The Pentagon announced it was lifting a ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the military Thursday, permitting them to enlist and banning dismissals based on their gender identity.
Senior military leaders had sought more time to develop and implement the new standards, officials told the Associated Press, but the Defense Department moved ahead after a meeting this between Secretary Ash Carter and top brass.
“This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force,” Carter said Thursday. “We’re talking about talented Americans who are serving with distinction or who want the opportunity to serve. We can’t allow barriers unrelated to a person’s qualifications prevent us from recruiting and retaining those who can best accomplish the mission.”
FOX News and the AP have additional details about the announcement:
Carter said the Pentagon will provide guidance, including a new handbook and medical protocol, by October 1.
“At this point, the services will be required to provide medically necessary care and treatment to transgender service members according to the medical protocol and guidance, and may begin changing gender markers in [the Defense Eligibility Enrollment System].”
The move generated pushback from House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, who had been pressing the administration about the readiness issues associated with potentially lifting the ban.
“This is the latest example of the Pentagon and the President prioritizing politics over policy. Our military readiness—and hence, our national security—is dependent on our troops being medically ready and deployable,” Thornberry said in a statement. “The Administration seems unwilling or unable to assure the Congress and the American people that transgender individuals will meet these individual readiness requirements at a time when our Armed Forces are deployed around the world.”
Thornberry, a Republican, added that lawmakers would be looking at legislative options to address concerns about readiness in the coming weeks.
