For many, it is a wrenching decision to end a career they love, and leave units they have led or worked with for years. And they are angry they are being forced out by the Trump administration’s renewed ban on transgender troops.

Active duty service members had until Friday to identify themselves and begin to leave the military voluntarily, while the National Guard and Reserve have until July 7. Then the military will begin involuntary separations.

Friday’s deadline comes during Pride Month and as the Trump administration targets diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, saying it’s aiming to scrub the military of “wokeness” and reestablishing a “warrior ethos.”

“They’re tired of the rollercoaster. They just want to go,” said one transgender service member, who plans to retire. ”It’s exhausting.”

  • TomMasz
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    341 month ago

    It doesn’t really seem like they have a choice, does it?

    • @UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Same choice minorities have always enjoyed.

      Lay low and do your grisly work at the spear point of imperialism hoping you won’t be pushed out in front of it.

      Or drop off the last US ladder out of poverty and consign yourself to a service sector that’ll leech you dry before you turn 50.

    • @sness@sh.itjust.works
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      129 days ago

      Get out now, potentially collect early retirement. Or wait until they kick you out, come back with full back pay if someone remotely sane becomes president later. Either choice is a bit of a gamble unless you were planning to separate soon anyway.

  • NoneOfUrBusiness
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    201 month ago

    it is a wrenching decision to end a career they love,

    Uh… If anyone loves their career bombing brown people in the Middle East and protecting genocide, I think they might be a piece of shit.

    • kate
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      131 month ago

      They pay a living wage and will hire the dumbest people you know? 🤷‍♀️ I wouldn’t choose to work there but I can see how some people feel pressured into it

      • @Case@lemmynsfw.com
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        111 month ago

        I felt pressured into it.

        I was 19, and struggling.

        No branch would take me, despite having a nearly perfect ASVAB score. Missed one question, and its because I never had access to fucking diesel engines growing up.

        I’m epileptic.

        So, after multiple attempts, I don’t qualify as “disabled” enough to receive benefits, but I can’t even sign my flesh away for an hourly rate like the dregs of society to die in some foreign shit-hole.

        I’ll just die in my local shit-hole, thanks.

        • kate
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          31 month ago

          sry to hear that :( hope things get better for you