Although the 2011 repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell allows gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers to serve openly, a Department of Defense medical ban still forbids open transgender service.
A March 2014 study by Palm Center has three recommendations. First, the military should remove the ban against open transgender service. Second, instead of writing new medical regregulations, assume any trans individual is fit for duty unless he or she fails an existing medical standard—the same ones affecting cisgender recruits. Finally, base new administrative guidance on the military precedents of Australia, Canada, or Israel who have all successfully incorporated transgender soldiers into their governments. Our troops sacrifice their lives for our freedom. It's time to stop restricting theirs.