# Ban on transgenders in military **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 26, 2017, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156 "2017-07-26T13:31:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/1 "2017-07-26T13:31:54Z")
By guess who? [https://www.google.com/amp/www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/Trump-Tweets-Trans-People-Will-Not-Be-Allowed-Into-Military-436723953.html%3Famp=y](https://www.google.com/amp/www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/Trump-Tweets-Trans-People-Will-Not-Be-Allowed-Into-Military-436723953.html%3famp=y) ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/2 "2017-07-26T13:38:29Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > By guess who? > > [Trump: Transgender People Banned From US Military – NBC4 Washington](https://www.google.com/amp/www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/Trump-Tweets-Trans-People-Will-Not-Be-Allowed-Into-Military-436723953.html%3famp=y) It’s difficult to discuss this within the parameters of MPSIMS.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/3 "2017-07-26T13:54:53Z")
All in all, I suspect we may need to reconstitute conscription. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/4 "2017-07-26T14:10:51Z")
I made a GD thread about it. Harmful both to transgender Americans and our national security. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/5 "2017-07-26T14:43:59Z")
Well, considering the best known example is Chelsea Manning. Who should still be in prison. Imho It’s a bit hard to get behind a yay! Let them serve parade. I’m not entirely against it either. But there are concerns with this issue. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/6 "2017-07-26T14:52:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Well, considering the best known example is Chelsea Manning. Who should still be in prison. Imho > > It’s a bit hard to get behind a yay! Let them serve parade. I’m not entirely against it either. But there are concerns with this issue. Kristen Beck, a trans former SEAL, earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. > **[Chris Beck (Navy SEAL)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristin_Beck)** > > Christopher Todd Beck (born June 21, 1966) is a retired United States Navy SEAL who gained public attention in 2013 after coming out as a trans woman, and in 2022, when he announced his detransition. During the time of his transition, he went by the name Kristin Beck. A memoir detailing his experience was published in June 2013, Warrior Princess: A U.S. Navy SEAL's Journey to Coming out Transgender. He served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years. In December 2022, Beck announced that he had de Beck ... This policy does nothing but harm both transgender Americans and our national security. Thousands of skilled servicepeople are going to be forced out by this policy, weakening our military. It wouldn’t even have prevented Manning from serving, since she joined before “coming out” as trans. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/7 "2017-07-26T15:36:29Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Well, considering the best known example is Chelsea Manning. Who should still be in prison. Imho > > It’s a bit hard to get behind a yay! Let them serve parade. I’m not entirely against it either. But there are concerns with this issue. What are your concerns, other than you know one person did a bad thing? ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/8 "2017-07-26T15:42:06Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > What are your concerns, other than you know one person did a bad thing? And how did this bad thing this person did (which is debatable in itself) related to the person being transgender? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/9 "2017-07-26T15:44:12Z")
Obviously the living arrangements. What do you think will happen when C Company is patrolling 40 miles deep in the jungle? There’s one person with a vagina and 50 horny male soldiers? We already get enough sexual harassment incidents in the military. Do we need too add in crimes against Trans people too? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/10 "2017-07-26T15:46:14Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Obviously the living arrangements. > > What do you think will happen when C Company is patrolling 40 miles deep in the jungle? There’s one person with a vagina and 50 horny male soldiers? > > We already get enough sexual harassment incidents in the military. So you’re against women serving as well? All because men are terrible, apparently, and can’t prevent themselves from raping willy-nilly? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/11 "2017-07-26T15:47:48Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > This policy does nothing but harm both transgender Americans and our national security. Thousands of skilled servicepeople are going to be forced out by this policy, weakening our military. How many transgender people are in the military now, or want to be? > [@](#): > > It wouldn’t even have prevented Manning from serving, since she joined before “coming out” as trans. So did Beck. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/12 "2017-07-26T15:49:53Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Obviously the living arrangements. > > What do you think will happen when C Company is patrolling 40 miles deep in the jungle? There’s one person with a vagina and 50 horny male soldiers? > > We already get enough sexual harassment incidents in the military. Do we need too add in crimes against Trans people too? So you are against women in the military too? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/13 "2017-07-26T15:50:47Z")
Yep. It’s a concern. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/14 "2017-07-26T16:05:43Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Yep. > > It’s a concern. But in my view, any concerning elements are outweighed by the benefits. Both for cis women and for the transgender. The israeli Army doesn’t seem to suffer from a reputation of being mired in ineffectiveness, and by all accounts women serve there. Yes? ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/15 "2017-07-26T18:12:07Z")
“All the other kids are doing it” has never struck me as a particularly persuasive argument. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/16 "2017-07-26T18:18:02Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > How many transgender people are in the military now, or want to be? Don’t know exactly, but do we really have to do know exactly how many gay people are in or would like to be in order to conclude that banning them harms our security, or how many black people to conclude that banning or segregating them harms our security? It seems obvious to me that any blanket ban that doesn’t take skills and experience into account would be harmful, even if the harm might be relatively small. Do you disagree? > [@](#): > > So did Beck. > > Regards, > Shodan Yes, but Beck proves that trans people can serve honorably and greatly contribute to our national security. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/17 "2017-07-26T18:50:21Z")
One of the main concerns, as expressed by The Dumbass in Chief, is about the additional costs incurred due to reassignment surgery. Can anyone in the military just request surgery (of any kind) and have that request granted? If so, then that’s what needs to change, not banning willing, capable people. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/18 "2017-07-26T18:52:31Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > One of the main concerns, as expressed by The Dumbass in Chief, is about the additional costs incurred due to reassignment surgery. Can anyone in the military just request surgery (of any kind) and have that request granted? If so, then that’s what needs to change, not banning willing, capable people. Of course, but that is logical and doesn’t pander to the Religious Reich. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/19 "2017-07-26T18:59:11Z")
I think a lot depends on whether they are trans before or after they enlist. If they are trans before enlistment and any physical or medical needs they have don’t interfere with their ability to perform as a soldier, I’d say why not. But if someone wants to become trans while enlisted, the time and expense for reassignment surgery would be a concern because the government owns you and doesn’t expect you will be spending your service obligation in a hospital getting elective surgery. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156/20 "2017-07-26T19:15:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Well, considering the best known example is Chelsea Manning. Who should still be in prison. Imho > > It’s a bit hard to get behind a yay! Let them serve parade. I’m not entirely against it either. But there are concerns with this issue. Here’s a list of [22 serial killers](http://www.ranker.com/list/22-serial-killers-who-served-in-the-military/ranker-crime) who served in the military, 19 of whom are white guys. Are you still able to get behind white guys being in the military? [Here’s another, much longer list.](https://ajaor.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/murderers-who-have-served-in-the-u-s-military-a-database/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-on-transgenders-in-military/792156.md?page=2)