The U.S. Department of Defense has initiated the discharge of approximately 1,000 openly transgender service members, following a Supreme Court decision permitting the enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from military service.
Background. On January 27, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14183, titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” which directs the Department of Defense to revise policies to exclude individuals who identify with a gender different from their biological sex from military service. The order cites concerns over unit cohesion, mental and physical readiness, and overall military effectiveness.
The policy mandates that service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria or those who have undergone gender transition are disqualified from military service. It also prohibits the use of pronouns inconsistent with one’s assigned sex and requires the use of facilities corresponding to one’s biological sex.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed the military branches to begin the process of discharging these service members, with active-duty personnel given until June 6 to voluntarily separate and reserve members until July 7. Those who do not self-identify within this period will be subject to involuntary separation, with the Department of Defense reviewing medical records to identify individuals who have not come forward.
Waiver Process. The policy includes a waiver process for transgender service members wishing to continue their service. However, the criteria for obtaining a waiver are stringent, requiring individuals to have never attempted a gender transition and to demonstrate 36 consecutive months of stability in their birth sex. Advocates argue that these requirements effectively exclude all transgender individuals, making the waiver process unattainable.
As of December 2024, the Department of Defense reported 4,240 service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria, though the actual number may be higher. The policy has been met with criticism from advocacy groups and affected individuals, who argue that it undermines military readiness and discriminates against transgender service members. Legal challenges are ongoing, with lawsuits filed asserting that the ban violates constitutional rights.
LeAnne Withrow, a transgender woman and civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard, has filed a complaint with the Army National Guard Bureau’s Equal Opportunity Office, citing discrimination and danger imposed by the policy. Withrow, who began her transition in 2016 and previously served as a National Guard staff sergeant, expresses concern over the long-term impact of such policies, which may irreparably end careers even if later overturned.
