The U.S. Army will update personnel records to reflect transgender soldiers’ biological sex, according to a newly leaked internal memo. The 14-page directive outlines President Donald Trump’s broader policy to phase out transgender service members following a Supreme Court ruling upholding the Pentagon’s authority to enforce such measures.
Commanders are ordered to take immediate steps to revise official documents and administrative systems. “Commanders will take immediate measures to update personnel records and administrative systems to reflect biological sex for all individuals,” the memo states, aligning with the Pentagon’s view that sex is “unchanging during a person’s life.”
The directive also mandates pronoun use and access to facilities based strictly on biological sex. Salutations such as “sir” or “ma’am” must correspond with the service member’s sex at birth, and intimate spaces like showers and restrooms will be designated accordingly.
The policy follows earlier reports that transgender troops not voluntarily exiting service by June 6 may face removal. Additionally, gender-affirming health care for active-duty transgender troops will be halted, further reflecting the administration’s reversal of Biden-era policies.
Approximately 4,240 active-duty and National Guard troops identify as transgender, though some advocates suggest the actual number is higher. Critics, including LGBTQ legal groups, argue the policy is harmful and undermines military readiness. Jennifer Levi of GLAD Law labeled the orders “vindictive and aggressive.”
President Trump’s executive order, issued in January, marked a sweeping rollback of transgender accommodations in the military. Though public support for openly transgender service members remains above 50%, recent polling indicates that support has declined since 2019.
The Army has not officially commented on the memo, but the policy represents a clear shift toward reestablishing traditional standards in the armed forces under Trump’s leadership.
