US: Top Military Leaders Say There Are No Current Changes For Transgender Service Members

Leaders of several branches of the military have said that transgender service members will continue to serve and receive health care until further notice, according to memos sent out by leadership on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joseph Dunford, said in a letter on Thursday that there will be no changes for transgender personnel until the president sends further guidance, adding, "We will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect."

Letters from Army and Navy leaders echoed that message that all service members should "be treated with dignity and respect."

"There will be no modifications to the current policy until the President's direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance," Dunford's letter, obtained by BuzzFeed News, says.

The Department of Defense referred BuzzFeed News to the White House for further comment. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the letters.  Read more via Buzzfeed