WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Air Force will no longer allow transgender service members with 15 to 18 years of service to retire early, instead separating them without retirement pay, the service confirmed, a move one impacted master sergeant called "betrayed and devastated."

The change leaves those affected with two options: accept a lump-sum separation payout designed for junior troops or face removal from the service without retirement benefits.

An Air Force spokesperson told the Associated Press that while members with 15 to 18 years of honorable service could apply for an exception, "none of the exceptions to policy were approved." About a dozen service members had been "prematurely notified" they could retire before that decision was reversed, the spokesperson said.

A memo issued Monday, reviewed by the AP, said the decision was made "after careful consideration of the individual applications." The move is part of the Trump administration's broader policy separating all transgender members from the Air Force.

The Pentagon received Supreme Court approval in early May to proceed with its ban on transgender troops. Days later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled a plan allowing openly serving transgender personnel to either voluntarily leave with a one-time payout or face involuntary separation later.

A Pentagon official said in May that the policy was intended to treat "anyone impacted by it with dignity and respect." But transgender service members have described the process as "dehumanizing" and "open cruelty," citing actions like reverting records to birth gender.

Shannon Leary, an attorney who represents LGBTQ+ clients in workplace discrimination cases, called Thursday's decision "arbitrary" and "cruel." She predicted lawsuits, noting that early retirement offers in the military typically apply to all with over 15 years' service. She also expects other branches to adopt similar policies.

Among those affected is Master Sgt. Logan Ireland, who has served 15 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan. "I feel betrayed and devastated by the news," Ireland said, adding that his chain of command, "with tears in their eyes," told him his retirement was denied.

As of Dec. 9, 2024, Pentagon data showed 4,240 active duty, National Guard, and Reserve members diagnosed with "gender dysphoria." Officials are using the diagnosis to identify transgender troops, though not all transgender people have the condition, suggesting the actual number may be higher.

Under the policy, active duty personnel had until June 6 to self-identify for a payout; Guard and Reserve members had until July 7. The Pentagon has said commanders and routine medical screenings will help identify those who do not voluntarily come forward.