April 5, 2019
On March 12, 2019 the Department of Defense issued the Directive-type Memorandum (DTM)-19-004 - Military Service by Transgender Persons and Persons with Gender Dysphoria. The President of the Society for Military Psychology (Division 19, American Psychological Association, APA), commissioned a review of the memorandum. The transgender policy directed by this memorandum was reviewed by the Society of Military Psychology Diversity Committee in conjunction with other members of the Society familiar with behavioral health areas and readiness concerns. The Society's Presidential Trio reviewed of this group’s findings and the memorandum, the Society’s previous statement, issued on July 28, 2017, has been reissued on April 5, 2019.
Respectfully,
Stephen Bowles, PhD
DIV19 President
Mark Staal, PhD
DIV19 Past-President
Eric Surface, PhD
DIV19 President-Elect
Wyatt Evans, PhD
Chair, Diversity Committee
Respectfully,
Stephen Bowles, PhD
DIV19 President
Mark Staal, PhD
DIV19 Past-President
Eric Surface, PhD
DIV19 President-Elect
Wyatt Evans, PhD
Chair, Diversity Committee
July 28, 2017
Esteemed colleagues,
Several days ago, President Trump issued a statement indicating that transgender individuals would no longer be allowed to serve in the U.S military, reversing a 2016 decision that allowed this group to serve openly. A study completed by the Rand Corporation provided a mid-range estimate that 2,450 transgender individuals currently serve on active duty, with an additional 1,510 in the reserves. This same study indicated that between 29 and 129 of those serving on active duty would seek out medical treatment for gender transition.
In 2003, the APA Task Force on Sexual Orientation and Military Service was established, composed of members of Divisions 19 and 44, the Society for the Psychological Study of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues. This task force recommended ending the ban, then in place against gays openly serving in the military, with Council quickly passing this recommendation as a resolution Military psychologists within the Department of Defense (DoD) were very influential in the subsequent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” with their research proving critical in informing policy makers. The senior author of the DoD Comprehensive Review Report was joined by several colleagues, all of whom were military psychologists and members of Division 19, in recommending to President Obama that the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military be lifted.
Patriotism and the call to service is not dictated by gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or any of the multitude of demographics used to characterize others. One of the strengths of the military is to be found in its diversity, in the willingness of its members to serve, in the opportunity to work as a team to accomplish a common goal. As a part of that process, bridges are built and barriers are destroyed - as occurred when racial minorities and women were successfully integrated into the military - and we became stronger as a Nation. To prohibit a segment of Americans from service, regardless of the demographic used, serves to diminish us all.
Respectfully,
Sally Harvey, PhD
DIV19 President and CoR Representative
Mark Staal, PhD
DIV19 President-Elect
Ann Landes, PhD
DIV19 Past-President
Several days ago, President Trump issued a statement indicating that transgender individuals would no longer be allowed to serve in the U.S military, reversing a 2016 decision that allowed this group to serve openly. A study completed by the Rand Corporation provided a mid-range estimate that 2,450 transgender individuals currently serve on active duty, with an additional 1,510 in the reserves. This same study indicated that between 29 and 129 of those serving on active duty would seek out medical treatment for gender transition.
In 2003, the APA Task Force on Sexual Orientation and Military Service was established, composed of members of Divisions 19 and 44, the Society for the Psychological Study of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues. This task force recommended ending the ban, then in place against gays openly serving in the military, with Council quickly passing this recommendation as a resolution Military psychologists within the Department of Defense (DoD) were very influential in the subsequent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” with their research proving critical in informing policy makers. The senior author of the DoD Comprehensive Review Report was joined by several colleagues, all of whom were military psychologists and members of Division 19, in recommending to President Obama that the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military be lifted.
Patriotism and the call to service is not dictated by gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or any of the multitude of demographics used to characterize others. One of the strengths of the military is to be found in its diversity, in the willingness of its members to serve, in the opportunity to work as a team to accomplish a common goal. As a part of that process, bridges are built and barriers are destroyed - as occurred when racial minorities and women were successfully integrated into the military - and we became stronger as a Nation. To prohibit a segment of Americans from service, regardless of the demographic used, serves to diminish us all.
Respectfully,
Sally Harvey, PhD
DIV19 President and CoR Representative
Mark Staal, PhD
DIV19 President-Elect
Ann Landes, PhD
DIV19 Past-President
