Military Dischage. CDing NOT to blame.

[Kitty Sue]

I just found out that I am getting discharged from the military, after 16 years of service between active duty and the reserves. The discharge is honorable and due to medical reasons.

I have mixed feelings on the whole thing, with more positive emotions than negative. I am looking forward to the opportunity to express myself more as Kitty, than I am currently able.

So interesting times ahead with lots of new choices and chances for self expression. :daydreaming::daydreaming::daydreaming:

[LisaM]

Good luck in civilian life, Kitty Sue!

[VeronicaMoonlit]

I have mixed feelings on the whole thing, with more positive emotions than negative. I am looking forward to the opportunity to express myself more as Kitty, than I am currently able.

So interesting times ahead with lots of new choices and chances for self expression.

Enjoy your new freedom to have certain options in civilian mufti more frequently, soldier. You've earned it.

Question: Have you lined up a civilian job yet?

Veronica Rogers

[Kathi Lake]

Hi Kitty!

I'm sure I'll get there one day - most likely when they kick me out. You see, I'm having too much fun as it is, so why stop all that?

Kathi

[Gina's dress-up]

Hi Kitty

I wish the best for you, hope everything works outs, have fun being kitty as much as you can.

[StaceyJane]

Good luck on the outside. I spent 12 years in the Army and left because one tour of Iraq was enough for me. Now I still work for the Department of the Army but I feel much better.

[Karren H]

Don't forget to stop by the Exchange and buy a couple female military dress uniforms on your way out? For marching in your local vetrans day parade!!

[Melissa Anne]

Thanks for helping to preserve our freedoms. Now go and enjoy yours!

[carolinoakland]

Thank you for your service. Carol

[sissystephanie]

Kitty Sue, a very big Thank You to you and every other service person on this forum from a Korean Navy veteran. Now go out and have some fun as Kitty!!

[minalost]

Thank you for your service!

[NatieBe]

Thank you for your service and welcome to the 1ST Civ Div :drink: XO's Natie

[sherryleigh]

As a child of a former POW thank you for your service.Good luck with civilian life as well! :)

[sherri52]

Kitty after the army and vietnam I joined the Air Natiuonal guard so I could get away from the wife and kids. I got to dress every one of those weekends because my base was over 35 miles away and they put me up in a motel. I did finally retire after 30 yrs.

[docrobbysherry]

Was my Discharge Day!:Party:

That's when my REAL LIFE began!:)

I hope u have a LONG, HAPPY adult life, Kitty Sue! Which begins RITE NOW!:D

[Teri Jean]

Thank you for your service. USN 67-71

Teri

[Kitty Sue]

Hi all, thanks for the comments.

Kathi, yes I agree it is fun. I hope that full time civy will be fun for me. I really hope I can keep most of uniforms and some of my TA-50, I really that sleep system-it is the bomb!:)

Stacy, I too hope to work with soldiers/military members in some capacity. That would be great!:daydreaming:

Karen, you know I think I will buy a women's dress uniform. I had never given it much thought before, but as I will be leaving the service it does seem like a grand idea.:heehee:

Veronica, no I have not lined up a civilian job. I am finished by bachelors degree and now in school for physical therapy assistant. I hope to eventually work in the VA.



To my fellow sister veterans thanks for your service
and thanks to all my sisters for your kind words and warm support. I love this site, and you girls make it what it is. :hugs::love:

[lavistaa62]

The new GI bill is the bomb and you'll be in great shape to setup a SDVB.

[Lady Davida]

USAF 1987 - 1993 Closet cross dressed the whole time. Forced out due to draw downs and base closures and like an idiot I didn't go into the guard. At the time my mentality was active duty or no duty. Stupid! Not sure how old you are but if you have not gone to school take advantage of any GI education benefits you can get. I am soon to be a nurse.

[Dana]

The new GI bill is the bomb and you'll be in great shape to setup a SDVB.

1. Make damn sure you convert your SGLI to VGLI!

2. Make sure you make copies of your medical, dental, and service record books before your dischaged. (Your not suppose to, but go out to UPS, Kinkos, whatever and do so)

3. Make sure that you check in with the VA. (Veterans Admistratiion) as soon as your discharged. The military may gave you a 20% disability while the VA may give you a 50% disability. Makes all the dfference when it comes to insurance, tax liabilities, defrements, etc.

