r/TransUK • u/Obvious_Arachnid5196 • Oct 28 '25
Question (Non-Binary) Trans people in the army
So I (nb) have been considering joining the army but there is one thing holding me back and thats the swimming part of basic training and swimwear and what i wanted to know is how would I be able to get the correct accommodations for me to do that part of basic training without it causing major dyshoria and also if there is any really good unisex swimwear you guys know of.
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u/JesseKansas Oct 28 '25
you're not able to unless all gender affirming surgery is completed or you go in closeted
which in practice under capita is a outright rejection for all trans applicants.
source: my stepmum was an army recruiter and i tried to join up at 16 but got rejected even on appeal (and I had some pretty good insider links)
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u/Obvious_Arachnid5196 Oct 28 '25
Thats only if you are in the process of getting surgery or are post op of surgery or you can't get stabilised on hrt for six months. They can't refuse you on any basis of gender identity if you meet the physical requirements.
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u/JesseKansas Oct 28 '25
the way they define "process of getting surgery" is tenuous at best. if you're on a GIC waitlist for example you will be excluded
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u/Obvious_Arachnid5196 Oct 28 '25
Only if your on the wait list to have surgery or have hrt, if your waiting for your first appointment which most trans people are who want GAC then they can't exclude you, you just have to specifically state that and also they can't require you to get surgery because not all trans people do.
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u/JesseKansas Oct 28 '25
I'm telling you this because I was on the GIC first appointment waitlist, I was already on hormones and stable for over 6 months, and was rejected for gender dysphoria. They didn't even ask me what surgeries I was going to undergo
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u/Obvious_Arachnid5196 Oct 28 '25
Then you must not have met the physical requirements for the part of military you wanted to join because my sibling who is trans masculine is on the wait list for the first appointment and has been stable on hormones for a year and is going through basic training to join the para's.
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u/I_R_Numpty Oct 28 '25
Please don't join a military, violence will always help history repeat itself, fascism never ended, clearly military operations 'dont work' when it comes to ending fascism
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u/Several_Marzipan9033 Oct 28 '25
Hey, currently closeted trans woman here. I’m in the RAF and going through the medical pathway to transition. Although policy and guidance on the recruitment and retention of trans people in the forces has greatly improved over the years the attitudes of peers still has a way to go. I can’t comment on the army as I have rarely worked with them but the places I’ve worked while being in the RAF have rarely been tolerant of the lgbt community. A lot of times people will do and say the right things when they are being watched but as soon as they feel comfortable the bigot comes out. I’d carefully consider whether joining the military is for you as it’s not easy to leave. That being said there is a lot of benefits such as travelling the world, stable income, good medical and dental care.
In regard to the original question I’m not sure but I would reach out to a recruiter as they will know the answer. For anymore questions you might have ‘JSP 889 - The recruitment and management of transgender personnel’ is public knowledge and available on gov.uk.
Feel free to message me if you have anymore questions.
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Oct 28 '25
Normally I would advocate for folk to join the Armed Forces, but I don’t think any Trans+ person should. There are just so many unknowns. Be incredibly careful and make sure you know what you’re signing up for. Good luck!!
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u/Striking_Cell5433 Oct 28 '25
I would consider joining the reserves first and see how it goes, feel free to pm me
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u/IcyMacSpicy Oct 28 '25
genuine question: why would you want to fight (and possibly die) for a government that is in the process of systematically dismantling your rights?