The US Air Force suddenly withdrew its previously approved early retirement Transgender Service members and change advocates who are in charge of services for 2015-18 say they will specifically target trans people who have already been kicked out under the Trump administration Military Prohibited.
The August 4th order voids the retirement date granted under a temporary early retirement agency, leaving affected service members and Space Force guardians, and faces involuntary separation and loss of lifetime profits just a few months after leaving the service.
The Air Force cited the “Military Excellence and Preparation Prioritization” policy, which is part of the president. Donald Trump and a broader purge of Defense Secretary Pete Hegses, a transgender service member, which came into effect in June.
A sudden reversal
Master Sergeant. Logan Ireland didn’t want to retire from the US Air Force. After 15 years of decorated service, he planned to continue wearing uniforms for years to come. However, when the Trump administration announced earlier this year that members of transgender services, people like him, would no longer be able to serve for who they are, Ireland was forced to choose what he considered two less evils. First, his family needs he applied for early retirement shortly after policy changes. Approved.
Then, without warning, the Air Force reclaimed it.
“I had an early retirement order in my hand, but it was already approved by the Air Force Department for my retirement date on December 1st,” Ireland said. Supporters. “My wife and I had planned what it would look like and how long they would wear uniforms. And it’s all centered around that date. And yesterday, the Air Force Department cancelled early retirement without justification and no case-by-case reviews.
Air Force Master Sergeant Logan Ireland in a dress uniform holding his diplomaPhoto courtesy
On August 4, Brian L. Scarlett served as Air Force personnel and assistant secretary in reserve matters, signing an order that “disapproves all temporary early retirement agency (TERA) exceptions to members with 15-18 years of service.” Commands obtained by Supporterswhich invalidates approved retirements in that category and provides only two paths to advance.
He said in the document he made the decision “after careful consideration of individual applications.” However, LinkedIn, Scarlett announcement His new acting position on Tuesday.
Second note obtained by Supportersfrom the Air Force Personnel Center to members affected on August 6, told them that “the resignation order was immediately effective,” and the members “must be processed for separation instead.”
Ireland was first learned about a reversal from a social media post by another trans service member. “Ironically, as I was reading that message, I received a text from the Chief.
As he stepped into the meeting, he said he saw tears in his leadership eyes. “I knew this wasn’t what they wanted. They were very supportive and champions of all the services within my service and in the trans community. But at the end of the day, they followed despite the orders and emotional connections.”
Air Force memos not mentioned Transgender People are naming it, but cites the executive order “Favour military excellence and preparation,” the same policy framework that has been driving system-wide purging of transgender service members across all branches since June. Under that directive, military commanders must identify potential transgender people for medical evaluation and expulsion, unless they obtain a near-impossible and high level exemption that requires rejection of gender identity.
“This is the central part of me and now I’m only torn from me. So being allowed to retire is how I find closures and when I look at the Air Force, they say, “What do you know? Despite this policy, they are trying to do the right thing by some service members. But now I feel betrayed by the same service that once celebrated who I was.”
With this decision, Ireland had only two options. Both voluntary or involuntary separations said, “opposed to my will.” He chose the latter. “It was the best choice for me,” he said.
The reversal will have more impact than Ireland’s career plans. “Our health insurance is very important to us because it eliminates the ability to have tricare for life,” he said. “It eliminates the ability to live in a base that we feel safe as a transgender couple, and only the other additional benefits that come with being a retired veteran will be wiped out.”
The Irish wife, a transgender veteran, was separated from the Army in 2015 under previous restrictions. She is a trans woman of colour. He is a white trans man. Both experience firsthand inconsistent treatment of military personnel with transgender personnel.
“Irish Sergeant served for 15 years, including multiple overseas tours in places such as Afghanistan, Kandahar, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.” LGBTQ The rights were stated in a statement. “He is very decorated and multiple medals recognize his important contribution to the US Air Force.”
