Promoted one day and not ‘fit for duty’ the next: Transgender military personnel grapple with dismissals as forced separations are set to begin

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Sailor Benjamin Kibler was overcome with pride when he was selected for the competitive position of Limited Duty Officer, a class of personnel the US Navy describes as “valuable individuals” who are among the “most fully qualified” talent the branch has to offer.

Kibler and his wife celebrated the February 24 announcement as an exciting turning point in his career. As they prepared to relocate to Japan as part of his ship’s new deployment, his wife quit her job and the couple sold their truck, downsized their apartment and got rid of many of their belongings.

Within two days it had all fallen apart.

Kibler is among tho