President Trump recently signed and transmitted a directive to the Department of Defense, which would discontinue the admittance of transgender individuals into the military. The guidance sent to the Pentagon on Friday, August 25th, 2017, also communicated the President’s desire to cut off funding from tax dollars to pay for troops’ sex changes. The new directives issued by Trump on Friday should be implemented by March 23rd.
Former President Obama brought up the matter of transgender individuals serving in the military before leaving office. He set the implementation date for his changes for July 2017, which of course left the matter in the hands of his successor. Even at the time, Obama’s move was widely criticized, not only for the effect it might have on troop morale and unity but also for the money it would cost taxpayers. Troops opting for a sex change would have their surgeries covered as well, and be unfit for service as they recovered.
Naturally, the president’s critics began their usual charge of bigotry – indicating they have no understanding of what it means to build a strong national defense.
A senior administration official said the following about the reasoning behind the president’s directive:
“In President Trump’s judgment, the previous administration failed to identify a sufficient basis to conclude that terminating long-standing policy practice would not hinder military effectiveness, disrupt unit cohesion, or tax military resources.”
The president’s directive basically reinstates the previously existing ban on transgender individuals serving in the United States military. It also puts a stop to funds being spent on troops’ sexual reassignment surgery. However, it did include an exception for some transgender individuals already in the military to continue their service if they meet certain criteria.
Many might accuse President Trump of not caring about the men and women serving his country who are transgender. However, he is making the changes to admittance not because he doesn’t care, but because he does care.
“Every person who puts on the uniform makes our nation proud,” Trump said. “They all come from across our land. They represent every race, ethnicity, and creed, yet they all pledge the same oath, to fight for the same cause and operate as one team, with one shared sense of purpose.”
Reasons Transgender Troops Could Cause Problems
Whether or not a person agrees with the transgender lifestyle is of no consequence in this particular situation. There are other reasons that transgender troops aren’t a good idea that have nothing to do with a moral leaning. They are as follows:
• Mental Health Issues: The military has strict restrictions on admittance based upon mental health. For example, any presence of a mood disorder that requires medication can be disqualifying. Anxiety issues are also disqualifying for entry into the military. When you consider this alongside the fact that transgender people are at a greater risk by two to three fold of developing these types of mental disorders according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, it makes sense that someone who had a predisposition towards developing a mental illness wouldn’t make a good soldier.
• Mental Issues Can Take Soldiers Away From The Battle Field: Another reason why the military is so picky about enlistments is the fact that they want able bodied troops who do their job without fail. Transgender people, who are in the middle of the sexual reassignment process, are unable to perform their duties.
• It is Distracting: Troops depend on their extensive training to do their jobs, instantly, almost as a reaction. They do not have time to be distracted or to over think their next move. Distraction, as a matter of fact, can be deadly. This is another reason why individuals have to be in pristine health to enlist. Troops don’t need to be distracted by a comrade who is suffering through a diabetic episode for example. They also don’t need the distraction of wondering if a member of their troop can handle the job at hand, mentally or physically, just because they are shifting sexes.
There are many reasons to dislike the decision by President Obama to allow transgender integration into the military. Not all of them are morally based. Some of them, in fact, just make good practical or economic sense. Why make it harder than it has to be for the men and women of the United States military to do their jobs? There is simply no good reason at all.
Since non-gender confused Americans who have limitations either physically or mentally cannot enlist, why should transgender people be given a pass?
~ Liberty Planet
