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Army Policy on Transgender Military Service

Provided by Headquarters, Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1Friday, June 25, 2021

What is it?

The U.S. Army has released a service-level guidance supporting the 2021 DoD Instruction 1300.28 on transgender military service.

The policy ensures that no person, solely based on his or her gender identity, will be denied accession into the Army; involuntarily separated or discharged from the Army; denied reenlistment or continuation of service; or subjected to adverse action or mistreatment.

The revised Army policy for transgender military service:

  • Permits those who meet appropriate training and readiness standards to access and serve in their self-identified gender.
  • Incorporates several minor additions to better streamline policy, provide more flexibility to military services based on lessons learned in the field, and where necessary, includes additional clarification in terminology.

What are the current and past efforts of the Army?

The 2021 Army transgender policy:

  • Prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or an individual’s identification as transgender
  • Provides a means by which to access into the military in one’s self-identified gender provided all appropriate standards are met
  • Provides a path for those in service for medical treatment, gender transition, and * recognition in one’s self-identified gender
  • Seeks to protect the privacy of all Service members and to treat all Service members with dignity and respect

What continued efforts does the Army have planned?

All applicants for Army service and every Soldier will be always treated with dignity and respect. The Army will continue to sustain force readiness by implementing policy changes that support recruiting, developing, employing, and retaining the best talent unrelated to an individual’s gender identity.

The Army will train the force to remain consistent with regulations that afford all Soldiers equal opportunity in an environment free from harassment and unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Training the force on this new policy will commence in a three-tier model, which will be completed no later than June 2022. By September 2022, Army blocks of instruction will include training and education on persons with gender dysphoria and the related policies.

  • Tier 1: trains Special Staff from the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Medical Corps, Chaplain Corps, and the Inspector General.
  • Tier 2 trains leaders and supervisors.
  • Tier 3: trains Army Units and Soldiers

Why is this important to the Army?

The all-volunteer Army thrives when it is comprised of diverse Soldiers who can meet the high standards for military service in an inclusive military force that strengthens the national security posture.

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Events

June 2021

Medal of Honor Recipient: Col. Ralph Puckett Jr.

June 1- Nov 30: Hurricane Season | Visit U.S. Army Humanitarian Relief

July 2021

July 4: Independence Day | Visit The U.S. Army: America’s First National Institution

Focus Quote for the Day

People are the strength of our Army. Our ability to assess and retain qualified personnel provides a more diverse and stronger Army, while inclusivity creates a more effective force and enhances overall readiness.

— Maj. Gen. Douglas F. Stitt, director, Military Personnel Management, Army G-1