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VanessaTyme · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 5:18 am Post subject: Hormones: fit for fighting? Info?

I doubt that the answer is going to be yes but I did wonder if anyone would at least have some info or a location to look that might explain the military's take on transitioning. More specifically, their take on taking hormones or blockers. Again, I probably know what the answer is but it would be nice to be able to just see how far I can go without breaking any rules. I'm sure they would not be to forgiving. lOve!

**Hellfrozeover** · Advisor Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 773 Location: UK

If you're 100% sure it's for you and seek medical help I don't think there's anything they can do. Make sure you're 100% certain though. I know you've probably heard it before but this is very important and will change your life forever(duh lol).

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VanessaTyme · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 8:42 am Post subject:

:/ , thanks, I've been giving it a lot of thought for some time now. What does it mean if I do not believe I could be 100% sure "All" the time. I mean I have my high moments and my low ones, but I always at least hover in the same uneasy state of desire. I don't know what that means. Does it mean that I'm a poor candidate and don't have the right personality? I thought it just meant I was a normal person who has good days and bad days.

I still have a couple important unsorted arguments against transitioning but I decided recently that aside from my unanswered questions, and given the choice and the privacy of my own life I want to transition.

The idea of transitioning while in the military scares me though. I just had my physical which is held in one big room full of guys and almost every kid in there seemed to turn openly homophobic when we had to take our shirt and pants off. 'I' laughed inside because I felt like a spy, but I sure wouldn't like to be stuck in there with them while transitioning. Privacy likely goes out the window if I have to announce what I'm doing.

It would be comforting to know that I could be cleared to start, and I suppose discretion would only last for as long as the effects were not noticeable anyway.

PinkRose · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

VanessaTyme wrote:

I mean I have my high moments and my low ones, but I always at least hover in the same uneasy state of desire. I don't know what that means.

You are not alone with those particular thoughts, as I read that I thought it was an excellent way of describing just how I feel!

**ice maiden** · Advisor Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 2691

Do you think you could function better as the opposite sex than you do now

if you think you can then live en role for a few months and see how you get on - its a lot *safer and cheaper to crossdress and wander about than it it to take irreversible life changing substances

* http://www.transgenderzone.com/library/st/fulltext/59.htm

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Man [...] must count no one but himself; that he is alone, abandoned on earth in the midst of his infinite responsibilities, without help, with no other aim than the one he sets himself, with no other destiny than the one he forges for himself on this earth." (Jean Paul Sartre, 1943)

Scaeme · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

I was in the military myself Vanessa and I know what you mean. I actualy joined to try masculinise myself (which didnt work btw), but I learnt to love the place for the close relationship with my platoon and to a slightly lesser extent to my company, regiment and corps.
You know as well as I do though that although there's always a lot of banter around, those in your unit will stick by you through anything.
So, fully expect to be ribbed about it a bit, until they realise that it really does upset you. But also feel reassured that it's increadibly unlikely you'll get anything abusive from your own and they'll be looking out for you from the others.
The only thing to worry about perhaps is the officers, but if you make sure that you play it by the book then you should be able to avoid that. Maybe have a word with your Corporal to start off with and see if he can pass it up the COC to do some digging about what exactly are the "rules" of transitioning?
So, when you're sure that this is what you want, keep it in your platoon for as long as possible and get thier support and understanding first and I think you should be fine. Smile

I'm not sure, but I think I saw something on AARSE a while back about somebody in the British Army who was transitioning. I'll see if I can find it for you.
edit: Christ, I forgot how evil it is to try do a search on AARSE. I think I covered everything above anyway

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**thedreadpersephone** · Advisor Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 913 Location: Dundee

I'm sure I've read news stories before about people transitioning in the forces. Of course it is likely to be very difficult, but not impossible if both transition and working in the military are ambitions that you must fulfill.

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VanessaTyme · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 5:41 pm Post subject:

ice maiden wrote:

Do you think you could function better as the opposite sex than you do now

I know that is a question that someone shouldn't even have to think about but I wonder how anyone can function "better" after transitioning. I don't imagine life becomes 'easier' for anyone but if anything it would become a little more difficult or complicated.

