WASHINGTON – A newly released Pentagon memorandum outlines updated administrative separation procedures for service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria, reinforcing uniform and grooming requirements and clarifying the process by which commanders and boards determine retention or separation.
The memo, issued October 8 by Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata, implements provisions of President Trump’s Executive Order 14183: Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness (January 27, 2025). It instructs all military departments to ensure separation proceedings follow standardized procedures and uniform requirements tied to biological sex at birth.
Key Points of the New Guidance
According to the memorandum, service members facing separation under this policy may appear before administrative separation boards or boards of inquiry either in person or virtually. However, those appearances must conform to the uniform and grooming standards associated with the service member’s sex at birth.
The memo specifies that waivers for alternate uniforms or civilian attire will not be authorized, and if a member refuses to comply, the board may proceed in their absence and consider that refusal when determining its findings.
The document also establishes standardized “findings and recommendations” worksheets to guide boards in determining whether a service member has a “diagnosis, history of, or exhibits symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria.” If such a determination is made, separation is directed in accordance with the referenced policy. In most cases, the characterization of service will remain Honorable, unless otherwise warranted.
Retention waivers may be requested through the chain of command within 15 days of a final decision, allowing service members limited recourse after a separation decision is made.
Pentagon Position
A Pentagon spokesperson told the Associated Press that the Department “does not comment on ongoing litigation.” The Defense Department has previously stated that the administration’s personnel policies aim to “prioritize military readiness, cohesion, and standards consistent with mission requirements.”
The memo reiterates that all hearings will be closed to the public to protect privacy and maintain procedural integrity. It also notes that commanders and board members will receive standardized training to ensure consistency and legal compliance in all proceedings.
Reaction and Legal Context
The Associated Press reported that advocacy groups representing transgender service members criticized the new requirements as restrictive and “prejudged.”
“They’re already essentially being rigged with a predetermined outcome,” said Emily Starbuck Gerson, a spokeswoman for SPARTA Pride, an advocacy group for transgender troops and veterans. “Now you’re further penalizing someone for not showing up because they can’t wear the wrong uniform.”
One active-duty Air Force master sergeant, Logan Ireland, who has served for 15 years, told the AP that being required to appear in a uniform tied to a gender he no longer identifies with “would be like wearing a costume.” He described the policy as “a betrayal of what the military has seen me as.”
Supporters of the administration’s policy have argued that the guidance reinforces standards of discipline and uniformity within the ranks, emphasizing biological criteria already recognized in other areas of military policy. They contend the policy is about maintaining readiness, not targeting individuals.
Legal advocates such as Priya Rashid, a military attorney quoted by the AP, expressed concern that allowing commanders to override separation board findings could undermine the impartiality of the process.
“Service members accused of serious misconduct are being afforded more due process protections,” Rashid said.
Under the memo, commanders retain final authority to approve, modify, or disapprove a board’s recommendation. The memo also clarifies that security clearance eligibility should not be automatically affected by a gender dysphoria diagnosis alone.
The October 2025 memo codifies the Department of Defense’s implementation of President Trump’s executive order aimed at refocusing military policy around “biological truth” and “military excellence.” While it maintains existing benefits and allows for honorable discharges, it limits avenues for appeal and reinforces gender-based uniform standards during proceedings.
The policy remains under legal challenge, and courts are expected to continue weighing its compatibility with prior rulings on transgender service. For now, the Pentagon’s new guidance formally sets the framework for how transgender-identifying service members will be processed for separation under the current administration’s readiness priorities.
Editor’s Note: The Salty Soldier reports this issue to inform readers of official policy changes and their impact on service members. This article is presented for factual and contextual understanding — it does not advocate for or against the Pentagon’s policy or the positions of any individuals or organizations involved.
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