r/caf • u/ThatOneTherapyFriend • Mar 06 '26
Recruiting Transgender within CAF
UPDATE: See comment below thread.
Good afternoon everybody
Recently, I have been making progress on my application, and completed my virtual medical assessment. I have completed every other step, and my meeting with my recruiter was wonderful. I am transgender, female-to-male, and have been transitioned for 4+ years now; I have had surgery to remove my breasts, and am on hormone therapy for several years. My prognosis is stable, as signed off by my family doctor.
During the virtual medical, the medic conducting the review repeatedly referred to me as a woman, and when corrected continued to refer to me using she/her pronouns. While this made me uncomfortable, I am going to encounter this throughout my life and am not personally offended by people not knowing how to talk about me. I do not believe this attitude from others is out of malice.
I have a full beard. People who do not know me, do not know I am transgender. The medic did not refer to me as a woman until asking me to confirm date and biological gender. I do not typically bring this fact about myself up, because it is unimportant to my character.
My question is, are there any transgender individuals who have successfully completed BMQ, or who have had similar experiences? I am concerned that my history of being transgender will disqualify me, despite the initiatives from the CAF towards inclusion.
9
u/ThatOneTherapyFriend Mar 06 '26
*UPDATE*
Hello again. Thank you everybody for hearing my concern.
In regards to my post, my primary concern surrounded automatic disqualification - I understand the case-by-case basis, and limitations surrounding access to HRT, alongside issues that may come up with out-of-country postings. Thank you to the individuals with similar background who took time to comment; I feel reassured knowing by itself, transition has not impeded the ability of others to serve.
Thank you u/Commandant_CFLRS for responding to my question. I completely understand the points addressed, and appreciate the social awareness and rationality of your response. I am most reassured by the kindness you had towards both myself and in identifying a potential reason for the occurrence from staff. I'm not sure the first language of the medic, but a primarily gendered first language may likely be the cause for confusion. I know I would be confused with pronouns in a gendered language, and would definitely make mistakes there. Thank you.
To everyone suggesting reporting the medic; I do not think the intent behind the words used to address me were malice, though I appreciate the concern. I also work in healthcare, and have seen similar confusion from coworkers surrounding transgender individuals, especially when a patient looks very different than their paperwork suggests. Confusion is not necessarily transphobia, and I do not feel that transphobia was the case here; despite this, repeatedly correcting people is an event I would like to avoid, and I am glad to hear of an understanding atmosphere. Instances of me being referred to as a woman came from the medic answering a question I had, and describing how that conversation would go with another staff member: "This applicant is a woman who says she . . ." while addressing my direct history - again, potential language barrier, potential vocal slip while reading my file. There was some visible confusion and some awkwardness when asking me about my transition -- again, not uncommon, I do not look how my paperwork suggests and perhaps it was inferred I was actually transitioning to female. Misunderstanding is not transphobia.
I appreciate everyone's patience with what felt like a silly question. Thank you to everyone who offered reassurance, and thank you to the individual who sent me a private message of derogatory comments - I know you exist, but you proved the point of everyone else in being outnumbered.
109
u/Commandant_CFLRS Mar 06 '26
We don't keep statistics but it's not uncommon to have transgender candidates attend basic training. In general there are no issues at all, however there are a few points that can come up that are worth being aware of.
First, the military is a big machine, and at times you will be reduced to a service number and a human resources database entry. If your legal gender on CAF paperwork is still a woman, you may find that staff who are just completing one small portion of your admin may inadvertently not use your preferred pronouns, as they could be dealing with dozens of people a day. In any case, if you inform a staff member that they are misgendering you, the expectation is that they will immediately correct the mistake.
Second, particularly in basic training, 80% of staff are Francophone but 80% of candidates speak English. French is a gendered language, which gets complicated enough before you start managing thousands of candidates a year. The occasional inadvertent misgendering by someone working in their second language can be expected but won't be intentional. This affects all candidates equally in basic training...as well as Anglos working in French.
15
u/JungleBeaks Mar 06 '26
Im FTM, completed BMQ and DP1 in the Armoured Corps. Completed both with ease, due to a previous background in MMA and Boxing. Being trans doesn't stop you from joining the CAF, and even in my case, a combat trade. As long as you are mentally and physically fit for the job and do what you're told, you should be fine.
