Possible modifications to military personnel policies under President Trump's administration
Potentially Contentious Policies Under Review in the Military
When the President-elect Donald J. Trump assumes office in January, he might swiftly shift military policies on abortion and transgender service, while efforts to enhance military pay and quality of life are likely to persist, according to a top national security expert.
Abortion Policies
The Defense Department's policy of providing paid leave and covering travel expenses for troops seeking out-of-state abortions and other reproductive care like in vitro fertilization was implemented in 2022 in response to the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Abortion bans and restrictions in several states, including those with major military bases, were the result. However, troops do not pay for the healthcare service itself under this policy.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III argued that the revocation of Roe v. Wade would negatively impact readiness, recruitment, and retention, as many service members wanting to start a family might face challenges. But the policy is bound by Section 1093 of Title 10 of US Code, which only permits abortions on military bases in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is at risk, as well as the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from paying for abortions.
Initially only a DOD pronouncement, the policy lacked legal backing and required an act of Congress for cementation. But with heated political debates surrounding the issue, the policy's permanence remains questionable.
In November, some states, such as Missouri and Arizona, lifted abortion bans, while others, like South Dakota, Florida, and Nebraska, which host Air Force bases, still have restrictions in place. Despite the policy's controversy, the Pentagon reported that troops have taken advantage of it just 12 times between June and December 2023, at a cost of approximately $45,000.
Access to reproductive care is seen as crucial by experts like Tony Johnson, president and CEO of the Truman National Security Project, claiming it impacts readiness. On the other hand, others believe service members would rather be stationed in states with less restrictive reproductive care policies.
Transgender Troops
The policy that will probably change during Trump's second term concerns the service of transgender individuals in uniform. Once the ban on transgender service was lifted in 2016 by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, it was reinstated by Trump in 2017. With legislative debates regarding gender-affirming care for transgender veterans underway, Trump announced a ban on all transgender service members, intensifying the debate on the Republican side. The ban was lifted under Biden in 2021, but Trump has consistently opposed transgender troops serving openly throughout his reelection campaign, raising the likelihood of another ban or significant modifications.
During this period, the Pentagon spent $15 million on transgender troops' healthcare, covering $11.5 million for psychotherapy and $3.1 million for surgeries. The annual cost represents just 0.04-0.13 percent of the more than $6 billion the military spends on health care for active-duty troops.
While the number of transgender troops currently serving can vary based on estimates by the military and research institutes, the reality is that a small fraction of the approximately two million people in uniform identify as transgender, advocates argue.
Other Policy Changes
Earlier in 2023, the House Armed Services Committee published a report focusing on enhancing quality of life for service members, addressing food insecurity, housing, and medical care concerns. The proposals were incorporated into the House version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. However, President Biden's administration opposed the 15 percent pay raise for junior enlisted troops, which Congress estimates would cost $24 billion over five years. The administration wanted the Pentagon to complete its quadrennial review of compensation before deciding on the raise.
The political climate indicates that support for improving military pay and quality of life is bipartisan, and it becomes crucial for both administrations and Congresses to care about the welfare of military families.
Another contentious issue is establishing a Space National Guard. Although the Department of the Air Force and the Biden administration oppose the move, Trump and some lawmakers support it. National Guard leaders see no need for a separate Space Guard, arguing that Air National Guard units currently executing space missions would be sufficient. The implementation of a separate law that creates options for Guardians to serve in part-time or full-time capacity is currently underway, and it remains to be seen if the Space Force will incorporate a Space National Guard along with or as an alternative to the current part-time/full-time force.
- The Defense Department's policy regarding reproductive care such as abortions and in vitro fertilization for troops, instituted in 2022, is subject to political debates due to its contentious nature and lack of legal backing.
- In the realm of military policies, the service of transgender individuals in uniform is another contentious issue, with the possibility of a ban or significant modifications under consideration during Trump's second term.
- Recently, proposals have been made to enhance the quality of life for service members, addressing concerns related to food insecurity, housing, and medical care. These proposals are incorporated into the House version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.
- A proposed policy change involves the establishment of a Space National Guard, a move that is supported by Trump and certain lawmakers, despite opposition from the Department of the Air Force and the Biden administration.
- In relation to policy and legislation, discussions on gender-affirming care for transgender veterans are underway, adding to the ongoing debates about transgender service in the military.
- The Pentagon spent $15 million on transgender troops' healthcare in a year, a relatively small portion of the over $6 billion the military spends on health care for active-duty troops annually. This expenditure covers psychotherapy and surgeries for transgender service members.
