Politics
How the Military Is Enforcing the Transgender Military Ban Under Hegseth’s Order
transgender military ban
The military branches worked urgently on Friday to finalize details and issue updated guidance for beginning the process of removing transgender personnel from service.
A memo issued late Thursday by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reactivated earlier orders stating that “expressing a false gender identity divergent from an individual’s sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service.”
According to the directive, active duty personnel have until June 6 to come forward and begin voluntary separation. National Guard and Reserve members have until July 7.
Army Major Alivia Stehlik, a physical therapist and former infantry officer, is nearing retirement eligibility but does not want to be discharged for being transgender.
“I still have a job to do,” she said. “My command expects me to show up and be an officer and do my job because I’m the only person at my unit who can do what I do.”
Military officials are working to distribute guidance that will help commanders manage the process, including how to handle complex cases, such as personnel who are deployed, on ships, or require special orders or funding to comply with the timelines.
Overview of the Current Situation
In 2015, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter initiated efforts to lift the ban on transgender service, launching a review that led to the policy change in 2016.
Reinstating the ban has been a longstanding objective for President Donald Trump.
Just six months into his first term, Trump declared that transgender individuals would not be allowed to serve in any capacity, which triggered a two-year effort to develop a working policy amid legal battles.
Eventually, the Pentagon allowed those already serving to remain and continue their treatments if diagnosed with gender dysphoria, but barred new enlistments of individuals undergoing treatment or who had transitioned.
Gender dysphoria refers to the psychological distress caused when someone’s gender identity does not align with their biological sex.
President Joe Biden later revoked the ban, allowing open service once again. However, with Trump back in office, he directed Hegseth to reimpose restrictions.
In late February, the Pentagon ordered the services to identify troops diagnosed with or treated for gender dysphoria by March 26 and begin removing them within 30 days.
Although lawsuits delayed implementation, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the administration could proceed while legal challenges continue.
Estimated Number of Transgender Troops
Among the roughly 2.1 million active, Guard, and Reserve troops, about 1,000 service members have voluntarily identified as transgender since February and will now begin the separation process. Preliminary estimates include around 500 from the Army, several hundred in the Navy, and at least 50 from the Marine Corps.
Officials said many troops self-identified to their commanders and submitted paperwork. That process was paused in late March due to court cases, but the files are now being reviewed again.
Determining the full scope is difficult, as not all individuals have been officially diagnosed or are undergoing treatment.
Defense data indicates that 4,240 service members across all branches have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Between 2015 and 2024, approximately 3,200 received hormone therapy, and around 1,000 underwent gender-affirming surgery.
Previous estimates placed the total number of transgender troops between 9,000 and 12,000, covering a wide range from those not on medication to those who have transitioned.
A 2018 memo from then-Defense Secretary James Mattis reported that 8,980 members had identified as transgender, and 937 had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
Voluntary or Involuntary Separation?
Hegseth’s new guidance outlines two pathways, but specifics remain somewhat unclear.
Those who identify voluntarily may be eligible for separation pay, which could include compensation for unused leave or bonuses.
After June 6, the Defense Department plans to examine medical records to locate service members diagnosed with or treated for gender dysphoria, who will then be involuntarily separated and may not qualify for additional compensation.
The policy allows for limited waivers under specific conditions. For example, transgender individuals may still be considered if they support a critical mission, have not transitioned, and have remained stable in their biological sex for 36 months without significant distress.
Even with a waiver, service members would be recognized only by their biological sex for purposes such as sleeping quarters, restrooms, and formal address.
What Does It Mean Going Forward?
Military leaders have testified that transgender personnel have performed effectively in every branch, including elite units, without impacting readiness or cohesion.
Service members and advocacy groups argue that forced removal weakens operational effectiveness and deprives units of trained personnel.
Major Stehlik, who began her service at West Point in 2004 and transitioned in 2017, said losing her position before reaching the 20-year mark would mean giving up key retirement and healthcare benefits.
Sarah Klimm, a retired transgender Marine with 23 years of service, never served openly due to the prior ban’s timing. Now working as a policy analyst for Minority Veterans of America, Klimm says concerns about unit disruption never materialized.
She warns that removing senior transgender service members undermines readiness. “Senior enlisted and officer ranks require years of investment,” she said. “They can’t be easily replaced.”