US Army to revert transgender soldiers’ records to birth sex.
The U.S. Army is set to update the records of all transgender soldiers to reflect their sex assigned at birth, according to an internal memo obtained by Reuters. The 14-page directive instructs commanders to immediately amend personnel files and administrative systems to list only biological sex, reinforcing the position that sex is unchanging throughout a person’s life. This policy aligns with a recent Pentagon memo from February and follows the Supreme Court’s ruling enabling the Pentagon to enforce a ban on transgender military service.
The memo also mandates that pronouns used for service members correspond to their biological sex and that salutations like “sir” or “ma’am” be based on that as well. Access to gender-segregated spaces, such as bathrooms and intimate areas, will also be strictly determined by biological sex, with clear designations for male, female, or family use.
These measures are part of a broader effort under former President Donald Trump’s administration, which reinstated a ban on transgender troops serving openly, reversing policies from the previous Biden administration. The Pentagon plans to discharge transgender soldiers who do not voluntarily separate by June 6 and to halt gender-affirming healthcare.
Currently, there are about 4,240 transgender individuals serving on active duty or in the National Guard, although advocates suggest the number may be higher. Critics describe the policies as aggressive and damaging to military readiness, while a Gallup poll earlier this year showed 58% of Americans support transgender individuals serving openly, though this support has declined since 2019.
Key Points:
The U.S. Army will change transgender soldiers’ records to reflect their birth-assigned sex.
Commanders must update personnel files and use pronouns aligned with biological sex.
Access to gender-specific intimate spaces will be based strictly on biological sex.
The policy follows a Supreme Court decision allowing enforcement of the transgender military ban.
Transgender troops who don’t voluntarily separate by June 6 may face discharge.
Gender-affirming healthcare for transgender soldiers will be stopped.
Around 4,240 transgender troops currently serve, according to official estimates.
Critics argue these policies harm military readiness and are vindictive.
Public support for transgender service members has declined but remains a majority.
The U.S. Army’s directive to revert transgender soldiers’ records and restrict recognition of gender identity reflects a significant rollback of previous inclusion policies. This shift, driven by the Trump administration’s stance and enabled by recent judicial rulings, is expected to lead to increased discharges and reduced support for transgender troops. The move has sparked controversy and criticism, highlighting the ongoing cultural and political divide over transgender rights within the military and society at large.
