Transgenders No More Allowed in U.S. Military Unless for Waiver
The U.S. military will remove transgender service members unless they receive a waiver, according to a Pentagon memo released on February 26.
The memo surfaced as part of a court filing challenging President Donald Trump’s late January executive order, which aims to bar transgender individuals from serving in the military.
“Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be processed for separation from military service,” the memo states.
However, troops may qualify for a waiver on a case-by-case basis if there is a “compelling government interest” in retaining them for roles that directly support warfighting capabilities. To be eligible, they must prove they have never attempted to transition and demonstrate 36 consecutive months of stability in their sex without significant distress or impairment.
A separate Pentagon memo issued earlier this month also bars transgender individuals from enlisting and halts gender transition treatments for those already in uniform.
“Applicants for military service… who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are disqualified,” the memo states. Additionally, those who have undergone hormone therapy, sex reassignment, or genital reconstruction surgery for gender dysphoria are also ineligible. However, disqualified applicants can seek a waiver if they demonstrate a compelling reason for their enlistment and agree to adhere to all military standards.
The policy marks another shift in the ongoing debate over transgender military service. Under President Barack Obama, the ban on transgender troops was lifted in 2016, allowing them to serve openly. However, Trump’s first administration postponed the acceptance of transgender recruits and later sought to reinstate the ban entirely.
Trump’s restrictions, challenged in multiple courts, ultimately took effect in April 2019 after a ruling by the Supreme Court. When Joe Biden took office in 2021, he reversed the ban, allowing transgender individuals to serve openly once again.
Now, with Trump back in office, his new executive order reinstates restrictions, arguing that “expressing a f
