A 2025 Pentagon policy memo (Oct. 8, 2025) allows military commanders to override separation-board decisions about whether transgender service members may remain in uniform, reversing a longstanding practice of independent board decision-making.
October 08, 2025
high
policy
Change to military personnel adjudication procedures affecting separation boards and transgender service members.
A 2025 Pentagon policy memo requires transgender service members to appear before separation boards in uniforms and grooming that match the sex assigned at birth and permits boards to proceed in absentia and consider failure to comply with those standards when determining separation.
October 08, 2025
high
policy
Uniform and grooming requirements incorporated into separation-board procedures for service members subject to potential discharge.
The U.S. Department of Defense has implemented policies that restrict access to gender transition–related medical treatment for transgender service members.
high
policy
Describes a durable policy area affecting medical care for transgender troops across the U.S. military.