I am Kristin Beck, Former U.S. Navy SEAL. I served as a member of the elite U.S. Special Operations – also ‘SEAL Team Six.’ In 2013, 18 months after retiring from active service, I came out publicly a transgender woman. AMA.

What are your thoughts on reducing the mortality rate amongst the transgender community? It seems like it is more dangerous to be transgendered (suicide + partner/dating violence) than it is to be a soldier.

THIS is the best question so far.

This is a problem and I wish so much that people, the haters, the bigots and the people who don't get "Transgender" would watch the film tonight or even watch or look up the info on the web.

The amount of violence against transgender women is atrocious and needs to stop. how do we do that? EDUCATE and INFORM each other. take a look around and learn something about each other and you will find that we are pretty cool and JUST LIKE YOU.

I pity the people who try to harass you.

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haha, you'd be surprised :)

BUT the harassment is mostly from behind a keyboard and anonymity of the internet

Will you wipe them the fuck out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this Earth?

People who harass me.... I will just try to share some of my story in some way to see if they are able to evolve further than cavemen who see the constant need to hate... If that doesn't work then I move on.

The haters will hate and all of that hate will catch up to them and be their demise.

He's referencing a piece of internet history. I can't say I know the full story, but there's a long paragraph that shows up every now and then that goes as follows:

"What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you little bitch? I’ll have you know I graduated top of my class in the Navy Seals, and I’ve been involved in numerous secret raids on Al-Quaeda, and I have over 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in gorilla warfare and I’m the top sniper in the entire US armed forces. You are nothing to me but just another target. I will wipe you the fuck out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this Earth, mark my fucking words. You think you can get away with saying that shit to me over the Internet? Think again, fucker. As we speak I am contacting my secret network of spies across the USA and your IP is being traced right now so you better prepare for the storm, maggot. The storm that wipes out the pathetic little thing you call your life. You’re fucking dead, kid. I can be anywhere, anytime, and I can kill you in over seven hundred ways, and that’s just with my bare hands. Not only am I extensively trained in unarmed combat, but I have access to the entire arsenal of the United States Marine Corps and I will use it to its full extent to wipe your miserable ass off the face of the continent, you little shit. If only you could have known what unholy retribution your little “clever” comment was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your fucking tongue. But you couldn’t, you didn’t, and now you’re paying the price, you goddamn idiot. I will shit fury all over you and you will drown in it. You’re fucking dead, kiddo."

Sorry for the wall of text, and thank you for the AMA!

Who wrote that paragraph above? Doesn't sound like a authentic "SEAL" sounds like a gamer who played CALL OF DUTY way way too much.

I'd like to know how your fellow SEALs have reacted to you being transgender, generally speaking. Have most been supportive or not? And was there one particularly positive reaction that sticks out the most for you?

The best response from my SEAL team commander was "I have known Chris for 20 years, that sister is my brother."

Meaning ONCE A SEAL always a SEAL

With the exception of Jesse Ventura.

Can you elaborate on your comment?

The comment about Jesse was a bit tongue in cheek... He kind of broke the SEAL code when he went after Chris Kyle and then after Chris was killed(trying to help someone with PTSD issues), Jesse further broke the code and continued the suit against the widow of Chris Kyle... that is just wrong.... but that is all just opinion and doesn't count for much.

essentially he was in a bar with chris kyle and said that navy seals need to die sometimes. this was right after chris and friends were remembering a fallen seal. Chris got up and allegedly punched the shit out of ventura. years later after Mr. Kyle's book came out, ventura sued his widow for all the money made by his book.

edit:

