>>936001127In the United States, transgender people are not automatically exempt from the military draft. While transgender individuals are allowed to serve openly in the military, they are still required to register with the Selective Service if they meet the general criteria for registration (typically, being male at birth and between the ages of 18 and 25).
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Selective Service Registration:
The Selective Service System requires most male U.S. citizens and male immigrants residing in the U.S. to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. This requirement includes transgender men who were assigned male at birth.
Transgender Individuals in the Military:
In 2021, the Department of Defense lifted the ban on transgender people serving openly in the military. This means that transgender individuals who are otherwise qualified can enlist and serve, regardless of their gender identity.
Potential for Exemption:
While transgender people are not exempt from registration, certain medical conditions, including some that may be associated with gender transition, could be grounds for exemption from service if they render someone unfit for duty.
Current Policy:
The current policy allows transgender individuals to serve openly, but there have been periods where publicly funded gender-affirming surgeries were paused.
Draft is not in effect:
There is currently no draft in the U.S. and the Selective Service is only used for registration purposes.
In summary, transgender people are not exempt from registering with the Selective Service, but they are also not excluded from military service. If a draft were to be reinstated, transgender individuals would be subject to the same rules and potential exemptions as cisgender individuals.