Navy is first branch to lead the way with mandatory Transgender training

Lt. Cmdr. Valerie Greenaway, Ronald Reagan’s training officer, from Cleveland, conducts Department of the Navy transgender policy training in the wardroom of the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Photo by Erwin Jacob V Miciano

The United States Navy is leading the way when it comes to preparing for the transition of transgendered troops into the military.

Utilizing mandatory training, the Navy has begun holding training sessions, taking place in classrooms ranging from the USS Ronald Reagan in the Pacific to the Naval War College in Rhode Island and bases in Afghanistan.

“It is important to allow all our Sailors to serve with dignity”, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral John Richardson said during his visit to Resolute Support HQ in Afghanistan last year. “I have to congratulate you all for starting the training so quickly here in Afghanistan, learning forward on how we are doing that.”

U.S. Navy Sailors deployed to Resolute Support received training on the new DoD Transgender policy. "It is important to allow all our Sailors to serve with dignity", said Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson during his visit to RS HQ. "I have to congratulate you all for starting the training so quickly here in Afghanistan, learning forward on how we are doing that." (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Christopher R. Hanson) — U.S. Navy Sailors deployed to Resolute Support received training on the new DoD Transgender policy. “It is important to allow all our Sailors to serve with dignity”, said Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson during his visit to RS HQ. “I have to congratulate you all for starting the training so quickly here in Afghanistan, learning forward on how we are doing that.”
(U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Christopher R. Hanson)

In June of last year, outgoing Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced the DoD’s lifting of the ban that prevented transgendered troops from openly serving in the US military, mandating that all services complete transition and accommodation for the new policy by July 1, 2017.

While all services are currently devising strategies to successfully transition transgender troops into service, the Navy has proven to be the most vigorous in their efforts, particularly in the public eye.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Dec. 6, 2016) Cmdr. Daniel Testa, commanding officer of the Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 conducts transgender policy training with Sailors aboard the guided missile-cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56). The guided-missile cruiser San Jacinto, currently deployed as part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew J. Sneeringer/Released)

According to transgender implementation information set forth by the DoD in 2016, “Service members with a diagnosis from a military medical provider indicating that gender transition is medically necessary will be provided medical care and treatment for the diagnosed medical condition, in the same manner as other medical care and treatment.”

Transitions officially begin after a service member receives a diagnosis from a military medical provider indicating that gender transition is medically necessary and only conclude when the Service member’s gender marker is changed in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and the Service member serves and is recognized in the preferred gender.

Since the announcement of transgender troop ban being lifted, TRICARE has released a list of treatments that would be covered –with military funding– for troops who identify as transgender.

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