Readiness Over Wokeness Act Mandates Discharge for Service Members with Gender Dysphoria History

The aptly named “Readiness Over Wokeness Act” is short, but its impact on military personnel is massive and immediate. This bill rewrites the rules for who gets to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, effectively banning anyone with a history of gender dysphoria or gender-affirming care from joining or staying in the service.

The New Exclusion Zone

Section 2 of the bill creates a new prohibition on military service based on medical history. Specifically, it bars anyone who currently has, has had in the past, or even shows symptoms matching a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from being a member of the Armed Forces. It also explicitly excludes individuals who have received gender-affirming care, which the bill defines as hormone therapy (cross-sex hormones) or any surgery related to transitioning or treating gender dysphoria. Think of it this way: if you’ve ever had a diagnosis or treatment related to gender transition, your military career is either over or can’t start.

Mandatory Discharge and the Career Cliff

For current service members, this isn't a suggestion; it's a mandate. If a service member falls under this new exclusion rule, the Secretary of their respective military branch must administratively discharge them. This means personnel who have served for years, perhaps deployed multiple times or nearing retirement, would face mandatory separation based entirely on their medical history, regardless of their performance or readiness rating. Imagine being a high-performing E-7 or Captain, only to be told your career is ending because of a past medical diagnosis.

The Security Clearance Catch

The bill also adds a significant requirement for those who are discharged under this rule and previously held access to classified information. The Secretary of Defense must re-investigate and re-evaluate their eligibility for that access. If the discharged person doesn't have a job requiring a clearance after leaving, or if they refuse to participate in the re-investigation, the Secretary must revoke their eligibility. This provision could effectively strip a veteran of their ability to pursue high-paying defense contractor or government jobs after their military service ends, creating a major hurdle in their post-military career.

A Small Financial Buffer

There is one small financial protection built into the bill. If a service member is discharged solely because of this new rule, they will not be required to pay back any educational benefits they received (like the GI Bill) or complete any remaining service obligation. This provision acts as a financial shield for those who are forced out, ensuring they don't incur massive debt simply because the rules of engagement changed mid-career. However, this small benefit doesn't mitigate the loss of their career, pension trajectory, or the potential hit to their future employment prospects due to the security clearance re-evaluation.