The Navy Department is offering transgender sailors and Marines the option to voluntarily separate them from the service by March 28th. Otherwise they risk being launched from the service.
The policy coincides with the executive order that President Donald Trump signed in January to prohibit transgender individuals from serving the military, and subsequent orders by the Secretary of Defense in February direct each service branch to begin separating transgender forces within 30 days.
Navy Deputy Director Terrence Emmert said in a note that the Navy Department recognizes men and women as only two genders, “the gender of an individual is and is unchanging in a person’s life.”
As a result, Emmert said those with history and those who “show symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria disorder will not serve the military and may choose to voluntarily leave the service by March 28th.
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The Navy is offering transgender sailors and Marines the option to voluntarily separate from the service by March 28th (Gerard Bottino/Sopa Images/Lightrocket via Getty Images)
“The history of sexual repositioning or genital reconstruction surgery as a treatment for gender discomfort or treatment pursuing sexual transitions is disqualification for applicants for military service and is not compatible with military service,” MEMO said.
Still, the Navy said it had not conducted medical records or health assessments to identify transgender service members unless explicitly requested.
Transgender service members who have not taken up the Navy in their offer to voluntarily separate the Navy will be eligible for many benefits after segregation. According to a Navy memo, those who are voluntarily separated from the service will receive twice the segregation salary as voluntarily deleted persons.
For example, the Pentagon said on February 28 that first class of Petty Officer, with 10 years of experience in the Navy, will raise a total of $101,628 on voluntary separation salary, but only $50,814 if its service member opts for involuntary separation salary.
Those who have been serving less than six years or who have worked for more than 20 years are eligible for voluntary separate pay.
“The Chiefs of Naval Operations (CNOs) and Marine Corps Commanders (CMCs) will maximize the use of all available command authorities so that the affected personnel are given dignity and respect,” the Navy memo said.
Several exceptions to the rule may apply. The memo said retaining or recruiting such individuals could result in the possibility of issuing exemptions to those who wish to remain or participate in the service on a “case by case” and “case by case” basis.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegses issued guidance in February, instructing the Services branch to develop a plan to separate transgender forces. (Yves Herman/Reuters)
The Navy introduced the digital to the order’s press release when it reached the comments and did not provide an answer as to how many seafarers the order would affect.
The Navy issued its guidance the same day a federal judge heard the debate on the lawsuit filed by LGBTQ legal advocacy group glad Law and the National Center for Lesbian Rights against the Trump administration.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes is expected to issue a final decision on the interim injunction by March 25th. GladLaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Lambda Regal filed another lawsuit in February, challenging the Trump administration’s order on behalf of six trans service members and asking a federal judge to block the order within legal proceedings.
“Disgraceful behaviour from a dishonorable administration,” the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Lambda Legal said in a February 27 statement. “This attack on those dedicated to serving our country is not only morally condemned, but is fundamentally unAmerican. Though it has driven out thousands of transgender soldiers and has met all the qualifications, it does not increase military excellence or make the country safer.”
The Human Rights Campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Navy leaders have previously advocated for LGBTQ service members. For example, Mike Gillday’s former Naval Chief defended a non-binary naval officer assigned to aircraft airline Gerald R. Ford.
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Former Navy Secretary Mike Gillday defended non-biased naval officers in 2023 before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The video attracted scrutiny from Republican lawmakers. For example, after that. Marco Rubio shared the video on X in April 2023, saying, “While China prepares for war, this is what @Usnavy is focusing on.”
However, Gillday, who retired in August 2023, told a Republican lawmaker on the Senate Army Worship Committee in April 2023 that he was proud of his officers and that people from a variety of backgrounds are proud to serve in the Navy.
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As a result, Gilday said naval leaders are “required to build close-up combat teams that follow the law, and the law requires us to be able to carry out quick and sustainable operations at sea.”
“That level of trust that the commander deploys across that unit must be based on dignity and respect,” Gillday said in April 2023.
Diana Stancy is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the White House.
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