4. Make sure (since your being medicaly retired after sixteen years of service) that you and yours are enrolled in Tricare. Go to a Tricare representive and have them explain to you the difference between TriCare Standard, Extra, and Prime, (I would recommend Prime)

[Crysten]

I just retired - 22 years!! (almost!!) and closeted the entire time. Now, I have my civilian job all going well, but with the kids around (and an only semi-supportive wife) it's difficult to dress as much as I would like. A bit more than I was, but not a whole lot.

Right now the house is empty so I have on a bra/panties/pantyhose, forms, a crinkle blouse (rescued from my wife's donation bin), stretch skinny jeans, and ballerina slippers -- Heaven!!

THERE IS LIFE AFTER THE MILITARY!! YAAY!! :)

[KandisTX]

USAF 1988 - 1991, forced out due to RIF. While on active duty however, my first wife decided to tell my First Sergeant all about Kandis and even made up some stuff like "He makes pornographic movies, and does drugs" for flavor. That was a fun day spent with the USAFOSI I can assure you. Needless to say, it sucked getting out, I would have retired 2 years ago if I had been allowed to stay in way back then. Then again, I would never have met the wonderful woman I am now happily married to who loves and supports me in all aspects of my life, including Kandis. (She bought the nightgown I am wearing right now).

Kandis:love::rose2:

[MarcyRex]

I endorse what Dana said. Do not neglect her advice. This is often repeated accompanied with regret in veterans organizations FRA/VFW, CPOA etc.
Also you might want to reach out to Sister Organization such as TriEss (as example). The face to face meetings and outings really do bolster confidence and provide a social outlet that internet cannot provide.
Best of all, your medpay comes to you no matter what "uniform" :battingeyelashes: you wear.

Thank you for your time served. Now begins the life you dictate. No orders/duty/recall.

Marcy out

[shadyterri]

Kitty Sue, Dana offered some excellent advice, so please consider what is being recommended. Hopefully the medical discharge did result in some type of disability pay. I had over 26 years in the military reserves and this was one outlet away from home that I could dress. My civilian employer required I do a lot of TDY so I had that time away from home to dress. I am now retired and the opportunities to dress our much less often. To me that is the only downside to retirement. lol

[SamanthaS]

Good luck

[jenna_woods]

good luck to you hun I know its going to be a big change for you.

[KARI AN]

I know that the Navy has a 15 year retirement reserves so I would check to see if you can get something like that the medical tricare is worth it at age 62.

[Claire_tv_uk]

best wishes from a british service(wo)man. Ive only done 5 years and i know id be completely lost if i left, ive totally embraced the culture and i believe id struggle to fit into civvy life. I know how ironic this sounds as im a CD, not the first thing that springs into mind when you think of the forces!

All the best when you're promoted to MR/MISS!

[Bobbi Lynn]

Make sure you make many copies of your DD 214 you will probably need them for job applications. Keep the original in a safe place, you will need it when you apply for SS. GOOD LUCK! USN 1961-1968 Tonkan Gulf mostly.


1. Make damn sure you convert your SGLI to VGLI!

2. Make sure you make copies of your medical, dental, and service record books before your dischaged. (Your not suppose to, but go out to UPS, Kinkos, whatever and do so)

3. Make sure that you check in with the VA. (Veterans Admistratiion) as soon as your discharged. The military may gave you a 20% disability while the VA may give you a 50% disability. Makes all the dfference when it comes to insurance, tax liabilities, defrements, etc.

4. Make sure (since your being medicaly retired after sixteen years of service) that you and yours are enrolled in Tricare. Go to a Tricare representive and have them explain to you the difference between TriCare Standard, Extra, and Prime, (I would recommend Prime)

[vetobob9]

When I was active I never tried to cross dress because I signed the contract everyone signs when they join the military.

How do you cross dress in the military and still not violate your contract?

[vetobob9]

Make sure you make many copies of your DD 214 you will probably need them for job applications. Keep the original in a safe place, you will need it when you apply for SS. GOOD LUCK! USN 1961-1968 Tonkan Gulf mostly.

You can download a copy of your DD 214 from AKO. I lost mine so when I was about to leave the National Guard, a couple of weeks ago, I made a point of going on AKO and downloading it. Then I printed a copy of it because for a few things, you need copy 1 which is the copy I had lost.

Which reminds me, I got caught with women's clothing in my car once because they were searching vehicles for lost equipment. Since I had started a photo business I told them it was for the models. It worked. LOL.

[NoraTV]

Kitty Sue, I want to thank you and honor you for your service.

