The US Pentagon has issued a memo ordering the separation of transgender service members from the military unless they receive an exemption, effectively banning transgender individuals from joining or serving in the armed forces.
Filed in court on Wednesday, the directive goes further than the restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump during his first administration, with advocates calling the move unprecedented.
Trump signed an executive order last month targeting transgender service members, controversially stating that individuals identifying as a gender different from their biological sex were “not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”
Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced it would prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting and halt all medical procedures associated with gender transition for active troops. The latest memo expands the ban to those currently serving, mandating their discharge unless a waiver is granted.
According to the memo, the Pentagon must create a system within 30 days to identify transgender troops, followed by another 30 days to begin the process of separation.
“It is the policy of the United States Government to establish high standards for service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity,” the memo stated. It argued that transgender individuals with gender dysphoria or related medical histories pose challenges to those standards.
While the exact number of transgender troops remains unclear, the Pentagon clarified that waivers would only be granted under “compelling government interest” that directly supports warfighting capabilities. Applicants would need to demonstrate 36 consecutive months of stability in their gender identity without signs of clinical distress.
The policy has sparked widespread criticism from advocacy groups, who warn it could undermine the rights and careers of transgender service members.
