Category: GI Rights and Counseling
Trump issues policy instruction for ban on transgender troops
In the past few days, several developments have occurred in the ongoing story of President’s Trump’s reinstatement of the ban on transgender troops serving openly. Our August 1 post noted that there were as yet no official changes to the accepting policy enacted by…Read More »
New guidance on discharge upgrade applications related to mental health, TBI, sexual assault and sexual harassment
The Department of Defense has issued a new guidance on discharge upgrade applications based on mental health conditions, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. In the past few years, the department has issued guidance for consideration of post-traumatic stress disorder…Read More »
Hazing and Bullying in the Military
Bullying and hazing are extremely serious problems in the military, but DoD and service regulations provide important protections for victims. In recent years, considerable public attention has focused on hazing and bullying within the military, particularly in the Marine Corps. Media and Congressional…Read More »
Military Transgender Policy
Print version (PDF) By Kathy Gilberd Note 1/25/19: Please see our update on this policy following the Supreme Court decision. Note 11/30/18: This memo will be updated soon. Updated: July 2017 Editor’s note, July 30, 2017: On July 26th, President Trump tweeted his…Read More »
New Air Force CO Instruction
by Bill Galvin In April the Air Force issued a new conscientious objector Instruction (AFI 36-3204). While the Summary of Changes states, “This publication has been substantially revised and requires a complete review,” and there are some changes of significance, the overwhelming…Read More »
2017 National Defense Authorization Act Personnel Provisions
On December 23, 2016, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017. Although the Act deals primarily with funds and authorizations for the military’s bloated budget, it always contains policies affecting military personnel and veterans.