HAGANS: Military Readiness, Not ‘Woke’ Politics, Must Come First 

The recent decision by a U.S. District judge to block President Donald J. Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from military service is a direct attack on military readiness. The ruling prioritizes a radical leftist agenda over national security.

The military exists to fight and win wars, not to serve as a testing ground for social experiments. As a veteran who served in the Army Reserve for nearly 14 years, I have dedicated my life to service, duty, and honor. I have seen firsthand that military strength depends on discipline, warfighting, and readiness — not identity politics and “Woke” distractions.

Yet this ruling undermines those core values.

NORTHEASTERN SYRIA – MAY 25: U.S. Army soldiers prepare to go out on patrol from a remote combat outpost on May 25, 2021 in northeastern Syria. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

President Trump is right to take decisive action to eliminate detrimental DEI policies that weaken our forces. The push for so-called “inclusion” at the expense of combat effectiveness is reckless.

The original ban was never about discrimination, but about ensuring military effectiveness. Service comes with requirements that not everyone can meet. The inclusion of transgender individuals presents logistical and financial burdens that threaten operational readiness.

Accommodating transgender service members diverts valuable resources away from mission readiness. Between 2015 and 2024, the Defense Department spent $52 million on care for active-duty service members to treat gender dysphoria, according to a February 26 memo from the Pentagon. Every dollar wasted on identity politics is a dollar not spent on preparing our troops for battle.

This was not always my view. Like many Americans, my perspective on this topic has evolved over time and has been informed by my military service. The mainstream media peddles misinformation and their own progressive policy agenda to us disguised as “news,” which is why it took some time to form my own opinions.

My view today is that the Army cannot afford to be infected by this nonsense. I have seen myself that our focus must be on warfighting capabilities, discipline, and effectiveness. (RELATED: PAUL GOTTFRIED: The Antidiscrimination Regime)

This is not about politics. It’s about what’s best for the future of our military and our country. President Trump understands that, and I am inspired by his vision to restore the United States Army to its rightful stature.

I have seen how misguided policies have eroded the core values that make our military the strongest fighting force in the world. When identity politics are prioritized over mission readiness, morale suffers, recruitment declines, and our ability to fight and win wars is compromised. Anything that distracts from that puts our national security at risk.

I appreciate President Trump’s leadership on this urgent issue. There is no place for divisive DEI or “Woke” policies in today’s Army.

Military service is not a right; it is a privilege. The armed forces reject individuals for a wide range of medical and psychological reasons. Making an exception for transgender individuals based on political pressure rather than military necessity is irresponsible.

This ruling is part of a broader trend of activist judges interfering with national security.

If the courts continue to inject themselves into military affairs, we risk weakening our armed forces. The American people deserve a military that is focused on national defense, not political activism.

It is time to restore a common-sense approach to military policy—one that prioritizes readiness over political correctness. (RELATED: Hegseth Is Already Making The Military Great Again)

I commend President Trump and Secretary Dan Driscoll for their commitment to ensuring our Army is once again laser-focused on that singular objective.

Note: These are my personal opinions and do not reflect the official position of the Department of Defense.

Terence Hagans is an Army veteran, Stanford and Duke graduate, and seasoned technology executive