Dismissal of transgender US military personnel: 'It's heartbreaking'

The Pentagon has begun removing transgender individuals from the military this month under orders from the Trump administration. Even high-ranking officers with over twenty years of service are not exempt. "This harms our national security," says Colonel Bree Fram, one of the affected officers.

Fram has served her country in the armed forces for over twenty years, including deployments to Iraq. She is one of the highest-ranking openly transgender military personnel. In two weeks, she will be forced to surrender her uniform—against her will.

Fram proudly displays her uniform, which she says represents more than just her career. "This means everything to me. A uniform tells the story of someone's career, and this is who I am." She joined the military after the 9/11 attacks, inspired to fight for the freedoms her grandparents defended in Europe.

An estimated 15,000 transgender individuals serve in the US military, though the Department of Defense refuses to confirm official numbers. The White House has ordered their complete removal, with honorable discharge only for those who come forward within two weeks. The military will also scrutinize medical records to identify undisclosed transgender personnel.

Fram, who transitioned under Obama-era policies, is now facing dismissal under Trump's decrees, which label transgender individuals as unfit due to "medical and mental limitations." She calls these claims outrageous, arguing they undermine national security and dismiss the contributions of transgender service members.

The policy has sparked legal challenges, with the Supreme Court recently allowing its enforcement pending further litigation. Fram expects her dismissal soon but continues to serve until ordered otherwise. "Every day in uniform is a gift," she says.