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human
CMV: Transgender individuals should not be allowed to join the military if the have had transition surgery or will seek transition surgery

Veteran here, and I believe that transgender individuals  who have had or will request transition surgery should not be allowed to join the military for the following reasons:

1. Transition surgery is entirely elective. The military is not a healthcare provider and should not be a means to get elective surgery. 

2. Getting medical care after transition surgery requires ongoing dosage of hormones. Going without this medication can cause serious side-effects including brittle bones. 
2a. Making sure the proper medication arrives to the right person places undue burden upon the logistical supply chain, especially under wartime conditions. I would rather have food, fuel, ammo, and personnel on transports rather than hormone medication.
2b. Assuming the supply chain COULD handle this additional burden, making sure the right medication gets to the right place assumes each  Pvt Schmuckatelli at every supply facility properly fills out the forms. Simply misreading or miswriting a form can cause the end requester to get the wrong items. 
2c. Not getting these medications can force the unit to medevac a Sevicemember and go without their expertise/skills. In a situation where every person counts, this can have dire consequences. 

3. Military treatment is already unreliable and difficult to obtain for those that NEED it. Why would we place additional strain on that when it's not necessary. 

4. We already exclude many others for reasons such as food allergies or other medical conditions (diabetes, asthma, etc. )

5. The cost is likely underestimated, as many trans would likely join if the military announced that it will pay for transition surgery. The numbers of LGB service members increase far more than expected after the repeal of DADT and I don't believe the trans community will be different. 

6. The viagra expenditure comparison is a false comparison for the following reason:
a. Those who receive viagra have seen a medical doctor and have been prescribed the medication for a medical condition.  They need it for intimacy but it's not a 24/7 thing. 
b. Going down this path means we should lump in birth control expenditure as well. 

7. The argument that the military is big enough to leave transition service members stateside is an argument against itself. If the service member stays stateside for post operative care, then what benefit are they providing their unit or the military. The military shouldn't be large enough to take in people just to leave them behind. 


I'm not opposed to anyone in the LGBTQ+ community serving as long as it doesn't put the lives of others at risk or cause unnecessary cost/burden. 

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Update: I've been persuaded that transition surgery isn't elective just like viagra isn't elective. 

THAT BEING SAID, I still don't agree that the military should shoulder those costs or be responsible for the surgery for the following additional reasons:

1. The military doesn't allow people with other medical conditions in. Why don't we allow deaf with cochlear implants or hearing aids? There are a myriad of examples where otherwise well-qualified candidates are turned away 
2. The military's primary function isn't (or at least shouldn't be) health care. If you become ill, yes you should be treated. However, you shouldn't join just to treatment.  "I've got cancer, I'll just join the military for them to take care of me"?
3. What if something happens during the transition surgery, does the VA now have to provide lifetime treatment and disability pay?
gpt
>The military is not a healthcare provider and should not be a means to get elective surgery.

Well this is factually inaccurate. The military *is* a healthcare provider, it provides healthcare. What's more, healthcare is *actively used* by recruiters as an incentive to join. "You don't have healthcare? Can't afford college? Join the military." Regardless of whether you think that is right (I would agree with you that it is not right), that is how it is.