Alleged confrontation with Jesse Ventura[edit] In interviews with both the Opie and Anthony Show and Bill O'Reilly in January 2012, Kyle claimed to have punched former Minnesota Governor and Underwater Demolition Team member Jesse Ventura at a bar in Coronado, California in 2006 during a wake for Mike Monsoor, a Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient who had been killed in Iraq the same year. Kyle claimed that Ventura was "bad-mouthing the war, bad-mouthing (former President) Bush, bad-mouthing America" and that Ventura said the SEALs "deserved to lose a few guys".[19] In a subsequent interview, Ventura denied that he was punched by Kyle, saying that he never met Kyle nor even heard of him. Ventura adamantly denied saying any derogatory remarks about the military.[20] Ventura filed a lawsuit against Kyle for defamation.[21] After Kyle's death in February 2013, Ventura announced he would continue his lawsuit by adding Kyle's estate as a defendant.[22] On July 29, 2014, a jury awarded Ventura $1.8M.[23][24] On August 8, 2014, U.S. District Judge Richard H. Kyle, no relation to Chris Kyle, upheld the jury's award of $500,000 in defamation damages and $1,345,477.25 in "unjust enrichment" as, "reasonable and supported by a preponderance of the evidence." Attorneys for Kyle's estate said that the defamation damages would be covered by HarperCollins libel insurance. The unjust enrichment award was not covered by insurance and will come out of Kyle's estate assets. Following the verdict, HarperCollins announced it would pull the Ventura story from all future editions of the book.[25]

edit2:

well i was at all positive karma this thread but the tide went out and now i guess it is all downhill from here. sorry for whatever i did

Except it's bullshit.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/384176/justice-jesse-ventura-was-right-his-lawsuit-j-delgado

For more information, read the summary court docs. If you're going to voice an opinion, at least have some data to back it up.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/219635030/Jesse-Ventura-and-Taya-Kyle-s-Trial-Briefs

Very cool, thanks for posting what "really" happened according to the courts.

Man, I dunno what really happened. If I had to guess, based on my time in the military and the hours spent drunk as hell telling war stories with buddies, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

But hey, sound bites work. It's easier to believe that the crazy pro wrestler / conspiracy theorist / former Gov got his ass knocked out by a hero than it is to believe that the hero just made the whole thing up.

Anyway, good luck. I have a hell of a lot of respect for people who choose to live life on their own terms -- seems it's a lost quality.

right on... the truth was never really exposed. I know guys who were standing right there and what was said in court is not what they said happened. Its just too bad that Chris Kyles wife had to endure this after his death.. it should have been dropped.

[deleted]

Most people are far more bigoted in the abstract than they are with a real human being.

Thats very true... and people are way more bigoted and outright nasty on the internet and animosity of the web...

If I happen to meet a transgender former Navy SEAL at a bar, what pickup line should I use?

"I hear you're a master of camouflage and quick insertions..."

It sounds as if you are experienced?

I think we've all found ourselves in this situation at least once or twice, right?

haha, you're ok...

haha, just say hi and be respectful... be respectful just like you would to everyone you meet for the first time.

Totally, I'm especially respectful when it comes to people who can kill me...

So... uh... hi...

hi

Hope I don't come off as crass, am genuinely interested; when did you start 'feeling' like a woman? Before or after your SEAL career?

How, if any, did your Military service affect coming out as a transgender?

I was always like this and felt gender neutral maybe. In the end none of this really matters and we all need to chill out on the DIFFERENCES of each other and start thinking about who we are all the same... I am a human and deserve dignity and respect. Just like anyone else.

[deleted]

Very difficult, but we are getting there :) thank you

Lots of team guys saying you didn't go through Green Team and were a WARCOM LNO. Doubt it means much to the average reddit user but care to respond?

Green team is the top qualification for the "door kickers" and its true, I didn't do green team. I was recruited for a special job at the team and did that job.

How did your other Navy SEALs comrades react to this?

I have about 75% support on this journey and 100% support as a HUMAN and as a SEAL team brother.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to be part of the solution... I want to run for political office and try to help us get back on track as a country. I want to see the politicians start working TOGETHER instead of all this fighting on capitol hill that seems to be the norm.

What does that mean to you "getting back on track"? Please give some specifics.

For a year I was going through puberty as a "new" women. It's difficult attempting to live a "new" life. I found that I didn't need a new life, I just needed to adjust my old life. So now getting on track is me accepting who I am , as being beautiful in my own way. Not living the stereotypical Barbie life.

