<
https://www.inquisitr.com/transgender-veterans-sue-air-force-over-denied-retirement-benefits-after-15-18-years-of-service>
"A group of transgender veterans is taking the Air Force to court after being
denied long-promised retirement benefits, a result of the Trump
administration’s policy barring transgender troops from military service.
The lawsuit, filed on November 10, includes more than a dozen plaintiffs, many
of whom served up to 18 years. These veterans now say the Air Force stranded
them after initially agreeing to provide their hard-earned pensions, according
to
USA Today.
Their ordeal began with President Donald Trump’s executive order from earlier
this year, which instructed the Pentagon to expel all transgender service
members. The order led to a significant number of forced exits across military
branches, while many faced abrupt and uncertain futures.
According to Pentagon guidance, those who opted for voluntary resignation would
be eligible for separation pay. However, others could be expelled if identified
via medical record checks, often with minimal warning.
Trans troops forcibly removed in May were told by the Air Force that, after
serving 15 to 18 years, they could apply for early retirement. The plaintiffs
did so, and, in June, received official confirmation of their retirement
status.
Logan Ireland stands at the forefront of the lawsuit. “The military, the Air
Force, is seeing my service as meaningless,” said Ireland, a 37-year-old with
15 years of service. He had made plans to lead a different life as he started
adjusting his finances and applying to new jobs. But then, everything changed.
On August 4, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and
Reserve Affairs Brian Scarlett issued a memo, “After careful consideration, I
am disapproving” of all pending retirement benefit applications from expelled
transgender airmen.
Ireland called this sudden reversal both bewildering and devastating. “I want
to know why,” he said. “Why is my retirement being taken from me?” Despite
being surrounded by a supportive command team, he says top officials still
haven’t explained the decision or answered his questions."
Via Joyce Donahue.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
