King, a retired noncommissioned officer and the first openly transgender infantry soldier, discusses her two-decade military service, emphasizing her belief in the military values of service and integrity. Following President Trump's executive order banning transgender individuals from military service, King argues that many opponents of transgender troops lack firsthand experience in combat. She highlights the dedication of transgender service members and stresses that their commitment to their roles is unaffected by gender identity, contesting the rhetoric that undermines their service.
Being trans, Trump writes, conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle. Yet, many transgender troops served valiantly in combat.
The loudest voices against us are often those who have not served alongside us, failing to see the sacrifices and commitment transgender service members demonstrate.
I trained and fought for my country. My being the first openly transgender infantry NCO didn’t make me better, but it didn’t make me less capable.
I didn’t do it for politics, I did it because I believed in the values the military claims to uphold: service, integrity, and leadership.
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