How long can you hold your breath underwater?

Four and a half minutes. Anyone can do this, it just takes practice.

Thanks for doing this AMA, and thank you VERY MUCH for serving in the US military! You're very brave in two VERY different ways, far braver than me!

Have you seen the movie, Zero Dark Thirty? Were you actually part of the operation depicted in it? How accurate was it? What was the biggest part of it that they got wrong?

I was there... didn't want to watch the movie as they seem to always glamorize things in Hollywood. WAR is not glamorous, BUT at the same time people need to see the story and know and understand what we are doing over and also understand the loss of life and sacrifice that we make as warriors.

How are you? I am a transgender too, for a long time, also in that grey area, and NJ father of 3 boys.

Very best of luck to you.

Thank you. Good luck to you. :)

What do you think of Chelsea Manning? Do you think her actions were reasonable considering the stresses of being transgender and in the military?

Thank you for your service.

BEING Transgender has nothing to do with CRIME or mental instability.

Chelsea Manning as a woman I like and would help her and her journey.

Pvt Manning that was in the military I do NOT like. A whistle blower would give up 100 documents and only the ones that were pointing out the problem. 700,000 documents that Pvt Manning "didn't read" was reckless. People died because of those documents that she had no idea what they contained.

do you think being Trans impacted your decision to join the military ?

No, I was born this way and on this journey.... I am a Sheepdog.

How do you feel about "mis-gendering", particularly by complete strangers (e.g. the checkout clerk at the local food-stuff place)? In a researched piece of journalism, close family/friends, etc it's important. As a trans woman myself I feel that many of my fellow trans people get way too hung up on what pronoun is or isn't used. Any thoughts on this?

I agree, we are to hung up on the "mistakes" that people make when using the wrong pronouns. It happens. BUT When a woman gets married and she takes on the husbands name, how long does it take for everyone to use that new name?

RESPECT

I'm a 16 year old kid, any advice on how to become a SEAL?

Advice for becoming a SEAL...

Rule number one: Take care of yourself! Again this is the number one. Don’t show up broken and injured to anything in life, if you do they will break you totally and you will not make it.

Wear the best running shoes you can afford, change them often, they wear out. Go to a running store and have them fit you to your foot and style of walking/running. Don’t run in boots, you will do that when you arrive.  Remember rule number one. To break your boots in... wear them into water till fully soaked then do light chores wearing them till they dry. Do this 3 times. Wear 2 pairs of socks when you do this to protect your feet(remember rule number one).

Your goals as a Target: Running down to 8 minutes per mile for 6-8 miles. Swimming get 2 miles in 60min wearing fins. (find some good slip on surface swim fins, not diving fins they are to stiff, you have to build up to stiff fins... remember rule number one). Run 3 times a week or swim 3 times a week, not both.
Did I ever tell you to REMEMBER rule number one, take care of yourself. If you need a couple days off then take them to recover, heal yourself. If you body is telling you something then listen…

Eat well, your body needs it.  They say eat a rainbow; meaning eat carrots, orange, lettuce green, meat brown, other foods yellow/red/purple etc. Most Americans eat brown all day every day, Mcdonalds and other junk...check it out, you will see how bad people eat.

Twice a week do this workout:  25 pull ups(if you can't do them in a row then drop down and then do them after you take a few seconds rest(GET 25 pull-ups), rest 4 min, then 80 push ups in 2min, rest 4 min, then 80 sit-ups in 2 min then run 2 miles in 16 minutes.

Read the books: "A Message to Garcia" (do the job don't ask to many questions, figure it out) "The Ranger Handbook", (pay attention to small unit tactics and leadership) "The Moon is a harsh Mistress", (leadership and how to organize...) "Defense of duffer drift" (memorize this book.... if you ever want to go.) "The soldiers Load" Enders Game(good grand tactics and fun easy read, movie... not so much.)

