SECRETARY
OF
DEFENSE
1000
DEFENSE
PENTAGON
WASHINGTON
,
DC
20301
-
1000
MAY
O 8
2025
MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP
COMMANDERS
OF
THE COMBATANT COMMANDS
DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS
SUBJECT: Implementing Policy on Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness
As the President
of
the United States clearly stated in Executive Order 14183,
"Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness," January 27, 2025, expressing a false 'gender
identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for
Military Service. Service by individuals with a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibiting
symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria is not in the best interest
of
the Military Services
and is not clearly consistent with the interests
of
national security.
On Tuesday, May
6,
2025, the United States Supreme Court granted the U.S .
Government the requested stay
of
the preliminary injunction in Shilling
v.
United States. As a
result, the following policy memoranda are reinstated effective immediately:
• Secretary
of
Defense Memorandum, "Prioritizing Military Excellence and
Readiness," February
7,
2025
• Office
of
the Under Secretary
of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness Memorandum,
"A
dditional Guidance on Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,"
February 26, 2025
• Office
of
the Assistant Secretary
of
Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
Memorandum, "Clarifying Guidance on Prioritizing Military Excellence and
Readiness," February 28, 2025
• Office
of
the Assistant Secretary
of
Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
Memorandum, "Clarifying Guidance
of
Prioritizing Military Excellence and
Readiness: Retention and Accession Waivers," March 4, 2025
• Office
of
the Under Secretary
of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness Memorandum,
"Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness: Military Department
Identification," March
21
, 2025
In accordance with policy now reinstated, Service members who have a current diagnosis
or history
of
, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria may elect to separate
voluntarily; such Service members may also
be
eligible for voluntary separation pay. The
eligibility window to self-identify for voluntary separation is extended to June
6,
2025 , for
Active Component Service members and July 7, 2025, for Reserve Component Service
members. Additionally, the Military Departments will immediately begin processing for
