The memo mandates the identification and discharge of transgender troops within 60 days. It states that military service requires "high standards for readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity"—criteria the Pentagon claims are inconsistent with gender dysphoria.

Waivers will be granted only in cases of "compelling government interest" related to warfighting capabilities. To qualify, service members must show 36 consecutive months of stability in their assigned sex without experiencing "clinically significant distress."

The policy is being challenged in court by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, arguing it violates the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection clause. The National Center for Lesbian Rights called it a "complete purge" of transgender individuals from military service. A recent Gallup poll found that 58% of Americans support allowing transgender individuals to serve, though this is down from 71% in 2019.

Despite the ban, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated that transgender personnel already in the military would be "treated with dignity and respect." Estimates suggest thousands of transgender individuals currently serve, though exact numbers remain unclear.