Chelsea Manning, 28, previously known as Bradley Manning, is a transgender Army Private who was arrested on espionage charges back in 2010. When she is released from prison on May 17, Manning will remain a U.S. soldier. An Army spokesman said in a statement to USA Today that Pvt. Manning is entitled to health care but will not, reportedly, be paid, pending the final review.

Where will Manning will be assigned?

The Army spokesman did not say what post Manning will be assigned to, or who she will report to. The court martial case is still under appeal by Manning and should her appeal fail, she may be dishonorably discharged and would then lose her health benefits.

The Army did not disclose any other terms of Manning’s release, citing privacy concerns.

WikiLeaks whistleblower will finally leave prison

Manning was a former whistleblower who released around 700,000 classified State Department and military documents to WikiLeaks. She was convicted of espionage in 2010 and has served almost seven years of the 35-year sentence imposed on her at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., an all-male institution.

As noted by the New York Daily News, Manning’s prison sentence was commuted by former U.S. President Obama before he left office in January this year.

It was a decision that did not fare well with President Donald Trump.

Trump labeled the army private as an “ungrateful traitor,” while dubbing Obama a weak leader. At around the same time, Vice President Mike Pence also called the decision a “mistake” when interviewed by Fox News.

Two suicide attempts while in Fort Leavenworth

Manning spent a majority of her time in prison in solitary confinement. This led her to attempt to take her own life on two occasions.

According to her lawyers, Manning also filed a lawsuit relating to transgender rights.

Manning is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, who released a statement from the army private on May 9. In the statement, Manning said that for the first time, she could imagine a future as Chelsea, living as herself in the outside world.

Chase Strangio, the lawyer who represents Manning, headed to Twitter on Sunday to show excitement over his client’s release, scheduled for May 17. He stated that after representing his client for four years, they had just had what was probably their last phone call together behind bars.
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