Transgender Issues In The Military

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On June 30, 2016, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced that transgender service members will be able to openly serve in the military; they can no longer be denied reenlistment, involuntarily separated or discharged merely for being a transgender. Over the next 12 months, the DoD will implement this new transgender policy in stages, starting off with providing education and training to the force and commanders on DoD procedures and policies on transgender service. Even after the successful implementation of the transgender policy and training given, many commanders may still be faced with issues or concerns regarding this policy in the next ten years. Some of these issues may entail commanders having to address oppositions that transgender service members face and simultaneously, also having to address concerns of other service members in relation with their counterpart transgender service members; some commanders may have difficulty finding a balance to meet the needs of the transgender and other service members in order to maintain discipline and cohesion within the unit. …show more content…

For an example, a Soldier may feel he or she cannot trust his or her male platoon leader who is dressed up as a female or perhaps, the Soldier may just feel uncomfortable being around this platoon leader. In a situation like this, a company commander will need to develop a plan of action or provide team building skills to build trust and confidence within his or her formation but these course of actions may not immediately be effective and can diminish combat

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