Pride in Uniform 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🇺🇸

Happy pride to all who serve in uniform!

Commander Emily Shilling stands in front of an EA-18 Growler at Naval Air Station Patuxent River on June 9, 2024. Commander Shilling, who has served in the Navy for almost two decades is a naval aviator with over 60 combat missions under her belt, she is the lead plaintiff suing the administration to overturn the ban. Source: Politico| U.S. Navy

Twenty-eight transgender servicemembers just won a ruling enabling them to continue to serve their country while the case winds its way through the courts.

The administration declared a trans military ban last year due to its claims that transgender servicemembers undermine unit cohesion, despite a lack of evidence.

The 28 are not just fighting for themselves; they have petitioned the court to extend the protection to all trans servicemembers. In 2025, there were 4200+ openly trans servicemembers (0.1 % of the armed services) filling roles including “infantry platoon leaders, pilots, nuclear engineers, doctors, intelligence analysts, police, and other key professionals,” according to the New York Times. Some have separated from the armed forces while others remain in limbo on paid leave.

U.S. Army Maj. Erica Vandal, one of the plaintiffs, describes the military as her “family.” I know she is not alone. I say this based on 20 years serving military Veterans at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The bonds between servicemembers, and all military families for that matter, are very strong. Maj.Vandal and the others are fighting to remain in their units, their “families,” where they belong. Their very removal rips at unit cohesion!

Years ago one of my duties was to supervise clinical staff at a Vet Center which serves combat Veterans with PTSD and readjustment issues. On several occasions I sat in on an older group made up of Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans. One of the Korean War Veterans was a trans woman who transitioned late in life. If you didn’t know better you might assume she would be an outcast, but nothing could be further from the truth. Like every other group member, she had proved herself and earned the trust, respect and, dare I say, love of the group.

Camaraderie is earned. It’s about character and trust and love. It always has been and always will be. No matter how much Hegseth and Trump attempt to undermine unit cohesion.