Transgender Service Members: Serving in Silence

To be quite honest, we knew that gays and lesbians were in the military long before the don't ask don't tell rule applied. If I was still in service I would rather they be upfront and not have to hide who they are. This way I can deal with them a whole lot better knowing then finding out in a way that normally doesn't go well.

Transgenders should never be able to serve in the military.It would give the US Military Veterans a slap in the face.This is not France or Europe where the gay's and others have a voice.This a social issue and the military has no interest in those affairs.We are in the business of protecting our country and the citizens.That's the way I felt when I served and still do to this day!

So you can't draw the line anywhere? That person is so fit you would trust him oh I mean her with your life. I hear they are going to down grade Pedifiles. Saying they are born that way. As well as people who commit murder. It was inevitable they are born that way. So we are downsizing the military but making room for transvestites. don't call them transgender. They can change their clothes, wear a wig and makeup. But they will always be the way they were born.

Transgender is not homosexual so the change in policy does not fix that issue. A premise were missing is serving is that a service not a right. Great hardworking loyal people are kicked out daily for not being able to serve anymore. I hear fair being used, is it fair a person is 1% over body fat or can't run as fast as others gets forced out? No but falls under what's needed for the job. Diabetics, epileptics, AIDS, back and knee problems all can disqualify us from serving, yet a still classified mental issue we want to now say feel free to come in and we will treat you? To compare this with race is disejinous at best. It was 30 years ago we laughed at cpl Klinger on MASH trying to get out with a section 8 because it was a mental illness and the last I heard it still is considered that. I'm not downplaying their patriotism or bravery, however just because rules can change to allow everyone to be able to serve should we allow everyone to serve? Just my thoughts.

Thanx for that, I think??

Pentagon readying plan to lift transgender ban ...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pentagon-readying-plan-to-lift-transgender-ban/ar-AAcVpjE

One major problem with transgendered people serving is if they decide to transition while serving that person would be gone constantly for on appointments and would be non deployable for an extended amount of time if they are allowed in but not allowed to transition it could lead to severe depression and possible suicide so I think it would be a mistake for that reason.

I understand that the scientific/social definition of these things is still in flux, but what is clear is that there is no concrete understanding of why and how at present. Sexual identity is different from this, and it's fairly concrete.
This, on the other hand, usually manifests in tandem with other mental health issues. A friend's son was turned away from the Navy because of a dermatologist-cleared instance of acne, which harbors far fewer considerations as far as fitness for duty.
Who has their gender identity issues all worked out at the average age of enlistment, and should the military be in a position where it has to patiently indulge an enlistee who is sorting their way through all of this?
I say, pointing at Bradley Manning, that this is a resounding "no." People can take off their social engineering hats now and look at this objectively - we need to be able to draw the line between wanting to accept people who may or may not want to transition or whatever the language is, and having that taint someone's fitness for service. This is not ignorance - read the psychiatric research. We're trying to lower suicide rates, and yet the transgendered have a higher than normal suicide rate. Pushing this on the service is ignorance, it's precipitous, it's foolish, and we should be, with regards to our fighting force, not in the business of borrowing trouble.

I don't personally have anything against it, but do believe it causes a logistical nightmare. Where do you billet them? What restrooms/showers do they use? What PT test do they take? I think these are just some of the things the Military needs to figure out before I believe they can allow them to openly serve.

I have served with one of the Army best Soldiers, the reason I say that he is one of the best that I would go in to a fight with him without any doubt. Former Marine, he is a great Soldier and a friend. Meet SGT Ortega:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/transgender-in-the-military-a-pentagon-in-transition-weighs-its-policy/2015/04/09/ee0ca39e-cf0d-11e4-8c54-ffb5ba6f2f69_story.html