One last note: Be able to read a map and use a compass, use a pace count and contour navigation skills. If you don’t know what these are then look them up and practice with a friend in a national forest near you. When out doing practice long range navigation always have a plan and leave that plan with a friend who can “rescue” you if needed.

NEVER QUIT…. YOU CAN DO IT… YOU CAN DO ANYTHING (I did).

You said in your video you love your shoes. What's your favorite pair and style? (stilettos, open toe, platform)

It has been a very fast transition since I've started this journey. I joke that last year in my teens I was into high-heels and fashion. A year later I think of myself in my 30's and I'm into flats. Next year in my 40's I'll probably be into flip-flops and jeans like my GF. As far as designers go my favorite is DVF.

Hi there! I saw that you posted a photo on Twitter of you standing in front of the Team One sign. Was it known as "No Fun One" when you were there, or is that something that has evolved since? Also, what do you think about integrating women into the Teams? Thank you for doing an AMA! I am enjoying reading your responses.

I think allowing women to join the teams is good as long as the standard remains the same. Lowering the standard is not good, it is there for a reason to select the best.

How has being transgendered impacted your SEAL physique and muscle memory? Could you still do the things SEALS are required to do? On a more personal note, what has your dating life been like recently?

Muscle memory will always be there, we call it instincts. Physically I do fine but have some loss of strength and definition, but doesn't that happen to all of us as we get older.

I have a girlfriend named Heather and she is awesome!

Cant wait to watch your documentary tonight. When I grew up, nobody knew how to deal with anyone who was transgender even though there has been a few in the small town of 1200 over the years. Do you think schools should address it? What is the best way to make people understand more. (Desert Storm veteran who learned more about the world through the military and shed the small town thinking years ago) Proud of you!

Schools NEED to address the issue of mental wellness of EVERYONE. If a kid is transgender then that is something that if addressed will help that kid deal with him or herself in a productive way instead of being unhappy. The suicide rate and bullying is out of sight and its because IT IS NOT ADDRESSED. Talk to each other and learn who we are.

I just want to say, thank you for your service! My question, what was your favorite place you visited while on deployment?

Petra Jordan by far my favorite.

How can I support you and people like you on their journeys?

Just be nice. If you have questions for them then ask, always be respectful and they will answer. :)

I met a former MP and general bad-ass who was a Vietnam-Vet and she had known all her life that she was transgendered. Bob became Bobbie after the war and was a great nurse at the rehab center my uncle (who was a Navy pilot) was recuperating at. My question to you is is there something about the military that appeals to transgendered people? Given my admittedly limited knowledge, many transgendered (formerly male) people seem to move from one extreme to another (very masculine to very feminine) as far as picking a gender. I'm I mistaken about this?

As a transwomen I wanted to control and bottle up my feelings... the military is a good place to go. Transmen go into the military as its a great place to go and be at least a "tom boy" and even get medals for being a "tom boy."

Many of us join because we feel a patriotic duty to serve our country...

I am doing my PhD research on trans identities within policing and I know you had to overcome a lot being in a masculine profession. Do you believe working in a hyper-masculine profession makes it harder for trans feminine identities?

Also, based on your opinion, what additional changes do you believe the military can incorporate to help other trans individuals in the future?

Oh...and keep on rocking girl and I can not thank you enough for serving and fighting for fellow Americans like myself.

you should email me.... www.ladyvalor.com

Are you pretty much still a bad ass? I don't know why I think this, but it seems like anyone who was as much of a bad ass to make it as a SEAL, will be a bad ass for life.

Also, thanks for your service, and best of luck to you with your journey!!

Intellectually yes...

How are you doing?

I am doing better every day as I am on a mission of PEACE now and I hope to help the next generation fix some of the mistakes of our past as a person, country and world... we can all do better.

How hard was it to come out to your friends and do they treat you differently now? Thank you.

It was a huge deal and many of them treat me different at first, but then they realize that I am the same person and we are back to just being "brothers."

