Washington (AP) – Members of Transgender Services face a deadline for leaving the military. Hundreds are taking financial bonuses to exit voluntarily, while others choose to remain and fight.
For many, it’s a heart-wrenching choice to abandon careers they cherish and depart from units they’ve resided in for years. They express frustration at being ousted by the Trump administration’s new ban on transgender personnel.
Active members were informed until Friday to self-identify and begin leaving. The military would voluntarily retain National Guard and reserves until July 7, after which mandatory separations commence.
This Friday deadline coincides with Pride Month, while the Trump administration targets diversity and inclusive efforts, claiming to eradicate “love” from the military and restore a focus on “warrior spirit.”
“They’re exhausted by the uncertainty. They just want to move on,” shared a trans service member contemplating retirement. “It’s tiring.”
For others, it’s a rallying cry.
“I choose to stay and fight,” declared an Air Force noncommissioned officer. “My service is based on merit, and I’ve earned it.”
Many interviewed, largely anonymously due to fear of retaliation, expressed frustration at being compelled to make such a critical decision. Personal circumstances, including financial incentives, weigh significantly in their choices.
“I’m deeply disappointed,” stated a transgender Marine. “I’ve excelled, maintained a clean record, and I am top-rated in all fitness assessments.”
Some transgender service members base their decisions on finances
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated these actions result from President Donald Trump’s directive. The Pentagon aims to “move beyond nostalgia and weakness,” asserting “the individual in the dress is no longer relevant.”
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a veteran, along with 22 other Democrats, addressed their concerns to Hegseth.
So far, over 1,000 service members have voluntarily identified as transgender and will begin exiting, based on Department of Defense estimates. Officials acknowledge around 4,240 active transgender service members, though numbers remain unclear.
Financial factors play a crucial role in many of these decisions.
Those departing voluntarily typically do not face repayment of bonuses or tuition debts. In contrast, those who choose not to leave could be required to repay substantial bonuses up to $50,000.
This led to a pivotal moment for Roni Ferrell, an Army specialist at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington.
At 28, living on base with his wife and two children, Ferrell intended to remain in the Army for at least another decade but felt “pinned down” to sign a voluntary separation agreement.
“My commander basically indicated that was my only way to ensure my children are taken care of,” Ferrell recounted.
A Marine with over 25 years of service had initially aimed to fight the ban but shifted her decision after legal advice suggested an involuntary separation would mark her record with a designation of leaving “in the interest of national security.”
This label might jeopardize future job eligibility and security clearances for involuntarily separated service members.
In a statement last Friday, defense officials clarified that the code is “not meant” to trigger clearance revocation, and discomfort related to one’s gender identity is not a security reporting requirement per the National Intelligence Director’s insights. This individual spoke anonymously about internal discussions.
Cynthia Chen Wynn Weaver, senior director of human rights litigation, emphasized that the military must engage with active judges to comprehend the varying procedures in effect.
Other transgender members opt to remain despite the ban
Air Force and Army National Guard transgender personnel expressed intentions to stay and fight, believing lawsuits against the ban may alter the policy.
Service members currently part of the legal actions may find their status threatened by voluntary departures; for others, it’s a commitment to their careers.
“I’ve truly embraced the military culture, and it has embraced me,” asserted an Air Force member. “It’s not about financial incentives; this is a career I love.”
Another guard member echoed this sentiment, stating, “Serving is significant to me. I’m actually skilled at it and well-trained, so I want to continue.”
Those without repayment obligations, longer-tenured members, or individuals who don’t have substantial separation bonuses may opt to wait and see how circumstances unfold.
The National Guard confronts specific challenges
National Guard members participating in monthly drills or two weeks of annual drills in June are required to serve as their gender assigned at birth.
This means adhering to uniform regulations and hairstyle expectations, utilizing designated bathrooms, and adhering to gendered titles, whether “sir” or “ma’am.”
For many, this can be immensely challenging, leading to uncomfortable situations.
“If they arrive for training this weekend, they must use the women’s facilities and wear women’s uniforms,” recounted one individual who transitioned to male roughly five years ago, explaining that squad members recognize him as a man. “I don’t resemble a woman, nor do I identify as one. What I communicate to the soldiers would upset good order and discipline.”
It remains uncertain if all guard units handle these situations uniformly; it may depend on state regulations or command discretion. Some have permitted military postponements or administrative leaves.
What lies ahead for transgender service members?
A service member interviewed by The Associated Press expressed uncertainty regarding what would happen once the voluntary deadline terminates.
The unit commander anticipates beginning the process of identifying personnel for involuntary separations soon. Others describe the process as unclear, involving a medical review board which may take several months.
The Secretary of Defense assured on Friday that the Pentagon intends to “treat service members with dignity and respect.”
Under Hegseth’s command, military leadership has been instructed to identify troops experiencing gender discomfort—when biological sex clashes with gender identity—and mandate medical assessments to facilitate removal from service, according to defense officials. This directive relies on annual health assessments, thus, it may take months to schedule an evaluation.
“My primary concern is that this administration seems intent on reshaping the military based on merit, asserting that gender or race should not influence employment considerations,” noted an Air Force service member. “If that’s true, I’m being removed solely due to my gender, disregarding my merits.”
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Contributions to this report were made by Atlanta Associated Press Writer RJ Rico.
Source: apnews.com