Navy to start training on new transgender policy by Nov 1st

The US Navy recently published an all-Navy message, stating that the Navy will begin its training on the new transgender policy on November 1st. All training must be complete by July 2017. According to Military.com,

In an all-Navy message published Tuesday, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke said a three-pronged training approach will equip senior leaders and rank-and-file personnel for the changes.

“This training will emphasize policies and expectations of personal behavior,” the message states.

Beginning Nov. 1, mobile training teams composed of Navy fleet representatives and subject matter expects will be dispatched to deliver face-to-face briefs to senior leaders, including commanding officers, executive officers, command master chiefs, and chiefs of boat.

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These sessions will also be open to equal opportunity advisers, ombudsmen and other command-designated representatives who will have a role in training the tenant commands on policies governing transgender troops.

The ultimate goal is to ensure all service members are not harassed and treated with respect. The National Center for Transgender Equality estimates “over 134,000 American veterans are transgender, and over 15,000 trans people are serving in military today.” It will be interesting to see how the military incorporates transgender service members without drawing unwanted attention or isolating them unintentionally.

Editorial cartoon courtesy of Robert L. Lang