A Transgender Veteran’s Response to President Trump’s Military Ban

SSgt Addison R. - I thought I was clear when I said "Now, I'm not saying that all transgendered people are going to be too much of a liability." Or what about when I said "Did I say all of them? No. Did I say it's a proven fact? No" Doesn't that seem to indicate that the statistics don't apply to every single person and that I'm not making a blanket statement against all transgender people?

No doubt that statistics can be twisted. But do you have any to refute the ones about the suicide rate? I looked at several different sites that gave similar numbers. These sites were both pro and against. So I'm guessing they're pretty accurate. But if you have other data, please provide.

And again, I never said transgender people can't serve. I said it's worth looking into. The military is already dealing with too many veteran suicides to actively enlist groups of people with an already high tendency to commit such. It's not being illogical and it's not being mean.

SSgt Addison R. Well that's good to hear and I hope your experience is representative of all trans people (for their sake, regardless of gov't bans etc ). That's just the sort of thing that needs to be worked through. No doubt our country has two diverse sides who are eagerly trying to push different, oftentimes opposite agendas. It can be hard for anyone to separate fact from fiction. And I'm sure each side uses both. Hopefully for the sake of all concerned the right decision is made here.

SSgt Addison R. I agree with you on the surgery part. That has been an issue I've discussed with others. I also agree with treating each person on an individual basis an each case can be completely different. Unfortunately, with the job the military has to do, that isn't always possible.

If I were still in and had a ‘T’ in the contingency .. and am trying to lead 18 other cooks to get meals out and we got possible ‘incoming’. and I got a kid that has just went ‘snowflake’on me and can’t handle the pressure .. I could handle it but it’s taking from my ability to better care of my part of the mission ...