File name: AFRS Standard Operating Procedural Guide

Accessions Standards

Last Modified: Sept 2021

4.78. Transgender Accession Processing Procedures

4.78.1 Effective 30 Apr 2021, applicants identifying themselves as transgender may access

into the Air Force in all enlisted and officer programs. Unless otherwise administratively

disqualified (law violations, drug use, financial, etc.) all transgender applicants will be

processed, at a minimum, through to MEPS prescreening.

4.78.2. All Recruiters must familiarize themselves with the USMEPCOM Policy

Memorandum (PM) 2-7 Transgender Applicant Processing (Attachment 4-51A). All

transgender applicants will be processed at the MEPS IAW PM 2-7.

4.78.3 Identity Validation: A transgender applicant’s self-identified gender must be validated

prior to beginning the recruiting process. Recruiters must validate the transgender applicant’s

self-identified gender identify by one of the following documents:

48.3.1. Certified true copy of a state birth certificate reflecting self-identified gender

4.78.3.2. Certified true copy of a court order reflecting self-identified gender

4.78.3.3. U.S. Passport reflecting self-identified gender (2 year or temporary passports

are not acceptable)

*Note* If the applicant with a validated self-identified gender has not yet updated their

gender marker with the Social Security Administration (SSA), they can enter the DEP

but cannot EAD until their gender marker is updated.

4.78.4 If the selection of Male or Female is representing an applicant’s validated self identified

gender, the Recruiter will submit a MFR (Attachment 4-52A) with the UMF 680-

3A-E to the MEPS. Instruction of how to complete the UFM 680-3A-E are in Attachment

4-51B

4.78.5 Transgender applicants will sign a memorandum of understanding (Attachment 4-

52B) acknowledging that their self-identified gender will be the one used for their accession

and it will be the gender used to participate in all training environments. For example, at

BMT, an applicant whose gender identity is male, will be assigned in a male flight. He will

do all activities with his male flight mates (studying, sleeping, eating, showering, etc.). There

will be no distinctions among recruits. All recruits will be treated with dignity and respect.

4.78.5.1 Recruiters will upload complete form in AFRISS-TF under “other”.

4.78.6 The MEPS Liaison will update the gender data field in USMIRS 1.1 to align with

the data reported on UMF 680-3A-E in Item 6 Male/Female block as validated via the MFR

prior to scheduling the applicant for processing.

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4.78.7 Transgender applicants whose self-identified gender has been validated are to be

addressed by their self-identified gender name and pronoun. Document all forms with the

self-identified name and pronoun. For example:

4.78.7.1. Transgender male (born female but identified as male): male (he, him, etc.)

4.78.7.2. Transgender female (born male but identified as female): female (she, her, etc.)

Note: If an applicant’s self-identified gender cannot be established (i.e. non-binary), then

the birth sex will be used for MEPS processing. All applicants must choose to be

identified as either male or female or they may not process.

4.78.8 Medical Prescreen:

4.78.7.1 Recruiters should have the applicant collect all medical records (counseling,

pharmacy, operative reports) that cover current or previous treatment and submit that

supporting medical documentation with the DD Form 2807-2 Accession Medical

History Reports to the MEPS for review. Ensure all documents are collected to prevent

any delays in prescreen processing.

4.78.7.2. Recruiters are not to make any medical comments or recommendations. Send

complete prescreen package to MEPS for review.

4.78.8. If a transgender applicant is authorized to physical by the MEPS, ensure the

following is briefed to the applicant:

4.78.8.1. Room assignment, height/weight standards, ortho-neuro exam, specimen

observation, undergarment requirements, chaperone and bathroom assignments will be

based on the applicant’s validated self-identified gender. Transgender applicant must

wear undergarments consistent with their physical anatomy.

4-78.8.2. All other medical exams and labs at the MEPS will be tailored to the specific

anatomical characteristics of the applicant. For example, a transgender male will be

given a female exam to include pregnancy tests and a transgender female will be give

the male exam, if applicable. c. Any applicant, including transgender, may request a

chaperone during the medical exam IAW USMEPCOM policy. A chaperone will be

provided if the applicant’s validated self-identified gender is different from the MEPS

medical provider’s gender.

4.78.9. If an applicant discloses after the MEPS medical exam that their self-identified

gender is different from their birth sex they will return back to the medical section for

further evaluation and qualification determination.

4.78.10. Please see Attachment 4-50A for Applicant Fact Sheet and Attachment 4-50B for

Military Recruiter Fact Sheet guidance.