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Plan paves way for transgender people to serve openly in the US military Plan paves way for transgender people to serve openly in the US military
(34 minutes later)
Defense secretary Ash Carter on Monday paved the way for transgender people to serve openly in the US military. The defense secretary, Ash Carter, on Monday paved the way for transgender people to serve openly in the US military.
In a statement, Carter announced an attempt to “deal with” the issue, “on the presumption that transgender persons can serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness and readiness”.In a statement, Carter announced an attempt to “deal with” the issue, “on the presumption that transgender persons can serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness and readiness”.
Announcing a working group to spend six months examining “the policy and readiness implications of welcoming transgender persons to serve openly”, Carter said: “The Defense Department’s current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty that distracts commanders from our core missions”. Announcing a working group to spend six months examining “the policy and readiness implications of welcoming transgender persons to serve openly”, Carter said: “The Defense Department’s current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty that distracts commanders from our core missions.”
He continued: “The Defense Department’s current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty that distracts commanders from our core missions. He continued:
“At a time when our troops have learned from experience that the most important qualification for service members should be whether they’re able and willing to do their job, our officers and enlisted personnel are faced with certain rules that tell them the opposite.”“At a time when our troops have learned from experience that the most important qualification for service members should be whether they’re able and willing to do their job, our officers and enlisted personnel are faced with certain rules that tell them the opposite.”
Carter added: “At my direction, the working group will start with the presumption that transgender persons can serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness and readiness, unless and except where objective, practical impediments are identified.Carter added: “At my direction, the working group will start with the presumption that transgender persons can serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness and readiness, unless and except where objective, practical impediments are identified.
“Second, I am directing that decision authority in all administrative discharges for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify themselves as transgender be elevated to Under Secretary Carson, who will make determinations on all potential separations.” “Second, I am directing that decision authority in all administrative discharges for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify themselves as transgender be elevated to Under Secretary [Brad] Carson, who will make determinations on all potential separations.”