WASHINGTON −Transgender servicememberswho don't voluntarilyleave the militarywill be identified through "medical record reviews," according to a new memo detailing how the Pentagon should enforce its sweeping effort to expel transgender people from the ranks. Transgender servicemembers have until June 6to voluntarily identify themselves and resign, according to a memo signed by Defense SecretaryPete Hegsethon May 8. Commanders will be tasked with exposing those who don't through "individualized medical record reviews." Commanders who are "aware" that members of their unit have "gender dysphoria, a history of gender dysphoria, or symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria" must initiate a review, according to the memo signed by Jules Hurst, the acting undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness. A senior defense official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said directing the medical reviews would be left up to commanders' discretion. The personal health information of soldiers would be shared only with members of the military "with a specific need to know," according to the memo. Servicemembers' personal medical information, while normally protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, can be shared to determine if they are fit for duty. According to the Trump administration ban, a gender dysphoria diagnosis means they are not. Transgender servicemembers who voluntarily leave the military will receive benefits not afforded to those who refuse to identify themselves, according to the official. Of the 4,200 transgender people serving, around 1,000 have voluntarily self-identified, according to the Defense Department. Army veteran Alleria Stanley, a board member of the Transgender American Veterans Association, said booting anyone with a documented diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria – not just people who have openly transitioned – would leave a huge gaps in the military's ranks. "It's going to leave holes in the military that are going to take a long time to fill," she said. Since theSupreme Court ruled May 6that the military-wide ban on transgender people could stand, the Trump administration and Hegseth have put in motion a wide-ranging effort to purge transgender people from the military. The Trump administration hadfiled an emergency appealwith theSupreme Courtafter rulings from a pair of federal judgesput the ban on hold. A group of transgender servicemembers hadchallenged the policy, saying it lacked evidence that they were detrimental to the military. More:VA sparks dismay with new gender affirming care coverage plans PresidentDonald Trumpsigned an executive order days after taking office declaring "adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual's sex" is inconsistent with "a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle." Trump also sought to ban transgender people from the military in his first term – the Supreme Courtallowed the banto partially stand. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trans soliders to be exposed through medical reviews, Pentagon says
