US Army Bans Transgender Enlistment

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

The US Army has officially banned transgender individuals from enlisting in the military. This decision follows an executive order by former President Donald Trump. The Army will also cease providing gender-affirming care for transgender service members. Trump had pledged a crackdown on “woke culture.” Biden administration had overturned this, but it is now back in effect.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

The US Army officially confirmed on Friday that it will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military. This decision comes days after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning their entry into the force. The US Army also announced it would stop providing gender-affirming care for service members, marking a significant policy shift. The ban has sparked outrage among transgender rights advocates.

“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 Army stated in an official post. The announcement followed Trump’s January 27 executive order, asserting that expressing a “gender identity” inconsistent with an individual’s sex cannot meet the rigorous standards required for military service. The order directed the Pentagon to establish a policy for transgender service members within 30 days, according to CBS News.

“Effective immediately, all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused, and all unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for service members are paused,” the US Army further clarified. Gender dysphoria is defined as a feeling of distress resulting from a mismatch between a person’s biological sex and their gender identity.

The US Army also affirmed that individuals with gender dysphoria who have volunteered to serve the country will be treated with dignity and respect. This announcement coincided with Trump’s promise to launch a crackdown on “woke culture,” a key campaign pledge during his re-election bid. “Woke” is a term used by conservatives to denigrate progressive policies and those focused on racial and social justice.

During his first term (2017-2021), Trump initially announced a ban on transgender troops serving in the military. Although the ban wasn’t fully implemented, his administration froze recruitment and allowed serving personnel to remain. Trump argued that the military needed to prioritize “decisive and overwhelming victory” without being burdened by the “tremendous medical costs and disruption” associated with transgender troops. Joe Biden overturned this decision upon taking office in 2021.

The military has approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel, according to Department of Defense data. While transgender rights advocates estimate as many as 15,000 transgender service members, officials suggest the number is in the low thousands. The implementation of this policy is expected to face legal challenges.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

US Army bans transgender individuals from enlisting. Gender-affirming care will be halted. This follows a Trump-era executive order. Biden administration’s reversal is now nullified.

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