On Thursday the Air Force announced a policy change which will make it more difficult to for transgender troops to be discharged. The AF's new policy is modeled on the one adopted by the Army in March.
In the past airmen diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identified as transgender were generally immediately discharged, based upon decisions made by a doctor or unit commander. The new policy requires review of such decisions by officials at Air Force headquarters.
A psychiatrist or psychologist must support the recommendation for discharge for gender dysphoria. A commander must also determine that the condition interferes with troops' performance of their duty.
Though the Air Force policy regarding involuntary separation of gender dysphoric Airmen has not changed, the elevation of decision authority to the Director, Air Force Review Boards Agency, ensures the ability to consistently apply the existing policy.
--Daniel Sitterly, Air Force personnel official
Air Force Secretary Deborah James had previously expressed that she was open to allowing transgender airmen to serve.
From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve. And so I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't come under review.
--James
The Pentagon is supposedly conducting a review of medical eligibility rules, but mostly dragging its feet.
Several of our closest allies, including Great Britain, Canada, and Israel allow transgender troops to serve.
New York Times published a remarkably well-times editorial Let Transgender Troops Serve Openly.
And there was also a timely article about the only transgender British officer, Captain Hannah Winterbourne, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Asked to comment on the policy change by Air Force Times, Senior Airman Logan Ireland:
I am actually floored at that news. It's certainly been a long time coming, though I don't really know the full parameters of it as I am not a lawyer, but it sounds like it's a really good upswing in the current policy.
Sharing my story, it wasn't about me, it's about the 15,000 transgender troops that cannot serve openly – that are having a very difficult time, like my fiancée, Laila. So I felt like it was my duty to share my story.
--Ireland