The US Air Force Establishes a New Policy Regarding Transgender Service Members

• The US Air Force prohibits the discharge of transgender service members prior to their separation.
• The new policy has sparked condemnation from lawyers and rights advocates.
• Changes in the policy may undermine trust in the military leadership.

Washington — The US Air Force announced in a new memorandum that transgender service members who are to be discharged will not be able to maintain their rights to continue serving before the commission.

According to the memorandum, dated August 15, 2025, military commissions cannot independently decide whether to retain a service member or discharge them, and must recommend discharge if the service member has a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Legal experts who consult transgender service members stated that the new policy is illegal, and expressed concern that it could set a precedent for other military services. Civil rights organizations emphasize that changes could undermine trust in military leadership.

This is the second policy change that the US Air Force has implemented in recent weeks, including the refusal of transgender service members to be discharged at early retirement.

The Air Force did not respond to inquiries regarding the new policy and its legal implications.

In military commissions, evaluations are traditionally conducted to assess whether a service member is still fit for duty. Service members may present evidence of their eligibility and receive legal support.

Nonetheless, the new policy prohibits the evaluation, which may negatively impact the possibility of appeal.

Military lawyers, such as Priya Rashid, believe that the new directives contradict the principle of fairness in military commissions.

According to Pentagon data, 4,240 service members have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. The Pentagon received approval from the Supreme Court for the implementation of a ban on all transgender service members.

Senior Sergeant Jamie Hesh, who has served in the US Army since 2011, noted that he believed in the objectivity of the commission, but now feels uncertainty about the future.

Changes in the policy provoke condemnation among lawyers, who worry that this could become a standard for other military services.

Major Brian Fram, a transgender officer, expressed concern that the new policy threatens not only transgender service members but all personnel, and may set a precedent for future political decisions that ignore professional achievements.

Tags: USA/Politics