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U.S. Air Force cadet who graduated with flying colours isn't allowed to serve their country
3 U.S. Air Force Academy graduates denied commission under Trump's transgender military ban
Sheena Goodyear ·
Hunter Marquez, right, graduates Class of 2025 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Despite completing their training and meeting all the physical requirements for service, Marquez has been denied a military commission under the U.S. president's transgender military ban.
Serving in the U.S. military felt like a calling for Hunter Marquez.
The 22-year-old cadet has spent the last four years training at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., culminating in an emotional graduation ceremony last week, surrounded by friends and families.
With degrees in aeronautical engineering and applied mathematics, Marquez expected to be commissioned as a second lieutenant and as a combat systems officer.
Instead, they've been barred from service and placed on administrative leave under the U.S. President Donald Trump's transgender military ban, along with two of their fellow graduates.
"I grew up loving this country … so I thought this was the best thing that I could do with my life, was giving back," Marquez told As It Happens host Nil Kӧksal. "Being transgender does not define my ability to serve."
Regardless, being transgender does define their eligibility to serve, according to the U.S. Air Force.
"Service members and applicants for military service who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are incompatible with the requirements of military service and are no longer eligible," an Air Force spokesperson told CBC in an email.
Gender dysphoria is a diagnostic term sometimes used to ....
