Key Takeaways:

• The Pentagon has issued directives to remove transgender service members unless they obtain waivers within 30 days.
• Waivers for continued service require a compelling government interest and substantial proof of stability in gender identity.
• This policy continues a longstanding debate over transgender rights in the military amidst shifting political landscapes.

The United States military is set to remove transgender troops within 30 days unless they obtain waivers on a case-by-case basis, according to a memo released by the Pentagon. This directive follows an executive order from former President Donald Trump aimed at barring transgender individuals from serving in the military. The memo states that "Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be processed for separation from military service" Source: Channel News Asia.

To qualify for a waiver, troops must prove they have never attempted to transition and show “36 consecutive months of stability” in their biological sex without significant distress in social, occupational, or other important areas Source: CBS News. Furthermore, waivers are contingent upon a “compelling government interest” that directly supports military readiness and warfighting capabilities, reflecting the Trump administration’s focus on military effectiveness.

Transgender service policies in the U.S. have been inconsistent, fluctuating with changes in administration. The military initially lifted its ban on transgender personnel in 2016 under President Barack Obama, which allowed transgender troops to serve openly. However, this was halted under Trump’s first administration, which postponed the implementation of new recruits and ultimately reversed these policies in April 2019 following a series of legal challenges that reached the nation’s highest court Source: India Times.

In 2021, President Joe Biden moved to reinstate the rights of transgender individuals to serve and advocated for inclusive practices, stating that all Americans qualified to serve should be allowed to do so. However, after Trump's return to office, an executive order was issued that again sought to define service eligibility based on biological gender rather than self-identified gender. This ongoing debate over transgender rights reflects broader polarizations in U.S. politics surrounding gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues, with various states enacting conflicting local policies on medical and educational grounds.