* From a recent San Diego Union-Tribune story entitled, “Stay or go? For some transgender San Diego sailors and Marines, Trump’s ban leaves one option: ‘Come and find me’”…

The policy was enacted by executive order in January, then temporarily blocked by a federal court in March. But in May the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the ban to take effect while legal challenges proceed.

The Trump administration told transgender troops that they could voluntarily leave the service with an honorable discharge and additional separation pay, or wait to be forced to leave, with unclear repercussions.

“Expressing a false ‘gender identity’ divergent from an individual’s sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service,” its order read.

It’s unclear how many transgender people are actively serving. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates there are about 4,240 people with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria — around 0.2% of the 2 million service members. […]

Active duty troops had until June 6 to voluntarily separate, and National Guard and reserve members had until last Monday

* So I reached out to the Illinois National Guard with some questions about the just-passed deadline for the Trump administration’s voluntary separation order to transgender national guard members. The answers were provided by LTC Brad Leighton, the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Director…

Have any trans Illinois National Guard members voluntarily separated before the deadline?

Twelve Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers have submitted voluntary separation packets and will be processed for discharge. None of our Illinois Air National Guard Airmen submitted voluntary separation packets.

Is the ILNG required to forcefully eject trans guard members, or is that a federal role?

The Illinois National Guard is the federally recognized State military force. Under both State and Federal law, all members of the Illinois National Guard must also be members of the Army or Air National Guard of the United States, the primary reserve components of the U.S Army and the U.S. Air Force. As a result, the Illinois National Guard is required to comply with federal law and U.S. military regulations pertaining to who is and who is not eligible to serve in the U.S. military.

Have any ILNG guidance or directives been issued on this topic?

The ILNG did not publish state specific guidance.

Any comment on the national orders?

The Illinois National Guard is required to implement this federal directive. The Illinois National Guard will do so with the utmost professionalism and will treat our Soldiers and Airmen with dignity and respect.