The U.S. military has been directed to establish a process for identifying transgender service members for removal within the next 30 days, a move that could rely on self-reporting or reports from colleagues.
A memo issued Thursday instructs Defense Department officials to finalise procedures by March 26 for identifying personnel diagnosed with or receiving treatment for gender dysphoria. Once identified, the military will have one month to initiate their discharge.
The policy stems from an executive directive signed by former President Donald Trump during his initial term, aiming to prohibit transgender individuals from serving in the armed forces. The directive has faced multiple legal challenges since its inception.
According to U.S. officials, preliminary estimates suggest that hundreds of transgender troops may be identified through medical records—representing a small portion of the 2.1 million active-duty personnel. However, the issue has gained renewed urgency under President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who argue that gender dysphoria does not meet the military’s mental and physical fitness standards.
“The medical, surgical, and mental health limitations associated with gender dysphoria are inconsistent with the rigorous requirements of military service,” said Darin Selnick, the undersecretary for personnel, in the newly issued memo. The document asserts that gender is “immutable” and that transitioning is “incompatible” with maintaining the military’s effectiveness.
The policy has sparked significant controversy, with legal advocates arguing it unfairly targets transgender troops. Attorneys representing six transgender service members in an ongoing legal battle against Trump’s directive contend that the policy demonstrates “hostility” and treats them as “unequal and expendable.”
Sarah Warbelow, vice president for legal affairs at the Human Rights Campaign, criticized the move, warning that it pressures transgender personnel to disclose their identities, potentially exposing them to further scrutiny.
“This policy forces service members into an impossible position—either outing themselves or facing potential disciplinary action for not doing so,” Warbelow said. She added that under the new guidelines, service members may also be compelled to misgender transgender colleagues, further complicating their service environment.
Estimates suggest that approximately 600 transgender personnel in the Navy and between 300 to 500 in the Army could be identified through medical records, according to officials.
While the Biden administration had previously reversed the ban, Trump’s renewed push to enforce restrictions on transgender service members signals a significant shift in military policy, raising concerns over its impact on morale, retention, and legal challenges ahead.