Military should end transgender ban immediately, former generals say

[unhappycamper]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/09/03/military-should-end-transgender-ban-immediately-former-generals-say/



Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced in May that the military's ban on transgender service should “continually be reviewed,” but stopped short of saying it should be overturned. Three retired generals are now saying the time is now.

Military should end transgender ban immediately, former generals say
Published September 03, 2014

immediately, former generals say
Published September 03, 2014
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Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced in May that the military's ban on transgender service should “continually be reviewed,” but stopped short of saying it should be overturned. Three retired generals are now saying the time is now.

The U.S. military’s ban on transgender servicemembers should be eliminated immediately, according to three retired generals, including the former chief medical officer of the U.S. Army.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced in May that the policy should “continually be reviewed,” but stopped short of saying it should be overturned. Hagel said he “would be open” to rethinking the ban, prompting some advocates to believe that a policy change could be forthcoming. Three retired generals, including Maj. Gen. Gales Pollack, the Army’s former acting surgeon general, now say that ending the ban is “administratively feasible” and will not be overly burdensome or complicated.

“Three months have passed since (Hagel) announced a willingness to review the military’s ban on transgender service, an effort the White House indicated it supports,” the generals said in a statement issued by the Palm Center, a California-based think tank. “Our new report shows that implementation could proceed immediately and will be successful in its execution.”

The study, “Report of the Planning Commission on Transgender Service,” estimates that approximately 15,500 troops currently serving in the military and National Guard are transgender, or less than 1 percent of the 2 million-plus U.S. active duty and reserve troops. Additionally, 18 other nations, including Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom, allow those individuals to serve openly.

[nomorenomore08]

1. Just goes to show that transgender rights are lagging a couple decades or so behind gay rights.