A group of 56 retired generals and admirals in the United States has sent an to President Trump, warning him of the significant consequences that the military would face if transgender troops were banned from serving.
“Patriotic transgender Americans who are serving—and who want to serve—must not be dismissed, deprived of medically necessary health care, or forced to compromise their integrity or hide their identity,” the letter reads.
President Trump wrote a series of tweets last week announcing that the US government will “not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity” in the military, citing “medical costs and disruption”.
“We respectfully disagree, and consider these claims to be without merit," the letter continues.
"The RAND Corporation, as well as research in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the financial cost of providing health care to transgender troops would be, at most, $8.4 million per year."
The letter points out that this figure is one-one-hundredth of one percent of the military’s annual health care budget.
The former military leaders also note that there are currently 18 nations globally—including the UK and Israel—that allow transgender troops to serve openly and none have reported the policy as disruptive.
Transgender troops have been serving openly in the US military for the past year and the generals and admirals write that they have been “widely praised by commanders”.
“Recently, two former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have taken courageous stands in support of our transgender service members,” the letter continues.
“General Martin Dempsey said of our transgender troops that, ‘The service of men and women who volunteer and who meet our standards of service is a blessing, not a burden.”
The letter also quotes Admiral Mike Mullen—who served during the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ era and noted that the policy had a devastating impact on morale and readiness.
“Thousands of transgender Americans are currently serving in uniform and there is no reason to single out these brave men and women and deny them the medical care that they require,” the letter quotes Mullen as saying.
“The military conducted a thorough research process on this issue and concluded that inclusive policy for transgender troops promotes readiness."
Current military leaders speak out
The current Admiral of the US Coast Guard has also against the proposed ban, saying that he would not be honouring such a policy.
Admiral Paul Zukunft has contacted the 13 openly serving transgender members of the Coast Guard to offer his support.
“I reached out personally to Lt. Taylor Miller, who was featured on the cover of The Washington Post last week,” Zukunft said.
“If you read that story, Taylor’s family has disowned her. Her family is the United States Coast Guard. And I told Taylor, ‘I will not turn my back. We have made an investment in you, and you have made an investment in the Coast Guard, and I will not break faith.’”
