What’s Lost if the Government Pushes People Like Me Out of the Military

When I walk into a room, the first thing people notice isn’t that I’m transgender. They see the eagle on my chest, the uniform I wear and the responsibility it conveys. The conversation isn’t about my identity — it’s about accomplishing the mission. My identity, while integral to who I am, is not the banner under which I serve — that’s the flag of the United States riding on my shoulder. My identity enhances my ability to lead and connect with others, bringing strength to the military and the nation I am proud to serve.

On Jan. 27, the White House took the first steps to remove me and other transgender service members from the military, despite eight years of us serving openly and honorably.

Transgender service members, like all men and women in uniform, are judged first by the standards we aim to meet and exceed. In uniform, our character and contributions — not our gender identity — are what define us in the eyes of our peers, subordinates and commanders.

That I am transgender is an important part of my story, but it is not why I serve, nor does it define how I lead. When my nation needed me after the Sept. 11 attacks, I answered the call. I deployed to Iraq and Qatar to protect and defend the freedoms we cherish. I now lead with courage, connection, character and commitment, the core values of my Space Force service. When people see me, they see an officer dedicated to her mission, her team and her nation, and one who is developing the next generation of service members.

I came out as transgender the day the military first allowed trans men and women to serve openly, in 2016. When I transitioned, I was leading an Air Force team that took lifesaving counter-drone technology directly from the laboratory to the battlefield. On my first day as my authentic self, my team threw me a party in my office. I served through a reimposition of a transgender ban during the first Trump administration from 2019 to 2021; a policy exception allowed those of us who had already begun the process of transition to continue serving.

Serving authentically was transformative — not just for me, but for the people around me. I became a better leader when I no longer had to expend energy hiding who I was. I forged deeper connections with my team and created an environment where others felt safe to share their challenges and perspectives.