Military commanders will be required to identify service members in their units who are transgender or have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and refer them for medical evaluations that could result in their removal from the military, multiple defense officials told the Associated Press on Thursday.
Context
The policy, part of President Donald Trump‘s revived ban on transgender service members, marks a significant shift in enforcement and could lead to forced separations of troops who do not voluntarily come forward.
The process draws comparisons to the early days of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, when commanders or fellow service members would sometimes reveal the identities of gay troops, who were then barred from serving openly in the military.
The rollout follows the Supreme Court‘s recent decision allowing the administration to enforce the ban while ongoing legal challenges proceed. The court’s three liberal justices dissented, arguing the policy should remain on hold. The policy does not grandfather in currently serving transgender troops and offers only limited waivers.
What to Know
A senior defense official, speaking to the AP on the case of anonymity, described the rollout as a “complicated and lengthy” process intended to implement Trump’s directive. Rather than combing through medical records — an approach the Pentagon has now shelved — the new policy will rely on routine annual health assessments that all service members are required to complete.
A new question about gender dysphoria is being added to those medical checks. Troops who don’t self-identify but are known to commanders or others in their unit may be flagged for evaluation.
“Commanders who are aware of service members in their units with gender dysphoria, a history of gender dysphoria, or symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria will direct individualized medical record reviews of such service members to confirm compliance with medical standards,” the guidance states.
Officials emphasized that commanders could expedite evaluations if needed.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said earlier this month that approximately 1,000 service members “will begin the voluntary separation process,” which can take several weeks.
As of December 9, 2024, officials reported that 4,240 troops had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria across the active duty, National Guard, and Reserve, though the real number may be higher. The military currently includes about 2.1 million service members.
Trump first attempted to ban transgender service members during his first term, though those already serving were permitted to stay. President Joe Biden reversed that policy, but Trump reinstated a stricter version upon returning to office.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a vocal critic of the prior inclusion policy, tied the new directive to broader cultural goals. “No More Trans @ DoD,” Hegseth posted on X. In a recent address to a special operations conference, he declared, “No more dudes in dresses. We’re done with that s—.”
What People Are Saying
The senior official told the AP, “It is the duty of the service member and the commander to comply with the new process.” The Defense Department, the official added, “is confident and comfortable with commanders implementing the policy, and it does not believe they would use the process to take retribution against a service member.”
A second official told the AP, “While the department believes it has the authority to review medical records, it would rather go through a more routine health assessment process.”
What’s Next
The policy requires active-duty service members to voluntarily disclose their status by June 6, while those in the National Guard and Reserve have until July 7. Those who come forward voluntarily will be offered enhanced separation benefits — about twice the normal amount of separation pay.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update: 5/15/25, 7:42 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/15/25, 7:52 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
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