From Sarah Czech – Vice-Chair of the Forward Veteran and Veteran Families Committee, Marine Corps Sergeant E-5
I lack words to express how discouraging, upsetting, and crushing the last few weeks have been as a veteran. Our entire military, veteran, and federal service community (45% of which are veterans) has been upended and destabilized by the recent decisions of the current Administration, and it’s important that I speak out against these changes.
On one front, despite ongoing litigation and losses in court, transgender service members are now being removed from the military altogether, a step further from the Executive Order (EO) that barred transgender people from enlisting. I have served alongside a diverse array of individuals, transgender people included, and can say from experience that gender is not an indication of patriotism or fitness to serve, the way that neither skin color nor ethnic background signify one’s inner commitment to their country.
During litigation on this EO, studies carried out and submitted by the DoD indicate that transgender individuals are not uniquely or universally unable to meet the requirements for service. The current Administration has argued strongly against what they call DEI hiring, instead arguing that the most capable individuals, no matter their background, should serve in key positions. It’s important that they follow through with that and the results of their own studies to treat all servicemembers, including those who are transgender, as individuals, and analyze their ability to serve this country on that basis.
On another front, those who are still serving are losing important protections. The same EO designed to end DEI initiatives also had the effect of pausing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs throughout the military, with no clarity on when they will resume.
I served as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response victim advocate while in the Marine Corps, and I know how incredibly important the training program is for units and for victims so that they can receive access to resources.
Of the service members who reported unwanted sexual contact in 2023, roughly 84% were women, despite the women still making up less than 20% of active duty forces.
Pausing this program and its training is unacceptable, and based on my experience serving as a victim advocate, I feel comfortable saying will have drastic consequences.
Now is not the time to be removing critical programs and protections from our most dedicated patriots and targeting service members because of things that the DoD’s own analyses have shown don’t indicate an inability to serve.
Service members and federal civil servants take an oath to support and defend this country and uphold its Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. It’s time for the American people to stand up to support and defend these people who have already sacrificed so much for this country.
*Forward Voices is a series where we highlight the opinions of members of the Forward Community. While we ensure our authors and their arguments align with Forward’s values, the views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily the organization as a whole. Forward is a place where people are free to share their opinions to have open and fearless dialogue.