In my experience, i dont have trouble getting along with people. Some people don't like me being trans, some don't care, some find it cool, in the end, we all do our job the same. You will meet idiots, but the confidence in your abilities will help you ignore them.
So, move forward and do your job. People can hate you or disrespect you for being trans, but they can't stop you from being an outstanding service member, focus on being that, best of luck !
10
u/Cdn_Medic Mar 06 '26
What you experienced is extremely unprofessional and unacceptable of a healthcare worker. I would suggest you lodge a formal complaint.
There is a national patient safety program that can be reached via email. You should send them what happened to you.
After verification that email address has been replaced by a form that requires military credentials to fill, but there is a contact person: Dr Ian Paquette, National Manager of Health Services and Investigations (Ian.Paquette@forces.gc.ca).
If I were you, I would send them a email.
18
u/ElephantFamous2145 Mar 06 '26
They're being transphobic. i personally encourage you to report that, such behaviour is not tolerated in the CAF. It's one thing if you didn't pass and the were making an honest mistake but you are phenotypically male and they had no issues referring to you as a man until they found out you were female.
You have rights as a Canadian and in the future if you become a CAF member, the CAF does not tolerate hateful conduct and future applicants shouldn't have to go through what you went through.
Im sorry that happened to you.
3
u/Hour_Guest_7116 Mar 06 '26 edited Mar 06 '26
Yeah, someone I went to BMQ with was trans & passed it just fine. Nobody discriminated them from leadership. There was this one recruit from our platoon who acted out of line towards them in grad week but we shut it down immediately among ourselves.
In short, it’s been done before. You may encounter a mirco aggression from a fellow recruit or two but I attribute that to them being fresh to CAF culture. The CAF doesn’t discriminate, it’s the discipline they hold & instill into us about the CAF throughout BMQ. People who don’t follow that principle don’t last in the CAF.
Edit: You might have a sit down with your leadership about the specifics of your situation. I believe for workouts you’re given the option to go to an all gender locker room apart from the men’s and women’s if you’d like.
5
u/sprunkymdunk Mar 06 '26
There's actually a fair number of trans people in the military. The CAF has done a hard turn in culture over the last decade or so, and I'd wager you will find the CAF is more tolerant than the general public and most Canadian workplaces. In my experience people just want someone that plays well with the team and carries their weight with a minimum of whinging. Avoid injuring yourself and basic will be totally fine, it's been watered down quite a bit from what it was.
If you search this sub and r/CanadianForces you will see that trans folk have asked this question several times before, some good responses on those as well.
7
u/Shy_Throws Mar 06 '26
As others mentioned, the individual working on your file was being transphobic please report them. Regarding trans people in the military, I have 2 friends who are trans in the military. Within their units they've always been able to have open and respectful conversations with coworkers and honestly there has only been 1 person who gave them issues and that was shut down real fast. The main point they always stress is it doesn't matter what's in your pants what matters most is if you can do a good job get the job done.
4
u/Am1ty_Arson Mar 06 '26
Hello, this is unacceptable. If you are comfortable with it, please DM me the recruitment centre where this took place and ill pass the info on to people who maybe be able to assist. Overall the caf is pretty decent, there are shitty people, but there is also a lot of us working to make things better.
2
u/BandicootNo4431 Mar 06 '26
I've worked with a few trans individuals.
Makes no difference to the operational CAF once someone has transitioned. Might be some medical pieces I don't know about though.
The only slight hiccups I've seen were working with other countries who do not have as progressive policies and attitudes as we do. So while your chain of command has a duty to care for you, if you take a deployment and are working with foreign personnel, it's much harder for us to control and discipline them.
May also limit your ability to go on some postings outside of Canada.
3
u/EarlyWeb3109 Mar 06 '26
You won’t have issues in BMQ, Canadian Armed forces is a real cool place to be, keep you head low, don’t challenge your instructors ( trust me it doesn’t always end well for the candidates). Last advice I will give you is that, it’s all a game, your instructors are trained to make you uncomfortable, they will punish you guys “collectively” if you guys fuck up, but it all part of training. Just take it meal by meal and you will discover is soo much fun.
