Who Can Serve

  It's been a long week but I'm happy to say we are the proud owners of a new laptop! I refuse to write on the iPad, which I use for everything else in life. I just don't like the look of the finished blog on there. Crazy or not there it is.

  I've been waiting for the kids to get the newness out of their system so I could actually get my hands on this light up keyboard. Which is why I'm typing at 7:30 in the morning while drinking my first coffee of the day. Here goes....

  Transgender people can not serve in the U.S. military in any capacity. WTH??? How can a person, who has never served in the military make the decision as to who is "fit" to serve their country? Then say it's because of medical costs? Especially when the Department of Defense was in the process of deciding whether they should pay for gender reassignment surgery or not. As that is the only "extra" cost, healthcare wise, to serving. 

  Unlike other countries, serving in the U.S. military is voluntary. When you think about how long they have been in Iraq and Afghanistan it's amazing anyone wants to join. Especially with no end in sight. Why would you limit those brave souls who want to?

  People have been bringing up the millions of dollars the military spends on Viagra each year. Let's put that topic to bed right now...an intentional pun for a not funny topic. Many soldiers dealing with PTSD are prescribed this drug for their overall health, mental, physical and sexual health, and it should not be used as an example of the military wasting funds. 

  The part of this story that got little or no coverage is the response from the DOD. That is what everyone should be talking about. They said no. We are not discriminating against men and women who want to join. If someone meets the set out qualifications then they are accepted and that isn't going to change.

  Is it going to be easy for every transgender person in the armed forces? No chance. Because it's not easy for anyone. The training is hard. The work is hard. And the expectations are high. For everyone. Are they going to come up against bigotry, hate and ridicule? Sadly yes. 

  But I'd be willing to bet money that when lives are on the line, as long as you can protect each others backs, soldiers won't care.

  Ang