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A group of seventeen transgender US Air Force service members has filed a lawsuit against the former president's government for revoking their early retirement pensions and associated benefits.

Legal Challenge Filed in US District Court

The formal complaint, presented in federal court, describes the government's action as "illegal and void" according to legal papers.

This legal action follows the USAF's announcement that it would deny early retirement benefits to all trans military personnel with 15 to 18 years of military experience, a ruling that effectively pushes them out of the armed forces without pension benefits.

"USAF's own pension guidelines states that pension authorization may only be rescinded under very limited circumstances, none were applicable in this case," declares the lawsuit.

Plaintiffs and Financial Impact

Included in the named plaintiffs are Master Sergeant Ireland, Technical Sergeant Davis, Kira Brimhall and Senior Master Sergeant Walley.

Legal advocacy groups acting for the affected service members stated that the cancellation of early retirement support had eliminated economic security and entitlements these families were counting on after many years of distinguished service to their nation.

"The affected personnel will forfeit $1-2 million in lifetime benefits, jeopardizing their household financial stability," according to the legal statement. "This decision also removes the airmen and their dependents of eligibility for military health insurance, the armed forces healthcare plan, which would have provided access to private medical services in addition to Veterans Administration centers."

Wider Background

The legal challenge came amid the most recent intensification by the former administration to prohibit transgender people from joining the military and to discharge those already serving. The Pentagon has argued that trans individuals are not medically qualified, something civil rights activists have pushed back on and say represents illegal discrimination.

In March, a US district judge halted Trump's executive order prohibiting transgender people from military service. Federal judge Ana Reyes in Washington DC ruled that the directive likely infringed upon their fundamental rights. Pentagon officials have said in the past that four thousand two hundred service members were identified as having "gender identity disorder", which they use as an marker of being transgender.

USAF Regulations

The Air Force, however, has stood apart in its implementation of regulations that go beyond just discharging personnel from armed forces duty. As well as rescinding early retirement benefits, the branch implemented a new policy in August to refuse trans personnel the opportunity to argue before a military review board for the authorization to continue serving.

The latest legal challenge, the most recent in a series, is challenging that regulation.

Court Requests

According to the court documents, the "claimants' pension authorizations remain valid and effective". Their attorneys are calling for these "orders to be reinstated" and pushing for "service documents be amended accordingly". The lawsuit also says "interest, legal expenses and attorney's fees" must be accounted for and "further relief as the court deems fair and appropriate."

"The military taught me to lead and fight, not withdraw," stated Ireland, who has 15 years of service. "Removing my retirement sends the message that those principles only apply on the front lines, not when a service member needs them most."