Military Seeks Delay in Transgender Mandate

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WASHINGTON (ChurchMilitant.com) - Military officials are requesting a delay in allowing so-called transgender personnel to serve in the U.S. armed forces after meetings last week.

After being refused a two-year delay due to fears of criticism, officials in the Army and Air Force are seeking a six-month delay in the implementation of transgender guidelines as of June 24.

Military chiefs are further requesting that transgender personnel be on hormones for at least two years before being able to serve, rather than the 18 months currently called for. They are also asking for a trial period of one year to see if the policy is in the best interests of the military and transgender personnel.

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In July 2016, the Pentagon announced, under direction from the Obama administration, that it would be eliminating the long-standing prohibition on openly transgender individuals serving in the military. Although it takes years to test military equipment, tactics and policies to ensure they are in the best interest of the U.S. government, all branches of the military were given 12 months to implement the new transgender guidelines.

It was reported earlier that military sources are claiming there are insurmountable obstacles in executing the Pentagon's orders.

A source told Military Times, "It's not that we're unsupportive or unwilling to implement it, just that there were administrative matters to be addressed." He noted, "We had several questions for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, seeking clarification on aspects of the policy that have not been addressed yet."

The source also noted that funding to implement the accommodation of transgender personnel "did not come through," noting the need for new showering and living spaces.

It was further disclosed that some officials "are apprehensive about whether some transgender recruits or officer candidates could experience psychological side effects associated with their gender dysphoria."

In May, Secretary of Defense James Mattis sent a memo to military leaders, giving them an opportunity to comment on the upcoming policy change. He reportedly commented that transgender implementation would go ahead "unless they cause readiness problems that could lessen our ability to fight, survive and win on the battlefield."

In September, the Pentagon agreed to pay for so-called sex-change operations for active duty military members, including behavior therapy, hormone therapy and "gender reassignment" surgery.

California Congressman Duncan Hunter has criticized President Obama's social engineering of the military, including his decision to lift the ban on transgenders as having the effect of cutting down on "the warrior mentality."

"Having transgender operations paid for by the U.S. taxpayer is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of because it doesn't do anything to help America project power or to fight and win its wars," Hunter remarked.

"Nothing. There's no upside to it whatsoever."

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