I think I know what you mean though. I've wrestled with the notion that I may only want to transition simply because of some powerful fetish or a something as bad as being frustrated with dating and wanting to try something different.

I'm going to try to be as clean as I can here.

I don't get aroused by the idea of wearing womens clothing nor by the idea of becoming/being a woman, and with the girls whom I have gone out with I have never been 'Able' to finish "the act" . . . Wink

due to loosing 'interested' Embarassed

. Wanting to live as the opposite sex is simply something that nags at me way to often to ignore. My tempered emotion toward transitioning would worry me that it is simply a passing fad if it weren't for having lived with that feeling for the past seven years. Plus, I'm pretty level headed over all. Of course it helps that I'm only typing on my computer right now.

So, do I think I could function better? I don't think it would negatively impact my emotional state. I know the question can only be answered by myself but does that even sort of answer it?

Scaeme wrote:

You know as well as I do though that although there's always a lot of banter around, those in your unit will stick by you through anything.
So, fully expect to be ribbed about it a bit, until they realise that it really does upset you

Scaeme I feel sorta close to you (no it doesn't have to be mutual) because my future sounds like it's going to look similar to your past . . . and you seem to have turned out just fine. Also, luckly I'll be going into the Airforce so there should be a bit more privacy than the other branches.

thedreadpersephone wrote:

Of course it is likely to be very difficult, but not impossible if both transition and working in the military are ambitions that you must fulfill.

Actually I had been thinking of making a career with the AF or another government agency outside the military. Makes it a bit frustrating to want both at the same time, though, since I may simply try to finish my education and get a job in the private sector instead.

ice maiden wrote:

You are the neatest person I know named Vanessa, Vanessa.

thAnk YOu, IM! I like you tOo!

chocolate fairy wrote:

and you smell like candy. Yum!

erm

-----------------

Even though I've talked to a psychologist (psychiatrist?) about my feelings over four years ago I've only been seriously considering transitioning since Feb '06.
How much time did it take you all to decide once you saw transitioning as a serious option? Embarassed

Stella Maru · Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2248 Location: Brighton

VanessaTyme wrote:

I wonder how anyone can function "better" after transitioning. I don't imagine life becomes 'easier' for anyone but if anything it would become a little more difficult or complicated.

In general, clinical guidelines for selection of gender reassignment candidates suggest that only those who are judged to have a reasonable chance of improved social functioning should be selected for genital surgery.

Gender reassignment is a psycho-social process , so if social functioning is not expected to improve following gender reassignment, what rational motive for reassignment could there possibly be?

VanessaTyme · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

Hm, I hadn't thought as far as Gender Reassignment surgery. My focus is on behavioral and hormonal transition. I would imagine that once you have made that decision then deciding which genital orientation you have would not be the same issue that it would be before the initial transition.

For me, the thought of Reassignment surgery is on a different level at which I have not taken the time to consider, but the lifestyle change is such a big issue to have floating around in my brain that I'm ok with that, for now.

**Sparkz** · Advisor Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 179

Vanessa, all this stuff about you needing to 'function better' after transitioning should be read from a subjective angle. In reality, only you live your life, not any assessing psych. If you believe life will be better for you if you transition (and you are also trans, which you very much appear to be), then this is the measure of whether you should transition or not Wink

Additionally, all transpeople get some degree of grief from people because they are trans...but transpeople still tend to insist that transitioning was the right thing for them to do. If you are likely to have problems dealing with transphobic people after you transition, this shouldn't make anyone not let you transition. Psychs know that if you are trans, you will be trans all your life. Thus, if they think you are trans, but that you may have problems with your quality of life after transitioning, they may simply try to help you develop coping skills so that when you do transition, your life is as pleasant as possible Wink

BTW, there's heaps of transpeople who don't have any form of surgery, so you're not alone there Exclamation

Hope this helps
x
Sparkz

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VanessaTyme · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject:

"Hope this helps"

Lots of help, I also read your post on Chris' Topic "Am I?" and it was great!

As far as being subjective. I know my questions can only be answered by myself. I think I respond sometimes simply to keep the conversation going . . . which may not have been necissary Embarassed

.