Court Hears Challenge to Air Force Cancellation of 17 Transgender Veterans' Early Retirements

Seventeen transgender veterans and service members filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims challenging the Air Force's cancellation of early retirement approvals granted under the Temporary Early Retirement Authority program. The case, Ireland v.

Was argued Tuesday before the court, which must decide whether to grant the government's motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction or allow the claims to proceed. Each plaintiff had at least 15 years of military service when they sought early retirement. The Air Force approved the retirements before rescinding the approvals, according to the plaintiffs.

The lawsuit alleges the retirement orders were legally authorized and should not have been reversed. Lead plaintiff former Air Force Master Sergeant Logan Ireland, an Afghanistan veteran with 15 years of service, said the actions stripped away benefits planned for his future. "I raised my hand and served my country honorably for 15 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan," Ireland said.

President Trump issued an executive order in January 2025 that reversed the prior policy allowing transgender troops to serve openly. The order stated that service members expressing a gender identity different from their biological sex could not meet the standards required for military service.

Under subsequent Defense Department guidance, troops with a diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria became subject to separation.

The hearing focused on jurisdiction. Plaintiffs contend the Court of Federal Claims can hear claims involving military pay and retirement benefits. In June a federal appeals court concluded the transgender military policy was likely unconstitutional and allowed certain active-duty plaintiffs to remain in service.