Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said Thursday that the Pentagon’s decision to remove transgender service members from active duty is a costly mistake that could undermine readiness and cost the department billions of dollars.
The statement follows a Department of Defense policy announced in August 2024 that requires transgender personnel to transition to civilian status or serve in roles that do not involve direct combat, citing projected medical expenses and unit cohesion concerns, reversing an earlier inclusion policy enacted under the Biden administration.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and LGBTQ advocacy groups argue the policy discriminates against service members based on gender identity and could harm recruitment; Representative Tammy Baldwin said the move “sends a message that service members are valued for who they are, not how they identify,” while the Human Rights Campaign called the decision “unjust and costly to our national security.”
What the Right Is Saying
Republican officials defend the policy as a fiscal responsibility, noting the projected $500 million annual increase in medical costs; Senator Ted Cruz stated the rule “protects the integrity of the armed forces,” and the Heritage Foundation’s policy director argued that the decision aligns with “the need for a merit‑based military.”
What the Numbers Show
The Department of Defense estimated the policy could add $500 million to annual medical expenditures, based on a 2023 analysis of health‑care costs for transgender service members, who number roughly 1,300 according to the Pentagon’s personnel data. A Pew Research Center poll released in 2025 found that 61% of American adults support allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the military.
The Bottom Line
The removal policy is likely to face legal challenges from civil‑rights groups and could affect recruitment if perceived as discriminatory; lawmakers on both sides are expected to introduce legislation either to block or to reinforce the rule, making the coming weeks critical for the future of transgender service members.