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Seventeen seventeen trans US Air Force members has filed a lawsuit against the former president's government for revoking their premature retirement benefits and related entitlements.

Court Action Filed in Federal Court

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

This lawsuit follows the Air Force's announcement that it would revoke premature pension benefits to all transgender service members with 15-18 years of armed forces service, a decision that essentially forces them out of the armed forces without pension benefits.

"The Air Force's own retirement instruction states that pension authorization may only be revoked under extremely restricted conditions, none were applicable in this case," declares the lawsuit.

Claimants and Financial Impact

Among the listed claimants are Master Sergeant Ireland, Ashley Davis, Staff Sergeant Brimhall and Lindell Walley.

Civil rights organizations acting for the affected service members stated that the revocation of early retirement support had eliminated economic security and benefits these families were counting on after many years of distinguished service to their country.

"These service members will lose $1-2m in lifetime benefits, threatening their families' economic security," per the official declaration. "The action also strips the airmen and their families of access to TRICARE, the armed forces healthcare plan, which would have provided access to civilian health care providers beyond VA facilities."

Broader Context

The legal challenge came amid the most recent intensification by the former administration to ban trans individuals from joining the military and to discharge those already serving. The Pentagon has claimed that transgender people are not medically qualified, something civil rights activists have strongly contested and say constitutes unlawful bias.

In spring, a federal judge blocked the former president's directive banning trans individuals from military service. Federal judge Ana Reyes in the nation's capital determined that the directive likely violated their constitutional rights. Defense Department representatives have stated in the past that 4,200 military personnel were diagnosed with "gender identity disorder", which they use as an marker of being transgender.

Air Force Policies

The Air Force, however, has distinguished itself in its enforcement of policies that go beyond just separating troops from armed forces duty. As well as rescinding premature pension benefits, the branch implemented a recent regulation in late summer to deny trans personnel the right to argue before a military review board for the right to continue serving.

The most recent lawsuit, the latest in a string, is contesting that regulation.

Legal Demands

Per the court documents, the "claimants' pension authorizations remain legally binding". Their legal team are calling for these "orders to be reinstated" and pushing for "their military records be corrected appropriately". The lawsuit also says "accrued interest, costs and attorney's fees" must be accounted for and "additional compensation as the judiciary deems just and proper."

"Armed forces taught me to command and combat, not retreat," stated Master Sergeant Ireland, who has 15 years of service. "Stripping away my retirement sends the message that those principles only matter on the front lines, not when a military member needs them most."