Army Officer Resigns in Protest Against Transgender Military Ban

Since enlisting in the United States Army in 2006 and commissioning as an officer in 2013, I have held numerous leadership roles and take great pride in my service. However, this month, I have initiated the process of resigning in objection to the executive order that prohibits transgender individuals from serving in the military.

This directive, issued earlier this year and recently allowed to be enforced by the Supreme Court, may stand on legal grounds but fails to meet moral and ethical standards. As an officer, I believe I am compelled to voice dissent when confronted with an unjust order.

My personal background might not align with expectations for someone opposing this ban. I am a conservative evangelical Christian and identify as a Republican. While I empathize with those experiencing gender dysphoria, I hold reservations about transitioning rather than embracing one's biological identity. Nevertheless, my personal beliefs should not influence the debate over the rights and service of transgender troops.

Having served under multiple presidential administrations, I recognize that military policies evolve with changing leadership. I have previously disagreed with policy shifts, such as the repeal of "don’t ask, don’t tell" in 2011, but I never felt compelled to resign until now.

This ban is fundamentally discriminatory and unrelated to the stated rationale concerning military readiness. When enforcing the ban, the Department of Defense cited medical and mental health limitations allegedly incompatible with the rigorous demands of military service.

These claims lack factual support. A 2016 RAND Corporation study commissioned by the Department of Defense found that other nations allowing transgender individuals to serve openly experienced no adverse effects on unit cohesion, operational effectiveness, or readiness. Additionally, the American Psychological Association confirmed in 2018 that gender dysphoria does not impede high-level performance, including in military roles. Since the Pentagon’s 2016 decision to permit open service by transgender personnel, these troops have actively participated in combat zones, provided essential support, and fulfilled critical military functions.