Military leaders, it's Friday, so let's do some LPD. Gather around, or whatever it is we're doing now, and let's talk about trans service members in our formations. https://twitter.com/scottjstephens/status/1280851797935079425

First thing I want to emphasize: trans people have a history of serving in the military for hundreds of years. The DoD is the largest employer of trans people in the world, which in 2015 the Palm Research Center estimated at 15,500 [1] (citations at the end of the thread)

This means a trans person is twice as likely as their cis gender counterpart to enlist in the military. There's a lot of us out there, and lot of us who want to serve.

However, this is not a thread to convince you we should serve, but how to deal with those already serving.

Currently, unless they were grandfathered in before 4/12/19, trans people are banned from serving in anything except their preferred gender, without a waiver. [2] This may change, and there are plenty of trans people who are already out, so this is still an important conversation

The reason why the current policy is a ban, is the same reason why DADT was a de facto ban on gay SMs. While you cannot be discharged for your gender identity, you can be discharged for transitioning to that gender identity.

Trans people are probably very unlike the mental picture you have in your head. We look and feel the same as you do, and very often you will have no idea that there's a closeted trans person in your unit until they come out to you.

Before I came out, I once had a conversation with a former squad leader about a transphobic post he had made. He told me that he wouldn't have posted it if he had trans subordinate, but he didn't, so he it didn't matter. You can see the obvious flaw in this logic.

Don't be scared to talk to us. trans people understand the difficulties with getting pronouns and names right. It took me nearly a year to start gendering myself correctly. We don't fly off into a "triggered rage" if you slip up, so don't feel stressed out by mistakes.

Some basic terminology is useful to help you start:
trans women are women assigned male at birth.
trans men are men assigned female at birth.
non-binary people are people that simply shrug off labels of male or female.
Also avoid outdated terms like transsexual or transvestite.

Now, if you need to talk to a trans person about their trans-ness, be upfront about why you need to know. If they're not ready to talk about it, ask if there's resources they recommend you read instead.

It's extremely uncomfortable when a commander asks you about your genitals.

The best way to support us is to ask what we prefer. This will be a back and forth conversation because obviously some situations can be difficult. However, a lot of questions such as "what barracks do I put them in?" are easy: whatever their gender marker (GM) dictates.

A lot of policy revolves around one's GM in DEERS. As far as uniform and fitness standards, trans people, unless you agree on a waiver, must follow the standards set by their GM. So, changing their GM is often a huge goal for a trans SM. Work with them on that process.

Arguments such as "can I just call myself a woman and follow female PT standards?" don't track, because it depends on your GM, not what you call yourself.

Besides, I challenge any man who claims they could pass a female PT test, to also pass female H/W.

After the ban was lifted in 2016, the DoD published an implementation handbook, [3] which still is useful today. It lays out many commander's question and suggested answers. I highly recommend browsing through it, even if you don't yet know of any trans SMs in your formation.

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.

Surgeries (which are not common, btw) may make you non-deployable for up to 3 months. However, as a commander, you have the power to move surgeries to fit training schedules.

Similarly, taking hormones does not make you non deployable. Although CENTCOM does require them to be pills, rather than needles, while in theater iirc.

I can fit two years worth of hormones (and needles/syringes) in a small box, and pharmacies already carry the same hormones.

Missing a dosage is not the end of the world either. As I type this, I'm three weeks off my estrogen, because I just had surgery. It's different for everybody, but there's no serious side effects of accidentally stopping hormones. We don't turn into emotional wrecks.

And all of these medical treatments are rounding dust when it comes to the DoD's healthcare budget. The total cost for the past two years has been $8 million, although this includes all trans-related expenditures, and not just medication/surgeries. [4]

By comparison, the Army is spending $300 million in recruitment bonuses and ads to attract 6,000 more people. [5]
The cost to replace trans SMs would be enormous, and far outweigh the cost to maintain us in the ranks.

Concerning whether trans SMs are a burden to your unit, it's important to remember that as a commander, it's your duty to set the culture of a unit. A gay SM is not a burden to your unit unless they're made out to be one. A trans SM is no different.

Discrimination is likely to happen, and the best thing that you can do to avoid it is to police it up now, before it becomes an issue. Jokes like "I identify as an attack helicopter" cause harm by trivializing what the trans SM is going through, and opens them up to harassment.

I was lucky during my time that I didn't face any discrimination to my face, because it was clear from leadership that I was supported and that harassment towards me would not be tolerated. This can start before any trans SMs are in your unit, because they might be there already.

In closing: you as the commander set the culture of your unit, and you have the discretion to successfully integrate trans SMs into your unit. I'm always very open about answering questions you might have, either here or in DMs.

I also want to tag in @KenMaverick and @SchmidCathrine who are both great active duty NCOs, and who happen to be transgender who can answer questions. Ken, in particular, is a trans man (and a former Drill Sergeant) who can answer from a perspective which Katie and I don't have.

Citations:
[1] https://www.palmcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Report-of-Planning-Commission-on-Transgender-Military-Service_0-2.pdf
[2] https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dtm/DTM%2019-004.PDF?ver=2020-03-17-140438-090
[3] https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/features/2016/0616_policy/DoDTGHandbook_093016.pdf
[4] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/27/exclusive-report-shows-8-million-spent-more-than-1-500-transgender-troops-pentagon-dysphoria/2991706002/
[5] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/12/army-spend-300-million-bonuses-and-ads-get-6000-more-recruits/97757094/