Pentagon lifts ban on transgender service members

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday announced that transgender individuals will be able to “openly serve” in the military, with a policy effective immediately.

“This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force,” Carter said. “We’re talking about talented Americans who are serving with distinction or who want the opportunity to serve. We can’t allow barriers unrelated to a person’s qualifications prevent us from recruiting and retaining those who can best accomplish the mission."

According to the Pentagon policy memo released during of Carter’s announcement, service members are allowed for gender transition while serving in the military.

The new policy “sets standards for medical care and outlines responsibilities for military services and commanders to develop and implement guidance, training and specific policies.”

Carter said that the new initiative will be phased in across all services during a one-year period, noting that American soldiers will no longer be “separated, discharged or denied reenlistment solely on the basis of gender identity.”

The Pentagon will compile and distribute the handbooks, medical protocol and guidance to the commanders for training by Oct. 1.

The policy is expected to be fully implemented by next July.