[NoraTV]

I retired from the U.S. military (I don't feel comfortable saying which branch) after 21 years of active duty. Sometimes it was very challenging to "be all that I can be," if you know what I mean (and I know that you do). By acknowledging and, when I could, expressing all that I am, I think it helped me get through some of the unpleasant things that I sometimes had to do.

Again, thanks for your service. May all of your dreams come true.

[NoraTV]

When I was active I never tried to cross dress because I signed the contract everyone signs when they join the military.

How do you cross dress in the military and still not violate your contract?
Nothing in the contract says that you can't, Bob.

But your basic point is a very good one, and it points out the challenge to CDs and transgendered people in the U.S. military. The duty not to act to the prejudice of good order and discipline (Article 134, UCMJ) or act in a manner unbecoming an officer (Article 133, UCMJ) demands discretion. I could not allow my own private life to interfere in any way with the accomplishment of my unit's mission or to interfere with the responsibilities of my comrades. My duty, which I voluntarily accepted, had to come first -- not my love of dresses, makeup, and high heels.

It was not easy, but I believe that I honored that obligation.

[Claire_tv_uk]

When I was active I never tried to cross dress because I signed the contract everyone signs when they join the military.

How do you cross dress in the military and still not violate your contract?

Well nowhere in the british military contract does it ban you from CD'ing, im in the closet anyway, so its not an issue

[vetobob9]

I was under the impression the British military was a bit more enlightened on these matters than the American military. The DOD is still dishonorably discharging gays, after all.

[Claire_tv_uk]

I was under the impression the British military was a bit more enlightened on these matters than the American military. The DOD is still dishonorably discharging gays, after all.

what you do in private is nobody elses business, if no-one knows then you're not breaking any laws, including Crossdessing

[Susieboots]

Hi Kitty
I was medically discharged as well after 6 years in the British Army, It was after a tour in NI and I have to say I didn't want to leave. I loved being a soldier and it was all I ever wanted to do and begged them to let me stay. :brokenheart: I've a 20% disability and felt quite bitter about for a long while. :angry::angry:
I really hope that your exit goes a lot better than mine and you have really good luck for the future. :thumbsup:

please be careful

Sue x

[Crysten]

When I was active I never tried to cross dress because I signed the contract everyone signs when they join the military.

How do you cross dress in the military and still not violate your contract?

The contract states that you will not engage in homosexual sexual activity. That's what it says. Nowhere does it state "THOU SHALT NOT WEAR PANTIES". You have been misinformed. Although, I'm sure there would be a discussion, discharge for cause of crossdressing is something I've never heard of or seen. Like myself, most CDers become skilled at keeping it quiet -- and most of us are not overtly feminine in our daily lives. The people that have problems are the obviously gay men -- the ones that EVERYONE can spot a mile away. And even then, if they don't engage in any homosexual sexual activity, they shouldn't be discharged. One has to wonder, though, why they put themselves into the service in the first place, especailly the "flamers" (hate to use that word but I couldn't think of anyting else)

[JulieC]

Karen, you know I think I will buy a women's dress uniform. I had never given it much thought before, but as I will be leaving the service it does seem like a grand idea.:heehee:

I was going to post quoting Karen, and suggesting you really do get a women's uniform and then I found this post :) I think it's a great idea, while you still have the chance, to get the various uniform parts to complete the women's dress uniform. I'm prior service too, and though the women's uniforms aren't the latest fashion, there's been many a time that I wish I could go back and buy a woman's uniform for myself. Do it while you still can!

[NoraTV]

I was under the impression the British military was a bit more enlightened on these matters than the American military. The DOD is still dishonorably discharging gays, after all.
Not exactly correct, but a good point...

Since 1993, under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy (dumb name, I know), people who admit to homosexual tendencies or who commit homosexual acts can be involuntarily discharged, but it is almost always with the type of discharge warranted by the total service record -- an Honorable Discharge or, for a poor performer, a General Discharge (Under Honorable Conditions). The discharged person remains eligible for all military benefits and benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

To be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge or a Dishonorable Discharge, there must be pretty serious criminal conduct -- not just showing up in formation in slingbacks -- resulting in conviction and sentence of a court-martial.

The point is, however, that the U.S. military still fires people whose only offense is to crossdress, usually under the homosexual tendencies grounds.

Sacked is sacked, whatever the the fancy label.

[NathalieX66]

Even Klinger still had to serve duty. :D