WASHINGTON - Hundreds are voluntarily leaving financial bonuses as trans service members face deadlines for leaving the U.S. military. But others say they will stay and fight.
For many, it is an unsettling decision to end their favorite careers and leave the unit they lead or work with for years. They were angry.
Active-duty military personnel must identify themselves on Friday and begin voluntarily leaving the military, while the National Guard and Reserve must be by July 7.
Friday’s deadline comes as Pride Month, with the Trump administration’s efforts to address diversity, equity and inclusion, saying it aims to scrub the military’s “suffocation” and rebuild the “warrior spirit.”
"They are tired of roller coasters," said a transgender service member who plans to retire. "It's very tired."
For others, this is a summoning weapon.
"I chose to stay in the battle," said a non-commissioned officer in the Air Force. "My service is based on merits, and I have won that merit."
These troops were said primarily on anonymity, because they were worried about revenge and it was frustrating that they were forced to decide. They say it is an individual choice based on personal and family situations, including whether they will inject cash or the possibility of owing government funds.
“I’m very disappointed,” said a trans Marine. "I performed well, I had a spotless record. I was at the top of every fitness report. I was kicked out and I knew there were few scratches from others."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was the instructions of President Donald Trump and also voted by the United States. He said the Pentagon is "leaving choking and weakness" that include "the guys who no longer wear clothes."
Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, a veteran and 22 other Democratic senators, wrote to Hegseth, urging him to allow transgender troops to continue to respect.
According to rough defense estimates, more than 1,000 service members have voluntarily identified themselves as transgender and plan to begin leaving. There are about 4,240 active trans troops, but admit that the numbers are vague, defense officials said.
For many, this decision is financial.
Those who leave voluntarily will receive twice the separation salary they will usually receive without having to refund the bonus or tuition fees. Those who refuse to go may be forced to repay re-upgrades or other bonuses up to $50,000.
That was the turning point for Army expert Roni Ferrell, a joint base at Lewis-McChord, near Tacoma, Washington.
Ferrell, 28, lives at the base with her wife and two children and plans to stay in the army for at least a decade. But she said she felt "back to a corner" to sign a voluntary separation agreement, worried she would have to repay the $18,500 re-entry bonus.
"My commander basically said that this is my only option to make sure my children are taken care of," Ferrer said.
The Marine, who has served for more than 25 years, said she plans to stay and fight but changed her mind. She said the lawyer told her that the involuntary separation would list a code on her record saying she was forced to leave “for the benefit of national security.”
The designation could mean that those who are involuntarily separated may lose security permits, thereby damaging future job prospects, she said.
Defence officials said in a statement Friday that the code “unintentionally” triggered a clearance revocation and that gender irritability is not a safety report requirement, according to the national intelligence minister. Officials discussed the internal review on anonymity.
Cynthia Cheng-Wun Weaver, senior director of human rights litigation litigation, said it was important to talk to advocate judges on their services to make sure they understand the different procedures implemented.
Air Force waiters and transgender officials in the Army National Guard said they intend to keep and fight. The lawsuit for the injunction continues and can change or block the policy.
For troops involved in court operations as plaintiffs, voluntary departure now may damage their position in this case. For others, it’s just a dedication to their careers.
"I really embraced the military culture, and it has embraced me," the Air Force member said. "It has nothing to do with money. It's a career I love."
The guards responded to the sentiment, saying he would stay: "Because it's important to me. Frankly, I'm good at it, I'm well-trained, and I want to continue."
Others who don’t have bonus repayments or who only join the army for a short period of time without getting too many separation bonuses may choose to stay and see what happens.
National Guard members may need to go to training weekends per month or two weeks a year in June, but as the gender assigned at birth.
This means they have to wear uniforms and hairstyles of the gender, use the bathroom, and be called "Mr." or "Mrs." according to the gender.
For many people, this may be nearly impossible and creates uncomfortable situations.
"If I showed up on drilling this weekend, I would like to use all the female facilities," the Army guard officer said. The Army guard officer said he transitioned to males about five years ago and said others in his unit knew he was a man. "I don't look like a woman. I don't feel like a woman. It will undermine my good commands and discipline, let me show up and tell my soldiers that you have to call me 'mom' now."
It is not clear whether the guard unit handles it the same way and can depend on individual states or commanders. Some may allow troops to postpone exercises or take administrative leave.
Service members interviewed by the Associated Press said they have no idea what will happen once the deadline passes to leave voluntarily.
Some believe that unit commanders will quickly go out alone and start to separate involuntarily. Others say the process is vague and may involve a medical review board and may take several months.
Defense officials said Friday that as the Pentagon takes these steps, “our service members will be treated with dignity and respect.”
Defense officials said that under the direction of Hergs, military commanders will be told to suffer from gender irritable troops — when a person's biological sexual behavior does not match their gender identity at the same time — and send them for medical examinations to force them to withdraw from service. The order relies on a regular annual health check--so it may take several months to evaluate.
"My real point is that the whole effort of this government is to reform the country based on merits, gender, race, etc. should not have hiring factors," the Air Force Service said. "If that's true, I'm removed only because of gender, merits are no longer a factor."