**Can You Be Non-Binary in the Military?**
In recent years, society has become more aware of the diversity in gender identities, with more people identifying as non-binary. Non-binary individuals do not exclusively identify as male or female but may experience their gender in a variety of ways, including fluidly, as both, as neither, or in ways that fall outside the traditional binary framework. As more people openly identify as non-binary, the question of how institutions — including the military — acknowledge and accommodate these individuals has come to the forefront. Historically, military service has been steeped in rigid gender norms, and while there have been advancements in the military’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals as a whole, the situation for non-binary personnel remains complex.
Currently, the U.S. military primarily operates on a binary system of gender, formally acknowledging individuals as either male or female in most records and procedures. For example, enlistment forms, uniforms, barracks assignments, and medical care in the military have been historically structured around binary gender categories. This presents unique challenges for non-binary servicemembers, including difficulties in presenting and being recognized in their affirmed gender identity. While transgender servicemembers are now able to serve openly — following the reversal of the Trump administration’s transgender military ban in 2021 — specific policies recognizing non-binary identities have yet to be fully implemented.
Because the military operates on this gender binary, non-binary servicemembers often face the dilemma of being forced to choose a gender marker that may not align with how they identify. This can lead to issues ranging from psychological discomfort to practical hardships, such as adherence to gender-specific grooming standards, dress codes, and physical fitness requirements designed for men and women alone. The lack of accommodation for those who do not fit within the binary can make military service a difficult experience for non-binary individuals, and this may discourage some from pursuing a military career.
Military healthcare is another area where non-binary servicemembers face challenges. Though the military provides healthcare for service members, some aspects of gender-affirming care — such as hormone replacement therapy or surgeries — are often set in the context of transitioning from one binary gender to another. This can leave non-binary servicemembers in a gray area, with their specific healthcare needs not being fully addressed. The U.S. military’s healthcare system, TRICARE, is making strides toward more inclusive care for transgender individuals since the Pentagon’s policy reversal, but systemic questions remain about how non-binary individuals are treated within this framework. Access to mental health resources specifically tailored to non-binary experiences can also be scarce.
Despite these challenges, there is a slow but growing recognition of non-binary servicemembers’ existence and the need for policies to support them. Some branches are loosening uniform guidelines or being more flexible in their uniform dress codes that allow more room for gender expression, while others are starting dialogues around inclusivity. Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights within the military continuously push for greater change, calling on military leaders and policymakers to adopt more inclusive guidelines that will allow non-binary individuals the dignity and respect that every individual serving their country deserves.
In conclusion, while the U.S. military has made significant progress in terms of inclusivity for transgender individuals, there is still much work to be done to fully support non-binary servicemembers. The binary gender structure is deeply embedded in the military system, and revising it to accommodate an expanding understanding of gender will require structural change. However, with the ongoing push for equality and inclusion, there is hope that military policies can evolve to be more welcoming to non-binary individuals in the future, ensuring they too can serve their country authentically.
