The United States Army has confirmed that transgender individuals will no longer be permitted to enlist, while all gender-affirming medical care for serving personnel will be discontinued. This policy change follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on 27th January, which prohibits transgender recruits from joining the armed forces and mandates the Pentagon to establish new regulations for current transgender service members within 30 days.
A statement released by the Army clarified:
“The US Army will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and will stop performing or facilitating procedures associated with gender transition for service members.”
The decision marks a significant reversal of policies introduced under President Joe Biden’s administration, which had previously allowed transgender individuals to serve openly and access medical care, including hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries.
Changes to recruitment and medical policies
The Army’s confirmation of this new directive means that, with immediate effect:
- Recruitment of individuals with a history of gender dysphoria has been suspended.
- All scheduled and planned gender-affirming medical treatments for service members have been halted.
This follows a memo issued by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on 7th February, which temporarily froze the enlistment of individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria and suspended gender-affirming medical treatments for active-duty troops.
Gender dysphoria, a recognised medical condition, occurs when an individual’s biological sex does not align with their gender identity, often causing psychological distress. Under the previous administration, transgender troops were permitted to access medical treatment, including hormone therapy and gender-confirmation surgeries, through military healthcare provisions.
Despite the ban, the Army has assured that transgender personnel already serving “have volunteered to serve our country and will be treated with dignity and respect.”
Trump’s executive order and the policy shift
The decision to alter military recruitment and healthcare policies follows President Trump’s 27th January executive order. The directive states that permitting individuals to express a gender identity inconsistent with their biological sex conflicts with the military’s operational standards.
According to the order, the military must prioritise “readiness and effectiveness” and should not be required to accommodate policies that impose additional medical and logistical burdens. The move aligns with Trump’s long-standing position on transgender military service, which he first attempted to restrict during his presidency from 2017 to 2021.
In a 2017 statement, Trump argued:
“The military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender service members bring.”
During his first term, Trump’s administration temporarily froze transgender enlistments but allowed those already serving to remain. However, a complete ban was never fully implemented.
When President Biden assumed office in 2021, he overturned Trump’s restrictions, reinstating policies that enabled transgender individuals to serve openly and access medical care within the military. The Biden administration’s approach was widely supported by advocacy groups and senior military officials who emphasised that transgender individuals had served with distinction and should not face discrimination.
Trump’s broader stance on gender identity policies
The decision to prohibit transgender enlistments and halt gender-affirming care is part of Trump’s broader initiative to curb progressive policies in government, education, and the military. As part of his campaign promises, Trump has vowed to eliminate government recognition of gender identities beyond biological sex.
In line with this, he has signed additional executive orders, including:
- A directive stating that federal agencies will only recognise two sexes, male and female.
- A ban on transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
Trump and his allies have described these policies as necessary to prevent what they term the “woke agenda” from influencing government institutions.
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Impact of the ban on service members and the military
According to Department of Defence statistics, the US military comprises approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel. Advocacy groups estimate that around 15,000 transgender individuals are currently serving in the armed forces, though military officials suggest the actual figure may be lower.
The new policy will impact both prospective recruits and those already serving. Service members who have not yet undergone gender-affirming medical treatments may face difficulties in continuing their careers. Military analysts believe this could lead to legal challenges from civil rights organisations, which argue that the policy discriminates against transgender individuals and could negatively impact military recruitment.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have criticised the ban, describing it as an attack on transgender rights and a step backward for inclusivity in the armed forces. They have vowed to challenge the policy in court, arguing that it violates constitutional protections against discrimination.
For now, the US Army’s implementation of these measures signals a significant shift in military policy, with far-reaching consequences for transgender service members and the wider debate on gender identity within the American military.
