Dinner and a Conversation: Transgender Integration at West Point and Beyond

Morten G. Ender, Diane M. Ryan, Danielle A. Nuszkowski, Emma Sarah Spell and Charles B. Atkins
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Morten G. Ender: Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
Diane M. Ryan: Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
Danielle A. Nuszkowski: Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
Emma Sarah Spell: Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
Charles B. Atkins: Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA

Social Sciences, 2017, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: In 2016, the United States military lifted the ban on transgender members serving and are expected to begin accessions of transgender service members in 2017. A paucity of research exists on transgender matters in the military, especially on attitudes towards cisgender service members. This study deploys a qualitative methodology, comprised of 21 focus groups of undergraduate cadets and advanced schooled Army officers ( N = 110), at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, using a semi-structured interview protocol. Overall, a diversity of experiences and familiarity with transgender people surfaced among cadets and officers. We distinguish between experiences and familiarity on a spectrum by introducing notions of transgender tourism and cosmopolitanism. Major concerns associated with (un)comfortableness emerged from the focus groups including privacy, physical standards, well-being, and costs. Interventions are offered by the participants based on their major concerns. We recommend education, increased cosmopolitism, privacy considerations, narrowing the civil-military propinquity gap, and more studies of diversity and inclusion issues in the military.

Keywords: transgender; military; undergraduates; attitudes; youth; cadets; military academy; soldiers; U.S. Army; focus groups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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