Pentagon to implement Trump’s transgender military policy

The Deputy Secretary of Defense released a memorandum Tuesday announcing the implementation of Trump’s policy barring most transgender people from serving in the military.

This announcement comes after a federal court lifted a preliminary injunction that was preventing the ban’s enforcement.

The policy, as outlined in the memo, details the process which transgender persons must go through if they wish to enlist, or to continue serving as their preferred gender identity.

Service members who access in their preferred gender or received a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from, or had such diagnosis confirmed by, a military medical provider before the effective date of this DTM (Directive-type Memorandum) will be allowed to continue serving in the military pursuant to the policies and procedures in effect before the effective date of this DTM.

In addition, the new policy states that unless an individual obtains an exception, they will be “subject to the same standards as all other persons.” This means that for policies such as medical fitness for duty as well as uniform and grooming standards, a transgender person will be subject to the standard associated with their biological sex.

Source: Jurist