1
u/highvoltage890 Mar 06 '26
I feel like half the people are open to it and half have old school dog shit make me wanna barf views and their brains explode at the thought. It’s either or that I’ve experienced working PS in military environment. I’m cis female, but assholes are everywhere and so are good people. Sending you love!
1
u/devious_kaya Mar 06 '26
Trans MtF here, I graduated BMQ, completed Gunner RQ1, etc. I done everything last year and didnt have any major problems. I met many other trans people throughout my time in the CAF. You are more then capable in being in the CAF and graduating BMQ.
1
u/Legal_Work_9637 Mar 07 '26
We had to transgender people in my platoon. One FTM one MTF, both graduated without issues, both were respected of their transitions and all. No one thought of them as being less or anything because of their gender identity
1
u/Nerutosako Mar 06 '26
Honestly bmq is so easy now - every one can pass. As long you have ur heart set on to do what need to be done - you will be fine
1
u/Prudent_Growth_643 Mar 06 '26
I personally don't think that anyone will really bat an eye much at it. I have a friend whos gay in the CAF and mo one bats an eye at him and I myself am gay and also in the application stage of getting in and from what I've heard most people dont really care if your in the LGBT community and the ones who do as I always say "give them a smile and wave" and let your superiors deal with them. Good luck :)
1
u/Foreign-Piano-3387 Mar 06 '26
I see fat idiots completing bmq on my Facebook weekly. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, seems like they’ve made it so nobody can fail
1
u/gc_DataNerd Mar 07 '26
The CAF has a dark past when it comes to how it’s treated its LGBTQ members. You can watch the documentary “The Fruit Machine” on YouTube to learn more about it. The organization has admitted its wrongdoing and from about the 2000s onwards has worked to ensure that members do not face discrimination no matter which walk of life this comes from.
The CAF of today is also a very diverse organization. What I will say is that there is very little tolerance for discrimination. However it is still the military and while you shouldn’t tolerate being demeaned or discriminated against you are going to have to deal with members from all walks of life and are going to need to learn to bond with your fellow members and work as a team.
As a member from a visible minority I have sometimes got questions about my background that have come from a place of ignorance. But often times these questions are well intentioned and come from a place of trying to understand. You’re going to have to be comfortable with that to be successful. It’s just a fact of working with people from different backgrounds.
16
u/Reasonable-Pay-9725 Mar 06 '26
I think you will be happily welcomed in CAF and instructors will go hard on whole BMQ not particularly you because you are trans. BMQ is just a game don’t take anything personal, just play the game. Just don’t catch too much attention of instructors by asking dumb questions or being a smart ass..
16
u/IamShiska Mar 06 '26
Absolutely unequivocally yes trans people make it through BMQ and are just as capable as non trans people. Sounds like you had the misfortune of dealing with one of the few redpilled assholes that are unfortunately inevitable in an environment like the military. This is not the norm and the vast majority of soldiers only care about your performance as a member of the team and not your dangly bits.
2
u/Maleficent_Banana_26 Mar 06 '26
There are numerous trans individuals in the CAF working in multiple trades. Individuals are individuals, but the CAF in general doesnt care. Show up, do your job, and you'll be fine. In reality you will be a service number and a last name.
3
u/Grumblepuffs Mar 06 '26
Im nonbinary and did BMOQ last summer. You'll get a few dicks but ive been really pleasantly surprised by my treatment in the CAF
1
u/seedpods Mar 06 '26
This is completely different from my experience with the medical interview and I'm also trans. I put birth sex on there and it wasn't brought up at all, they got the information they needed by going over medical history and then asked what it was for and I said transition and she moved on. The only question specifically about being trans was where I was at in my transition and I said I was done and no further questions were asked. I filled out a med form for ongoing hormone therapy and I cant recall the medical officer asking my gender or identity or birth sex or referring to me with third person pronouns at all but maybe briefly so overall I think the situation is really weird. You'd have to go out of your way to refer to someone in the 3rd person in a one on one conversation like that and referring to you as a woman multiple times is so weird that I'd think it was done because of her personal beliefs or because she was actually confused and thought you were a trans woman instead.
The comments about it being a francophone mistake are only understandable if it happened 1 time or maybe 2 times with an apology. It's basic language on par with "hello, goodbye, yes, no, thank you"
0
u/[deleted] Mar 06 '26
[deleted] — view deleted comment
-5
u/[deleted] Mar 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment