SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON. DC 20301-1000 .

 

MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

UNDER SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE

COMMANDANT. U.S. COAST GUARD

DEPUTY CHIEF MANAGEMENT OFFICER

CHIEF, NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU

GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DIRECTOR OF COST ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAM
EVALUATION

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR LEGISLATIVE
AFFAIRS

ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PUBLIC
AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR OF NET ASSESSMENT

DIRECTOR. STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES OFFICE

DIRECTORS OF DEFENSE AGENCIES

DIRECTORS OF DOD FIELD ACTIVITIES

SUBJECT: Military Service by Transgender Individuals Interim Guidance

The Department of Defense has received the Presidential Memorandum,
Service by Transgendcr Individuals, dated August 25, 2017 (?Presidential
Memorandum?). DOD will carry out the President?s policy and directives in consultation with
the Department of Homeland Security with reSpect to the US. Coast Guard. Not later
than February 21, 2018, I will present the President with a plan to implement the policy and
directives in the Presidential Memorandum. Consistent with military effectiveness and lethality,
budgetary constraints, and applicable law, the implementation plan will establish the policy,
standards and procedures for transgender individuals serving in the military. The Deputy
Secretary of Defense and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, supported by a panel of
experts (?Panel?), shall propose for my consideration recommendations supported by appropriate
evidence and information.

To comply with the Presidential Memorandum, ensure the continued combat readiness of
the force, and maximize flexibility in the development of the implementation plan, the attached
Interim Guidance takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until I promulgate DoD?s
?nal policy in this matter. By agreement with the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, this
Interim Guidance also applies to the US. Coast Guard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Interim Guidance
First and foremost, we will continue to treat every Service member with dignity and respect.

Accessions: The procedures set forth in Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03,
Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services, dated
April 28, 2010 (Change 1), which generally prohibit the accession of transgender individuals into
the Military Services, remain in effect because current or history of gender or gender
transition does not meet medical standards, subject to the normal waiver process.

Medical Care and Treatment: Service members who receive a gender diagnosis from
a military medical provider will be provided treatment for the diagnosed medical condition. As
directed by the Memorandum, no new sex reassignment surgical procedures for military
personnel will be permitted after March 22, 2018, except to the extent necessary to protect the
health of an individual who has already begun a course of treatment to reassign his or her sex.

In-Service Transition for Transgender Service Members: The policies and procedures set forth
in 1300.28, In-Service Transition for Transgender Service Members, dated July 1, 2016,
remain in effect until I promulgate DoD?s ?nal guidance in this matter.

Separation and Retention of Transgender Service members:

Service members who have completed their gender transition process and whose gender
marker has been changed in DEERS will continue to serve in their preferred gender while this
Interim Guidance remains in effect.

An otherwise quali?ed transgender Service member whose term of service expires while
this Interim Guidance remains in effect, may, at the Service member?s request, be re-enlisted in
service under existing procedures.

As directed by the Memorandum, no action may be taken to involuntarily separate or
discharge an otherwise quali?ed Service member solely on the basis of a gender 
diagnosis or transgender status. Transgender Service members are subject to the same standards
as any other Service member of the same gender; they may be separated or discharged under
existing bases and processes, but not on the basis of a gender diagnosis or transgender
status.

Reestablishment of the Of?ce of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Central Coordination Cell: The will reestablish the Central
Coordination Cell to provide expert advice and assistance to the Military Departments
and Services and to commanders with regard to this Interim Guidance. The may be
reached at