Military members with gender dysphoria to be processed for separation: DOD

• The Department of Defense confirmed that military members diagnosed with gender dysphoria will soon be processed for separation. A memo dated Feb. 26 outlines the policy, stating that gender dysphoria conflicts with military standards.
• Service members with gender dysphoria can apply for a waiver or voluntarily separate, with eligible pay.
• The policy aligns with President Trump’s executive order recognizing only two sexes, though the order is facing legal challenges.

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The Department of Defense confirmed that military members diagnosed with gender dysphoria will soon be processed for separation.

An internal memo from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, dated Feb. 26, states:

“It is the policy of the United States government to establish high standards for service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity. This policy is inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria or who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria.”

What is gender dysphoria and how many service members are affected?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, gender dysphoria occurs when someone becomes psychologically distressed from an incongruence between their sex assigned at birth and their gender identity.

A senior defense official told CNN on Thursday, Feb. 27, that 4,240 service members across active duty, reserves and the National Guard have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

The memo also states the Department of Defense (DOD) recognizes only two sexes: male and female, and pronouns must reflect a service member’s sex assigned at birth.

What options are available to affected service members?

The DOD said that members affected by this new policy can apply for a waiver on a case-by-case basis. Members with gender dysphoria may also choose to separate from service voluntarily. If they do so, they will be eligible for voluntary separation pay. Those who choose the involuntary route will be eligible for lesser separation pay.

According to the new policy, federal funds will not be used to cover unscheduled, scheduled or planned medical procedures for sex reassignment surgery, genital reconstruction for gender dysphoria, or newly started cross-sex hormone therapy.

This new Department of Defense guidance follows President Donald Trump’s executive order stating that the federal government only recognizes two sexes: male and female.

What happens next?

Currently, the executive order is facing legal challenges, with a judge scheduled to hold another hearing in the case in March 2025.

In response to the new directive, the Human Rights Campaign issued a statement:

“A dishonorable action from a dishonorable administration. This attack on those who have dedicated themselves to serving our country is not only morally reprehensible but fundamentally un-American. Forcing out thousands of transgender servicemembers, who have met every qualification to serve, does not enhance military excellence or make our country safer. Instead, the United States will be losing highly trained professionals who serve in roles critical to our national security.”