Air Force Physician Shared DoD Legal Guidance on Gender-Affirming Care for Dependent Minors
Lt. Col. Josh Smalley distributed memos in March, May and July 2023 stating that U.S. military members and civilian employees should not fear legal action when providing gender-affirming care to minors. The documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, include a February 2023 memo outlining Department of Defense indemnification options.
dailycaller.comLt. Col. U.S. military members and civilian employees should not fear legal action when providing gender-affirming care to minors.
U.S. Air Force. It further states that upon request the Department of Defense may pay for all or part of the settlement or compromise of a claim against a Department civilian employee or Service member provided the Secretary or designee determines that certain conditions are met.
In another correspondence, Smalley referenced a 5-hour symposium/roadshow for the Buckley MTF. Military hospitals and clinics are referred to as direct care, military treatment facilities or MTFs. The latter paper was published in July 2024.
One of the papers states: “The major components of gender-affirming care include hormone therapy, gender confirmation surgery, and mental health care, if needed. During the Biden administration, the Department of Defense rolled back restrictions on transgender military personnel. Executive Order 14183 was issued by the Trump administration and cracked down on LGBT policies from the Biden era.
Lt. Col. Josh Smalley is currently a physician at the Uniformed Services University. He is an openly pro-LGBT advocate. The article was written by Francis Kapper and published on May 06, 2026 at 4:38 PM ET.
Com reported these details.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
7 events- 2023-02-13
Memo dated February 13, 2023 outlining Department of Defense indemnification for personnel facing liability
1 sourcedailycaller.com - 2023-03
Lt. Col. Josh Smalley shared attachments stating military members should not fear legal action for gender-affirming care to minors
1 sourcedailycaller.com - 2023-05
Lt. Col. Josh Smalley shared additional attachments on the same topic
1 sourcedailycaller.com - 2023-07
Lt. Col. Josh Smalley shared further attachments on legal protections for gender-affirming care
1 sourcedailycaller.com - 2024-07
Smalley's paper 'Transgender and Gender Diverse Health Care in the US Military: What Dermatologists Need to Know' published
1 sourcedailycaller.com - 2025-01
Trump administration issues Executive Order 14183 cracking down on Biden-era LGBT policies
1 sourcedailycaller.com - 2026-05-06
Article by Francis Kapper published at 4:38 PM ET detailing the documents
1 sourcedailycaller.com
Potential Impact
- 01
FOIA lawsuit by Center to Advance Security in America highlights continued interest in military transgender health records
- 02
Smalley's published recommendations on fitness testing and dermatological care for transgender service members may face renewed scrutiny
- 03
Documents may inform ongoing policy reviews following Executive Order 14183
- 04
Revelations could affect military medical personnel confidence in providing certain care
Transparency Panel
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