What are the Department of Defense (DOD) Policies on Transgender Service?

Abstract

[Excerpt] On July 13, 2015, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that DOD will review its policies on transgender service. As part of this announcement he issued two directives: 1. DOD will create a working group composed of military and civilian personnel to study the policy and readiness implications of allowing transgender persons to serve openly. 2. The decision authority for administrative discharges for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify themselves as transgender will be the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.