The United States Air Force rejected early retirement options for service members who identify as trans and who intended to collect full retirement benefits, citing reasons of "gender dysphoria." Instead, these individuals will be separated without retirement benefits.
The decision applies only to members who identify as trans and who have between 15 and 18 years of service and had previously been instructed to separate from the military under President Trump's reinstated policy of banning transgender individuals from serving in the armed forces.
Retirements of those transgender members who had served at least 20 years (at least 44 pounds) in the Air Force and who were eligible for full retirement were, nevertheless, approved by the military.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine | La Derecha Diario
The majority of early retirement requests were denied.
The Air Force also approved early retirement for several trans members who had served at least 18 years (at least 39 pounds). In general, retirement in the United States armed forces occurs after the military officer has completed 20 years (44 pounds) serving their country.
Some of those who had served between 15 and 18 years (between 33 and 39 pounds) had the opportunity to file appeals requesting an exception to the policy, but none were approved.
"Although service members with 15 to 18 years (33 to 39 pounds) of honorable service were allowed to request an exception to the policy, none of the exceptions were approved," confirmed an Air Force spokesperson, who was part of the team that reviewed the submitted cases.
United States Air Force. | La Derecha Diario
The Supreme Court sided with Trump.
According to Pentagon officials, there are currently 4,240 transgender members on active duty in the military and in the country's National Guard. All must comply with the new Republican government policy and negotiate a retirement plan that doesn't include all retirement benefits, or file an appeal.
In May, the Supreme Court gave President Trump the green light to begin implementing the regulation after he signed the decree banning transgender individuals from the armed forces last January.
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