Responding on President Donald Trump's announcement to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said that till date, he has not received any "directives on implementation" for the same.
"We learned about the President's decision through the media and will work through the implementation guidance when we get it and then we'll move from there," Milley said, while speaking at the National Press Club.
"We have to obey a chain of commands and my command is Secretary of Army and Secretary of defence and President Donald Trump, adding that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford will act only when we will receive written directives on military's transgender policy".
"There will be no modifications to the current policy until the president's direction has been received by the secretary of defense and the secretary has issued implementation guidance," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford wrote in a letter.
The Pentagon has asked the White House for a written directive spelling out its intentions and directions on transgender policy so the military can begin implementing guidance, according to a defense official with direct knowledge.
"In the meantime, entire force will always will and should treat every single soldier and marine with dignity and respect," MIlley said.
Trump tweeted Wednesday that transgender individuals would no longer be allowed to enlist or serve in the military.
"After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military," Trump said in a series of tweets.
Adding, "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.
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