06-06-2015, 10:22 PM
Transgenders in the Air Force
The Air Force announced Thursday that it will offer more protections for its transgender service members against potential discharge.
“Though the Air Force policy regarding involuntary separation of gender dysphoric Airmen has not changed, the elevation of decision authority to the Director, Air Force Review Boards Agency, ensures the ability to consistently apply the existing policy,” Daniel Sitterly, a top Air Force personnel, said in a statement.
The Air Force’s decision echoes an earlier move by the Army in March. That measure made it harder to oust transgender Army service members without review by top officials.
The changes reflect the Pentagon’s gradual push for greater inclusiveness for potential service members across the armed forces.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James expressed openness Thursday to ending any restrictions against transgender soldiers entering the military. “From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve,” James said. “And so I wouldn’t be surprised if this came under review.”
USA Today reported that estimates identify about 15,000 of the military’s 1.3 million active troops as transgender.
It’s unclear how many have been discharged, as the Pentagon does not keep records on that statistic.
Ref: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-r...der-troops
The Air Force announced Thursday that it will offer more protections for its transgender service members against potential discharge.
“Though the Air Force policy regarding involuntary separation of gender dysphoric Airmen has not changed, the elevation of decision authority to the Director, Air Force Review Boards Agency, ensures the ability to consistently apply the existing policy,” Daniel Sitterly, a top Air Force personnel, said in a statement.
The Air Force’s decision echoes an earlier move by the Army in March. That measure made it harder to oust transgender Army service members without review by top officials.
The changes reflect the Pentagon’s gradual push for greater inclusiveness for potential service members across the armed forces.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James expressed openness Thursday to ending any restrictions against transgender soldiers entering the military. “From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve,” James said. “And so I wouldn’t be surprised if this came under review.”
USA Today reported that estimates identify about 15,000 of the military’s 1.3 million active troops as transgender.
It’s unclear how many have been discharged, as the Pentagon does not keep records on that statistic.
Ref: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-r...der-troops