Pentagon Ends Ban on Transgender Troops Serving in Military

One of the last bans that existed in the requirements for serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Friday the Pentagon announced any transgender persons can openly serve in the branches of the military, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

These persons, say Pentagon officials, should be judged on the qualifications they have to fulfill their responsibilities, not their sexual orientation.

Despite concerns and cautions from leaders that the military is moving too fast on this, Defense Secretary Ash Carter says they're proceeding full speed. The changes are expected to be phased in over a year, but starting October 1st, transgender service people will be able to receive medical care and officially change their status in the Pentagon's military personnel  tracking system.