US Army Bans Transgender Recruits in Policy Shift

The US Army has implemented a new policy prohibiting transgender individuals from enlisting, sparking debates on military inclusivity and human rights.

The US Army has declared an immediate ban on transgender individuals enlisting and has suspended all sex change-related medical procedures for current service members, according to a post on its official X account this past Friday.

The policy change arises from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 27, requiring the military to strictly comply with individuals’ biological sex and effectively removing gender identity considerations within the armed forces.

“Starting immediately, any new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are put on hold. Additionally, all medical procedures related to affirming or facilitating a gender transition for service members—whether unscheduled, scheduled, or planned—are suspended,” the US Army announced.

In alignment with a recent memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the US Army has committed to treating all actively serving individuals experiencing gender dysphoria “with dignity and respect.”

Advocacy groups assert that as many as 15,000 transgender individuals are serving in various branches of the US military. However, official figures from Reuters indicate a significantly smaller number, described as being “in the low thousands.”

Earlier this month, Hegseth, a former Fox News host and US National Guard veteran, criticized the “divisive” initiatives within the armed forces as he sought to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at the Pentagon. He argued that these efforts weaken unity.

“I believe the most misguided statement in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength.’ In my view, our true strength lies in unity,” Hegseth shared with Defense Department personnel. “In this department, we shall treat everyone equally and with respect… We will evaluate you based on your individual merit and dedication to the team and mission.”

In 2017, Trump initially prohibited transgender individuals from serving in the US military. After taking office in 2021, former President Joe Biden reversed this ban. However, during his second term, Trump reinstated it once again.

Since his return to office, Trump has revoked numerous executive orders implemented by his predecessor, including several initiatives aimed at supporting the interests of racial minorities and the LGBTQ community.

He formally declared that the US government will only acknowledge two genders, male and female, stating these classifications are unalterable. Additionally, Trump terminated federal funding for what he termed as “chemical and surgical mutilation” of minors through puberty blockers, hormones, and other medical interventions associated with gender transitions for individuals under 19 years old.