US military asks commanders to snitch on trans troops as DoD looks to accelerate ban enforcement
Washington D.C.: US military commanders will soon be required to identify troops in their units who are transgender or have gender dysphoria and send them for medical evaluations as part of a new effort to remove them from service.
This policy, directed by President Donald Trump, marks a significant reversal from the Biden administration’s more inclusive approach and has drawn comparisons to the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” era.
A senior defense official outlined the policy on Thursday, explaining that commanders must flag service members with gender dysphoria—a condition where a person’s biological sex does not align with their gender identity—and ensure they undergo medical reviews. Those found non-compliant with military standards will be discharged.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced plans to swiftly remove approximately 1,000 openly transgender troops while giving others 30 days to come forward. This followed a Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to enforce its ban. While initial plans included searching medical records for undisclosed cases, officials have now shifted focus to routine health assessments.
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Active-duty personnel have until June 6 to voluntarily disclose their status, while National Guard and Reserve members have until July 7. Those who come forward may receive double the standard separation pay, though critics argue the process is not truly voluntary.
For those who do not self-report, commanders or peers aware of their medical history could initiate the discharge process. A new question about gender dysphoria will be added to annual health assessments, meaning troops could be identified during future medical checks.
Trump previously attempted to ban transgender troops during his first term, while allowing those already serving to remain. President Biden overturned the ban, but the latest policy makes no exceptions for current service members, granting only limited waivers.
As of December 2024, there were 4,240 active-duty troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria, though officials admit the actual number may be higher.
Prior to 1960, there was no explicit policy targeting transgender people, but they were effectively barred from service under broad medical and psychiatric disqualification standards. From 1960 until 2016, formal policies banned transgender individuals from serving.
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In June 2016, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that transgender people could serve openly, ending discharges and denials of reenlistment based on gender identity. This policy shift under the Obama administration marked the first time transgender troops could serve without concealing their identity. Plans were made to allow transgender individuals to enlist starting July 2017, but this was delayed by the first Trump administration.
In July 2017, President Trump announced via Twitter that transgender individuals would no longer be allowed to serve in any capacity, reversing the Obama-era policy. This sparked legal battles, and several court injunctions temporarily blocked the ban, allowing transgender individuals to continue serving and enlisting in early 2018.
However, in March 2018, the Trump administration issued a new policy largely barring transgender troops from transitioning and requiring most to serve in their birth gender, with limited exceptions for those already serving or with waivers.
From 2021 to early 2025, transgender individuals were once more allowed to serve and enlist openly. However, in early 2025, the military paused transgender enlistment and access to gender-affirming surgeries, and a full ban was implemented in February 2025.