Trump is Looking to Boot Transgender Troops from the Military. Here's Why That's Complicated

How Has It Worked Out?

The chiefs of all four military services told members of Congress in 2018 they were seeing few problems as transgender troops began serving openly.

The Navy chief at the time, Adm. John Richardson, said the Navy was dealing with the issue the same way it handled the integration of women sailors on submarines.

And the Marine commandant then, Gen. Robert Neller, said there were no unit cohesion or discipline problems. His only concern, he told a Senate committee, was that some commanders were saying they had to spend "a lot of time" with transgender people as they worked through medical requirements involving their transition to their preferred gender.

Sarah Klimm, a transgender Marine who served for 23 years, retired just as the end to the ban was announced in 2016, so was never able to serve openly.

"Trans military members that are out there right now are dropping bombs, pulling triggers, fixing all the weapons systems," she said Tuesday. "And now you're looking to keep them away."

Klimm, who is now a policy analyst for Minority Veterans of America, said it's an especially precarious time to remove thousands of service members as recruiting has been a struggle.

Emily Shilling, who has been openly transgender since 2019, is currently serving as a commander in the Navy with more than 19 years of service, including as a combat pilot who flew 60 missions in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

"I just want to continue serving my country, using the skills this nation invested in me as a fighter pilot and leader," she said, stressing that she was speaking in her personal capacity. "For nearly two decades, I've upheld the highest standards of excellence, leading teams in combat and peace. All I ask is the opportunity to keep using my training and experience to serve this country with honor, courage and dedication."

– Associated Press writer Tara Copp contributed to this report.