USA 
United Kingdom
The US Air Force is denying early retirement to transgender service members with 15-18 years of service, forcing them out without retirement benefits, according to a memo seen by Reuters.
These longer-serving members will face the same choice as junior personnel to quit or be forced out, with lump-sum payments as they leave, the memo states.
The decision is the latest step in Donald Trump’s administration’s efforts to bar transgender people from joining the US military and remove those currently serving. The Pentagon has said transgender people are medically unfit, a claim civil rights advocates say is false and discriminatory.
“After careful consideration of the individual applications, I am disapproving all Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) exception to policy requests in tabs 1 and 2 for members with 15 to 18 years of service,” the memo said.
It was signed by Brian Scarlett, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs.
Approvals rescinded
Advocates said multiple service members had already been approved for early retirement, but those approvals were rescinded. An Air Force spokesperson said a subset of applications were “prematurely approved.”
“It’s devastating,” said Shannon Minter of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights. “This is just betrayal of a direct commitment made to these service members.”
The decision follows a May 23 memo stating members with 15-18 years of service could request early retirement. When asked by Reuters, the Air Force said it had approved early retirement for more senior members who self-identified as transgender and had 18-20 years of service.
Voluntary separation pay offered
In a statement to The Guardian, an Air Force spokesperson said: “Although service members with 15-18 years of honorable service were permitted to apply for an exception to policy, none of the exceptions to policy were approved.
“In lieu of TERA, members are eligible for voluntary separation, with eligibility for voluntary separation pay at twice the amount of involuntary separation pay. Service members will not have to repay any bonuses received prior to 15 May 2025.”
The spokesperson said approximately a dozen service members in the 15-18 year range were “prematurely notified” that their applications had been approved, but a higher-level review was required under Department of Defense gender dysphoria policy.
In an internal Q&A document seen by Reuters, the Air Force offered possible responses for service members explaining the loss of retirement benefits to their families:
“Focus on the benefits you do retain (GI Bill, VA benefits, experience)”
“Emphasize this doesn’t reflect on your service or character”
“Military & Family Readiness can provide counseling resources”
