Military review boards in the Navy and Marine Corps have recommended retaining transgender service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria in most cases reviewed so far, presenting a contrast with decisions by the Army and Air Force as the Trump administration seeks to enforce stricter military service standards.

According to The New York Times, Navy boards recommended retaining sailors in seven of nine cases, while Marine Corps boards recommended keeping two of three service members. The recommendations are not final and can be overturned by civilian service secretaries appointed by the administration.

The Army and Air Force have taken a different approach. Army review boards have held approximately 50 hearings and recommended discharges in all but about five cases. Air Force boards have recommended discharging service members in all six known cases.

Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 27, 2025, directing the Pentagon to implement policies excluding transgender personnel from military service. The order states that service must be reserved for Americans who are mentally and physically fit for duty, emphasizing military readiness and effectiveness.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the administration’s position during a September address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. He criticized diversity initiatives and called for uniform, gender-neutral, and high standards across the armed forces, emphasizing that the military’s primary mission is preparing for war and winning.

The administration’s policy has affected approximately 4,250 transgender service members, representing about 0.1% of the military, according to the Times. Some have challenged their dismissals, while others have accepted financial incentives to leave voluntarily.

One service member recommended for retention was Marine Staff Sgt. Damien Contreras, a logistics specialist with 10 years of service and three overseas deployments. His review board examined his performance evaluations and military record before recommending that he remain in the Corps.

Former Air Force lawyer Rachel VanLandingham, who has tracked the proceedings, suggested that some boards may be resisting a process they consider unfair. The Pentagon declined to discuss individual cases, citing ongoing litigation.

The Navy and Marine Corps decisions remain limited to a small number of hearings, and the results could change as more cases are reviewed. The recommendations do not overturn the administration’s policy, but they indicate that some boards have concluded that individual service members’ records support retention.