It’s Official, Transgender Recruits Will Be Accepted into the Navy and Marines by 2017

The Pentagon celebrates Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender Pride Month.
(Photo: Public Domain)

August 9, 2016

By Lorra B.

In June the Defense Department ended its ban on transgender service members. New policies for the Navy and Marines are now being implemented including a time-frame as to when transgender troops will have full military acceptance, care for medical transition inclusive.

According to Navy Times, “…the Navy Department is preparing to provide medical and administrative support for transitioning sailors and Marines, train personnel on the particulars of serving in a transgender-inclusive force and, by next summer, accept transgender recruits into boot camp.”

A transgender service member is described as anyone diagnosed by military personnel as medically in need gender transition, according to ALNAV 053/16.

Both the Navy and the Marine applicants who meet all standards related to service will be admitted by July 1, 2017. Forced separation from other service members or being denied re-enlistment because of ‘gender identity’ will be strictly prohibited.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus stated, “The gender identity of an otherwise qualified individual will not bar them from joining the Navy or Marine Corps, from admission to the United States Naval Academy, or from participating in Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps or any other accession program.”

“These policies and procedures are premised on the conclusion that open service by transgender Sailors and Marines, while being subject to the same standards and procedures as other members with regard to their medical fitness for duty, physical fitness, uniform and grooming, deployability, and retention, is consistent with military readiness.”

In the works are training handbooks to provide guidance to all involved, from the commanding officers to the rest of the force.

By November 1, instructions outlining procedures, responsibilities and policy will be released that relate to “personnel matters for transgender troops, including retention and accession standards, in-service transition, and medical coverage.”

It’s a new world. Transgender Sailors and Marines who desire to undergo the medical gender change will be able to begin the process by October 1.

By Lorra B.