wrong. It's had the word disorder removed because it's no longer considered a disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's (APA's) Fact Sheet on Gender Dysphoria states specifically "It is important to note that gender nonconformity is not in itself a mental disorder."

And, "gender identity confusion" is a made up diagnosis -- its not an APA diagnosis and never has been. It's a term some socially conservative religious organizations use to create the illusion that trans people aren't sure of their gender.

As a trans person, I can tell you I'm not confused about my gender. If anyone's confused, it's folk like you who assume, and call, trans folk like me confused.

By the way, Sgt. Saunders, have you ever spent time with a trans person? You know, to find out if even one of us has any humanity within them?

SSgt (Join to see) okay, Sarn't. Then Tricare shouldn't pay for dick pills, boob jobs, or anything else that relates to your body not working/looking the way you feel it should that it currently covers

SGT (Join to see) Aldo worth noting that the higher statistics are primarily among pre-transition individuals, and that number drastically decreases and falls in line with those of the general population once HRT is started and given some time to start taking effect, Sarn't

SMSgt Alan Saunders Wishing to be recognized as who you are and not who you're incorrectly forced to be, despite a physiological difference, tends to happen when WPATH standards require you to openly live as yourself for an extended period of time, pursue all legal proceedings, and get multiple permissions slips from multiple providers before being granted the privilege of having the correct physiology, yes. It's more than a little dishonest to gatekeep the ever living fuck out of appropriate solutions, and then use said gatekeeping as a justification for the same gatekeeping, don'tcha think, Sarn't?

SrA Rex Brown, inflammatory comment towards 1SG David Niles. You can disagree without the character attacks. Seek mental help?? Really?

I'm not concerned with the organizational culture issues (the Army has adapted and will continue to adapt when the nation tells us too...every other branch as well), but I am concerned with the costs involved with the treatment of transgender servicemembers. Hormone replacement therapy, sexual reassignment surgery and psychological care won't be cheap. This is the same reason that we don't enlist/commission people with asthma, diabetes or heart conditions.

I guess the surgery and treatment along would probably take up all their enlistment time, but I'm more concern about our service members in danger over in the Middle East. And we should be more concern about North Korea and homegrown terrorist on our homeland as well, I care less about a man wanting to be a woman or a woman wanting to be a man. God is the ultimate judge on mankind issues not me, but those in need or loss I will pray for them.

SSGT Biscoe......life is tough for everybody no matter what's a person gender, I wish you well and keep in mind you must move forward.

Everything we transgender have to go through to obtain our goal is medically necessary. It is not elective. i dont choose to go through these things because because i want to, i choose it because i cant funtion without them. I nearly committed suicide several times. once i started my hormone treatments most of those feelings went away.

LCDR K.Black, I smile only because with respect....you don't have a clue what the Military/tax payers pay for....Having served in the Medical Corp, I can tell you that "bio-men" and women got a lot more "stuff" then you realize! Transgender folks surgeries are no more costly then some other members surgeries! What about all the back/spinal and knee surgeries and wrists surgeries I've seen? And a lot of these are repeated and life long...And oh, let's not not forget PT too...and the pain med.'s and oh gee, I sure hope these Soldiers don't get hooked on these med.'s either...and if they do....crap that's another issue and expense and treatment program. The transgender Soldier goes in has their surgeries and then on their hormone and wham-o that's it.....Oh, the female to male will have to have PT for one part of the body IF they use this part as a harvest....otherwise not. Male to female, it's normally one surgery with PT on their own for approx. 8 months. But it's nothing like a lot of folks are making it out to be. Yes, the surgery is a week stay in the hospital and yes there is some time off...but that's with light duty...like a pregnant female would get! Like a male Solider would get after a knee surgery or whatever! Let's be fair here and or at least read up on it before you make unfair comments.

Respectfully, sir, this is more of a "hardware vs software" issue. If your graphics card dies, you won't solve the issue by updating your drivers... you have to replace the graphics card to fix your computer. Fix the computer, and it runs more efficiently and effectively than it did with the broken graphics card.

In this case, HRT and (in most cases) GCS is a medically necessary step to fixing the fact that nature fucked up and put a dude in a chick's body, or vice-versa. Provide access to all the necessary treatments, and the SM operates more efficiently and effective than when they were expending a fucktonne of extra mental energy dealing with the fact that the hardware and the software don't match. It's quite literally a win for both the individual SM and the force at large

FYI My friend LCDR Kevin Black in case you did not see [~1771361:pfc-Angela Van Horn's comment

Do we "embrace" pedophiles? (sickos, mentally disturbed) Why is it that we prescribe treatment for other disorders, but when it comes to this one the society is being forced to "just accept it"? This is no surprise that this kid took his own life- they have an abundance of issues, being confused about whether they are a man or woman merely scratches the surface. With all this "acceptance" of LBGT in the past 7 years, why is it that they are so much more likely to kill themselves? http://www.thetrevorproject.org/pages/facts-about-suicide

I do "accept it"....I accept that they are mentally deficient and need serious help. That's what I accept.

Sorry Capt. that you feel "They aren't right". You have a long way to go as far as learning more about this subject matter with all do respect. Granted, there are a few who have some deep seeded issues on what is going on in their personal lives and "some" of it is their gender issue. But to say that they aren't "right" and to say that that is what they can't serve or handle life etc. is truly unfair. I happen to know some transgender folks who are both police officers and in the military or are now retired and I would serve and die right along side them in a heart beat. They are more sound and stable then half the "genetic" born men and women that I have taken orders from...trust me! I just only wish people would please do their homework before making fast judgement calls and or read one or two articles and base their facts on that. Sir, I know for a fact that a transgender person has sat next to you and you never knew it.

As someone who personally knew Jess Shipps, I can say that you are quite wrong. I think of her daily, and wish that she had sought help rather than taking her own life. However, her reason for committing suicide was because the majority of people who she encountered saw her as a man and treated her like shit because she was transgender. She felt that no matter what she did, she would never be accepted. If transgender people are allowed to serve with protections from discrimination, this will not happen again. Veterans already commit suicide at a higher rate than the general population. Why make it worse for transgender vets, who have always been around and aren't going away, by persisting in treating them like shit?

Her?