title: Military Considerations in Transsexual Care of the Active Duty Member.
abstract: Retention standards and policies applied to active duty members in the U.S. military who identify as transgender have recently been in evolution. The Secretary of Defense recently released a new directive allowing transgender members to serve openly with the option to transition gender while in active duty, abrogating the old policy disqualifying transgender members from continued service. There is a reasonable expectation that some may pursue medical and surgical options toward gender transition. The clinical pathway for gender transition relies heavily on Mental Health and Endocrinology services. This article highlights the medical aspects of gender transition and how they can affect readiness and the delivery of military health care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, MCH-ZDM-E, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Folaron
authors.affiliation: 559 MDG/SGH, 1760 Nellis Street, Building 5200, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX 78236.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lovasz
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D008297:Male; D005260:Female
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D006728:Hormones; D013739:Testosterone