"The U.S. government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military."
Those words tweeted by President Donald Trump early Wednesday morning.
Military analyst "Rand Corp" estimates there are as many as 15,000 transgender people serving in the active-duty military, the National Guard and the reserves.
Transgender people have only been allowed to serve openly for about a year.
Kyle Brown proudly served in the U.S. military a little over four years as transgender man.
He's also a member of Transgender Michigan.
Opening his Twitter feed Wednesday morning, Brown was shocked to see the President's tweets.
“I'm defiantly irritated by it,” said Brown. “It’s like going back to a more dangerous version of don't ask don't tell.”
Brown says it's a move that has many military men and women in the LGBT community considering leaving the service.
“I know these people and they're dedicated hard working people,” said Brown. “It's a family tradition for quite a few of them and it means a lot and to not be able to finish their career or even start their career is hurting a lot of people.”
The president's tweets were a topic of conversation at the V.F.W. post 701 in Lansing.
We spoke with many veterans Wednesday, some who supported the president's move that did not want to go on camera.
Other veterans had a different opinion.
“If they can serve and do their job there shouldn't be any qualms that the president has,” said John Fejszes, who served in the late 1960’s. “He’s not in the military, he’s a commander in chief but he’s not really in the military, and he never served so I don't think he should have an opinion on it.”
Brown is now undeployable due to an injury while training however he still remains optimistic.
Optimistic for the future of LGBTQ men and women and transgenders serving in the military.
“Good and bad I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything,” said Brown. “Regardless of the president’s tweet, if I was able to go back I would.”
The "Rand Corp" study says caring for Trans service members adds more than $8 million dollars to the pentagon's total medical costs.
That's about one-tenth of the military health care budget.
Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee is speaking out against President Donald Trump’s transgender ban.
In a statement he says anyone who puts on the uniform and risks their life for our country should be celebrated, regardless of their gender identity.
Equality Michigan Executive Director, Stephanie White, released a statement to News 10 :
"President Trump's call for banning transgender people from military service is a shameful attack on our nation's military. If this impetuous Twitter policy is enforced, commanders will lose valuable troops, soldiers will lose trusted crew members, and America will lose some of our fierce guardians. Equality Michigan has the resources and staff available to assist any transgender service members in Michigan who may become victims of harassment or discrimination because of this ill-advised statement. We will continue to fight for full equality under the law for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."