Minter expanded with his remarks Supporters.” The Air Force has broken its direct commitment to service members who are already permitted to retire early. This is a double betrayal. First, trans service members forced them to leave after they promised they could serve, and retracted their ability to get early retirement after admitting it. The financial outcome is devastating, meaning that the service members who have given their lives to our country have received nothing. ”
Safety is not far from Ireland’s heart. His gender markers in the military personnel system have already been returned to women. “I went out to a medical appointment outside the base and they came out and said, “Mrs. Ireland and I stood up and that’s embarrassing. But my safety is an consideration. I don’t know who is chasing me or who is going to take me home. My safety is at the military base.
They feel relatively protected Hawaiisaid Ireland is cautious and plans to remain on the island, at a place where he is stationed and culturally recognized by the traditional third-generation identity, Mahu, at least through its current regime.
As Supporters The policy, reported in June, came into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted an injunction in related cases, enforcing thousands of people what legal advocates call “voluntary” exits. “An honorable, dedicated trans soldier is forced to choreograph their own dismissal,” Jennifer Levy, the leading lawyer in the happy law, called at the time “a shameful betrayal of American values.”
The Air Force order for August 4th is the latest turn of the screws.
The Air Force Department did not respond SupportersRequest a comment.
Target Rollback
“This is aimed at trans service members to obtain this option for early retirement for people between 15 and 18 years,” said Cathy Marcello, interim executive director of the American Modern Military Association. Supporters In an interview. “Devoted patriots like Logan Ireland have already been approved and have started planning their lives accordingly. Now the option is gone. It is unnecessary, intentionally cruel and very destructive for individuals who continue to serve if possible.”
Marcello points out that references to the memo on “Military Excellence and Preparation Prioritization” link it directly to a wider purge. “Like these other decisions regarding the ban on trans services, none of these decisions actually take into account merits or combat capabilities,” she said. “Trans Service members are removed simply based on who they are. They will not make America stronger or safe.”
What is Terra and it’s important to lose it
The Temporary Early Retirement Bureau (TERA) is a force management tool that was first approved in the early 1990s for use during military drawdowns. Service members who are at least 15 but not 20 years can retire early on with proportional profits rather than being separated without them.
Under the previous implementation of the Air Force, members of 18-20 years could be fully approved by Tera, Marcello explained. People aged 15-18 can request “policy exceptions.” This is granted to transgender service members who are facing unwilling discharge under the current ban.
“It’s a great benefit for someone who’s already been doing quite a bit of time, but is shy and forced to finish off their careers of a standard 20-year retirement,” Marcelo said. “On August 6th, we learned about this new memo, which inexplicably ended the exception to the policy for people who have been working for 15-18 years and cancelled it for those who have already been approved.”
For these members, Terra represents more than a pre-planned retirement, she said. This was a way to maintain the essential benefits, including health insurance coverage, basic access and other benefits.
Select name only
Marcello says that in this case the offer of voluntary separation of the Air Force makes little sense. The deadline for Active Duty members to select it passed in June and acquired the reserve in July. “That window is closed so quoting it now as an alternative is misleading,” she said.
Even those who may have received the offer, she added that the segregation salary is not a substitute for retirement benefits and is accompanied by a string. “The Department of Veterans Affairs collects segregated wages from disability benefits and treats them as debt until they are repaid. Therefore, they cannot make a profit in the long term.”
Ireland said the decision is causing a dramatic change for others already in his position. “One day you’re preparing for a dignified retirement. Next you’re told you aren’t out, and it’s not your condition,” he said. He said his fellow trans planes and single father had already bought a house, registered his children at school, and stuffed his belongings when his approved retirement was revoked.
More than politics
Ireland argues that his commitment to the Air Force was never about who occupy the oval office. “I serve my country, not for leadership,” he said. “We serve people who sit on the left and right. We don’t care who someone is. We care if they can do the job and if they have your back. That’s what matters.”
He added that trans service members, whether visible or not, are always part of the military. “The people you deploy, the people who give you your gear, the people who provide your healthcare, they may be transgender, and you may never know that. Our service speaks for itself.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with additional reports.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
