(Newswire.net — July 1, 2016) —The United States Secretary of Defense, Ashton Baldwin Carter, announced the decision by the Department of Defense to lift the ban against transgender men and women serving openly in the US military, ending a fierce one-year debate on the issue, and removing one of the last barriers to military service to any individual.
Carter explained that the most question should be the cadidates qualifications and be whether they are willing and able to do their jobs, not personal identity. He added that there should not be any other barriers to serving in the US military except qualifications, reported the Associated Press.
The Secretary of Defense had earlier said that the current rules on the service of transgender people in the US military have become obsolete and cause uncertainty that distracts commanders from core missions.
According to the AP, Carter released the decision about transgender people despite some concerns from senior military commanders that the Pentagon is moving too quickly with the changes.#, and that they need more time to implement them.
It also drew some criticism from Republicans and conservatives, including Mac Thornberry, Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, who charged the White House with prioritizing politics over policy, reports CNN.
Each branch of the military will have one year to implement the changes, which would be related to recruitment, clothing and accommodation, reports the Voice of America.
The armed services have until October 1st to create medical and training plans and until July 1st 2017 to implement them.
Transgender people can no longer be discharged from the army for being transgender, as previously possible. According to Reuters, there is approximately 15,000 transgender people serving in the US military.
In 2011, the US military ended the ban on allowing openly gay troops to serve. The previous policy had been “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
On Monday, the US military held a ceremony for the new Secretary, Eric Fanning, the first openly gay person to lead a U.S. military service branch.