The US Army has announced that transgender individuals will no longer be allowed to enlist in the military, and procedures related to gender transition for service members will be halted.
In a statement shared on X, the US Army confirmed that the policy takes effect immediately. It stated that all new accessions of individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are suspended, and all medical procedures related to gender transition for service members have been paused.
“The #USArmy will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and will stop performing or facilitating procedures associated with gender transition for service members. Stay tuned for more details,” the Army posted on X.
It further added, “Effective immediately, all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused, and all unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for service members are paused.”
The announcement follows US President Donald Trump’s recent signing of four executive orders aimed at reshaping the military. Among them is a directive banning transgender individuals from serving in the US armed forces.
On January 27, Trump signed these executive orders aboard Air Force One while traveling to Washington from Florida, CNN reported. Additionally, he reinstated—along with back pay—troops who were discharged for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
During his first administration in 2017, Trump had implemented a similar ban on transgender military service. However, in 2021, then-President Joe Biden reversed the policy, allowing transgender individuals to serve. Hours after being sworn in as the 47th US President on January 20, Trump revoked Biden’s order, reinstating the ban.
Despite the policy shift, the US Army stated, “Individuals with gender dysphoria who have volunteered to serve our country will be treated with dignity and respect.”
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