DOD Watch Statement on Pentagon Ending Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Troops

WASHINGTON – DOD Watch, a group dedicated to calling out radical policies within the Department of Defense, issued the following statement in support of the Pentagon’s decision to halt gender-affirming medical care for transgender service members: 

“DOD Watch fully supports the Pentagon’s directive to end taxpayer-funded gender-transition procedures and begin restoring a military culture centered on mission readiness, not identity politics. For years, American taxpayers have been forced to foot the bill for gender-affirming treatments that often sideline service members for months, and in many cases, up to a year, as they undergo surgeries, hormone treatments, and extended recovery periods.  

“Even after so-called recovery, these individuals require indefinite hormone therapy, psychological support, and frequent medical monitoring, all at taxpayer expense and at the cost of military readiness. This is not only a misuse of public funds. It’s a dangerous distraction from the military’s core purpose: to fight and win wars. The burden placed on military medical systems, unit cohesion, and operational capacity is unacceptable.  

“Recent estimates show that the cost of gender-affirming care in the military far exceeds that of routine care for non-transitioning service members. Over a recent five-year period, $15 million was spent on just under 1,900 transgender troops, which averages just over $7,900 per taxpayer. This is money that the Trump administration now saved for the American taxpayer.

“We commend President Trump and Secretary Hegseth for making difficult but necessary decisions to eliminate politically-driven policies and focus on building a force defined by strength, unity, and readiness.”

About DOD Watch: The DOD Watch is dedicated to examining and informing the public about wokeness in the Department of Defense. By increasing public awareness of radical, woke policies and practices infiltrating the Pentagon, DOD Watch aims to return the Department of Defense to its mission of ensuring our nation’s security through traditional values of strength and excellence. Our armed forces should remain focused on safeguarding national security through the traditional values of strength, excellence, and unity. 

​By increasing public awareness of radical, woke policies and practices infiltrating the U.S. Armed Forces, DOD Watch aims to return the U.S. military to its mission of ensuring our nation’s security through traditional values of strength and excellence.

Read more about DOD Watch here.