ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Transgender Soldiers Training sessions are underway at U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM), Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland, with supplemental training addressing the civilian workforce. The training, according to Army officials, seeks to educate the force on the policy shift regarding the military service of transgender Soldiers.
Working in concert with Department of Defense policy and guidelines, Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Toolin, Installation Senior Equal Opportunity Advisor and Program Manager, APG, has over the past several weeks conducted transgender training at APG's Mallette Training Facility -- holding discussions and responding to questions associated with Army Directive 2016-35, Army Policy on Military Service of Transgender Soldiers.
Toolin shared with the attendees that throughout DOD, mandatory sessions are being held which intend to provide training on Department of Defense and Army policy allowing open service of transgender Soldiers, as well as provide an overview of roles, responsibilities and associated processes.
A common refrain throughout the training was the call to treat people with dignity and respect. A second point driven home with regards to the training was that for Soldiers, the DEERS marker is the completed product of transitioning. For civilians, the transition process begins the moment that individual comes forward.
"Treating all people with dignity and respect are not just democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny, they are the moral and ethical values that shape our understanding of freedom, inclusivity and equality," said Toolin.
Indeed, the Army has long been a promoter of these fundamental principles. Toward that end, former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on June 30, 2016, announced that "Otherwise qualified Service members can no longer be involuntarily separated, discharged or denied reenlistment or continuation of service just for being transgender."
Additionally, DOD and Army leadership recognize that transgender people already serve in uniform. This policy, they say, serves to meet the Army's responsibility in providing clear and consistent guidance to commanders, core professionals, Soldiers, and Soldiers pursuing officially recognized gender transition.
Training support packages developed by the Army, the transgender training levels have been identified as Tier 1- which includes the Pentagon, Inspector General, medical, EEO, and EO. Tier 2 -- Supervisory positions such as brigade colonels, battalion colonels, sergeant majors, and First Sergeants, and Tier 3, which includes the remainder of the workforce.
Directing the audience's attention to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 -- a federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and religion, Toolin said, "The transgender discussion is a delicate subject for some folks, but we've just got to remember that this is policy, and this is how we're going forward with all our services and federal employees."
Toolin said that Headquarters Department of the Army is taking the transgender training very seriously. "In the summer of 2018, Headquarters Department of the Army will look at all the policies that are currently in effect, and at all the concerns that are coming across the field during training. They will bring all of this information back to the Army Service Central Coordination Cell (SCCC)."
"SCCC serves as a resource for commanders; is comprised of medical, legal, and military personnel experts, and processes requests for Exception to Policy (ETP)," Toolin said. "They will take all of that information and then looking at the future, try and assess how the military services in totality, is going to address those policies, streamline them and make them a better product."
Key to the success of that product is the role the leadership and or commander plays. On their shoulders rests the responsibility for the overall morale, welfare, order and discipline of the unit. Additionally, they must work to foster a climate in which all members of the organization are treated with dignity and respect.
Sharing her thoughts after having attended the mandatory transgender training session, Bonnie K. Darretta, Program Analyst, G3, CECOM said of her experience, "I thought transgender training was very interesting, and brought to the surface what kind of issues transgender people have to deal with. For me, the training was not only enlightening, but it drove home the message of how important it is that we respect one another, and how we should be both sensitive and aware of their issues and concerns."
As the transgender training session came to a close, Toolin said that there are many things that go on within an organization that not everyone is privy to. As a result, one doesn't always know the facts and therefore shouldn't assume anything. "We shouldn't bully or make fun or attempt to demean anyone. We shouldn't participate in rumors," stated Toolin.
"When we do see these kinds of things taking place, or we hear rumors or disparaging remarks being made against someone, we have to intervene. We simply do not tolerate that type of behavior. We have to treat every individual the same way we'd like to be treated."
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