Promoted Sailor Benjamin Kibler felt immense pride when he was chosen for the highly competitive role of Limited Duty Officer—a category the U.S. Navy describes as consisting of “valuable individuals” who rank among the “most fully qualified” personnel in the service.
Promoted But within just two days, everything unraveled.
Promoted The directive announced that military personnel diagnosed with gender dysphoria would be discharged.
The Trump administration has argued that transgender service members’ “false ‘gender identity’” contradicts military standards of integrity and claimed their presence undermines the armed forces’ lethality, readiness, and cohesion. However, many transgender service members reject this characterization, pointing to their years of dedicated service and deployments worldwide.
Although the policy faces ongoing legal challenges, the Supreme Court has permitted the Trump administration to begin enforcing the ban while appeals continue.
After the June 6 deadline, the Defense Department plans to begin involuntarily discharging anyone with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria—the psychological distress caused when a person’s gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
To encourage voluntary separations, the Defense Department has offered enhanced separation payouts. In contrast, those who are involuntarily dismissed will receive significantly smaller payouts and may be required to repay bonuses.
A Pentagon official confirmed that the guidelines outlined in the Army memo align with the broader Pentagon instructions applicable across all branches.
The separation process could take months, and many say they are struggling to find new jobs while grieving years of service and trying to rebuild lives once centered around the military.
Legal Battle Continues
The transgender service ban is taking effect even as multiple legal challenges unfold in federal courts.
In a split decision, the Supreme Court permitted enforcement of the ban while lower courts continue reviewing its legality.
However, Solicitor General John Sauer argued before the Supreme Court justices that Judge Settle had overstepped his authority by interfering with military policy decisions.
‘A Personal Attack on Our Dignity’
As transgender service members begin to be dismissed, they can access military support programs aimed at helping personnel transition to civilian life and find new employment.
Colyer is exploring whether he might qualify for a medical discharge instead of voluntary separation, citing injuries sustained during deployment.
“It’s been incredibly tough. But we’re resilient—military life has taught me how to face adversity, and I try to pass that resilience on to my family,” Demetrides said. “They each cope with deployments in their own way.”
Their nine-year-old daughter, proud to be a military child, loves attending air shows and sharing stories about the family’s deployment to Korea. Still, she’s been struggling to come to terms with their new circumstances.
“I remind her that this is part of her life, and even if we can’t continue serving, no one can take away what we’ve contributed as a family. That mission will always be a part of who we are,” Demetrides said.