Paul Zukunft, the current Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, will keep his promise to his transgender personnel even after Donald Trump has announced a military ban on transgender people a few days ago. In a series of tweets, the president claimed that the decision was made after his consultation with his generals and military experts.

Trump bans transgender recruits in military

The POTUS cited that the U.S. military "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail."

His proposed military ban would contradict a policy initially passed during Barack Obama's term, which would allow transgender people to openly serve in the U.S.

military. But aside from making this policy Twitter official, Donald Trump and his administration have yet to make a formal announcement regarding transgender ban.

Officials want POTUS to dismiss military ban

Hence, Paul Zukunft immediately called some of his transgender personnel to assure them that he "will not break faith" with them. The Coast Guard chief specifically recalled his conversation with Lt. Taylor Miller and said, "I told Taylor I will not turn my back. We have made an investment in you and you have made an investment in the Coast Guard."

Lt. Taylor Miller is among the transgender personnel of the U.S. Coast Guard under Paul Zukunft. Speaking with the Washington Post, she admitted that she felt "unwanted, mortified and embarrassed" after reading Donald Trump's announcement on social media.

She went on to share the struggles of transgender people and how this military ban will make their lives even worse. “I’m worried about how I’m going to cover the cost of my hormones, hide from everybody and not get beaten up and murdered in an alleyway," she narrated.

Lt. Taylor Miller has found support from Paul Zukunft and 56 retired military officials, who signed a letter to Donald Trump to ask him to dismiss his proposed military ban on transgender people.

The top admirals and generals even labeled the proposal a "discriminatory policy" that will damage the morale of the U.S. military.

In the said letter, the signatories asked that transgender people should not be "dismissed, deprived of medically necessary health care, or forced to compromise their integrity or hide their identity” while serving in the military. It also stated that the possible changes in the policy will greatly affect both the U.S. military and transgender people.