Pentagon will pay for gender transition surgery for an active-duty soldier

Tax dollars spent on my education and training: $500k
Tax dollars spent on me while I sit on my butt while stashed because the CinC wants to kick me out: $200k
Tax dollars spent on my transition (meds, blood work, appointments, etc.): $1,500
If they kick me out because they want to avoid $1,500 to $15k, then they will have wasted over $700k.

The military gives free Viagra to men with limp penises, free breast enhancements for spouses with self-esteem issues, free laser eye surgery to people who don't have eye standards for their military community, and so many other minor procedures. However, a total of $15-20k for me to get back to the job that taxpayers have spent $700k and counting to prepare me for is somehow too much...

I see there is a lot of "2 cents worth" being thrown around on this thread. So let me clarify some of the confusion. Elective surgery is just that, elective. Now I can say this, I had PRK done on my eyes and I incurred a one year active duty obligation (ADSO), failure to complete the year would result in repayment of the of the cost prorated over the time I didn't serve. Dependent spouses receiving breastfeeding enhancements is also not true, I had to pay for my spouse to receive that "elective" surgery after her gastric bypass. Breastfeeding reduction can be medically necessary if there are underlying back issues. Elective surgeries should not go away, there should either be a cost share or fee for service at military hospitals..and yes there is, I paid for my spouse's surgery at Eisenhower Army Hospital at Fort Gordon. Sure there is a lot of wasted money; however, why waste more..

Damn predictive text..not "breastfeeding" should just be "breast"

SSG Steven Mangus - Hormones are about $20 a month. Not a big deal.

Disagree. This soldier will be healthier, happier and perform her duties to the highest standards of the NCO corps.

Based on the transgender suicide rate I would have to disagree.

So paying for people to mutilate themselves is more important than border protection? Oh how wonderful that is.

Our government is not the voice of the people, where have you been your whole life? The border wall is not going to stop all the drug smuggling but at least it will slow them down. You say we need other options but have no plan. If the wall is useless why are so many people in Mexico opposed to it? We spend over 50 billion on illegal immigrants a year, why not use that money keeping them out! Transgender surgery is not necessary so it’s a waste of money. If a female wanted bigger breasts do they get free implant surgery? This shit is ridiculous and you know it.