First off, thank you for your services. I'm not sure what seems scarier, becoming a SEAL or coming out in a world that seems so quick to hate anyone or anything that's different... If we miss the Doc on CNN will there be another way to see it? Will it be on netflix or iTunes??

I'm being told if you are on the east coast it will re-air midnight eastern time. As far as we know it will not be available on Netflix or iTunes.

What was the most difficult part of seal training?

HELL WEEK was a difficult week

Hello, thanks for doing this AMA. Could you share your feelings on the whole Jessie Ventura VS Chris Kyle thing? Do you or did you know either of them?

I know them both. Chris was a good friend and a great person. Jesse was famous, and didn't really interact with us young SEALs.

It is shameful that this whole thing happened and I no longer consider Jesse a part of the "frog family." He should have dropped the law suit after Chris was killed.

Hooyah shipmate. Proud of what you are doing. Since it's a AMA here is my question. Glock or beretta?

neither... Berretta breaks when you shoot over 4000 rounds and Glock is clunky. SIG is my choice pistol

Do you still wear aviators and think you are badass?

Im not Tom Cruise...

Have you every been through an helicopter crashes during your service? If so, how many?

One

It's awesome that you are willing to be this kind of fantastic role model, but how do you deal with all the attention to your person? Do a lot of people reach out to you for advice?

TONS of people reach out and I feel obligated to answer them all and I get wrapped up so deep in answering everyone else that I can't live my own life... I am finding balance. :)

Kristin, as a mtf transgender myself, you inspire me. SO much.

I am completely out, but I'm unable to really make any progress where I live. When I go out dressed I am afraid. People have been rude and I can sense their judgment of me. My question: What were the first initial steps you took when you began to transition? What would you suggest to other mtf individuals who are starting?

Thank you.

Advice for how to start?
1st: Just take your time. 2nd: find some friends and get help. Help each other and be nice to each other.

Were you on the mission that killed Osama?

The entire US Military was on that mission since 9-11.

What was your regular workout routine for the Seal Program? And do you still have the same level of fitness?

there are a number of programs. but it was never enough.... you can never be good enough, you have to be better.

I am not as fit as I used to be, getting older :)

What type of firearms did you regularly carry? I hear SEAL's have a fair bit of flexibility when it comes to choosing weapons to take with them on missions.

Sig 226 still as a retired SEAL and my CAR-15 and 870

Who would you say was your most important supporter during your transition?

And thank you so much, you're an inspiration for all us trans people.

Back in my military days on active duty it was an Ex-girlfriend of mine... she was awesome and was a rock in my life for about five years when I was still active duty.

NOW it is my best friend and partner, my new girlfriend that is sitting right here beside me... My family is also a great supporter of mine.

what are you going to do now since your transition?

I'm currently getting my Masters in International Relations. After that I'd like to move on to Politics. I really want to be part of the solution.

What is your take on trangender people openly serving in the military? Do you believe that the military should be blind to gender as long as a person can pass the required tests, or do you think the government should continue to preclude a person from certain roles due to their gender?

As a trans woman myself I wanted to thank you for having the conviction to keep yourself in the public eye after your started your transition.

Meeting the qualifications is the most important thing. There are 13 countries that accept transgender people in the armed forces... we should follow their example and take a look at how they did it.

Hi Kristin, big fan. I'm a trans woman and a former SF operator out of ACo 1/3 SFG (and I'm a little jealous that you beat me to writing a book!)

Anyway, on to the question: since transitioning I've found that the way I'm treated and the things I care about have made a fairly drastic shift in my political views and I'm wondering have you experienced anything similar? That's pretty much it. Keep fighting the good fight. De Oppresso Liber.

I am still me and have many of the same views, but finding that I am learning many new things and getting more experience and with that experience I am becoming a more rounded person.

Do seal candidates really have to stay awake for days at a time? If so that's intense.

Yes, 6 days.... it was tough, but doable

Would you write a biography?

I have written once, but that turned out badly due to a contract.... lesson for me was to have a lawyer always read a contract before you slgn.

I have another book that I give away for free with a donation to the anti-bully campaign and the other work I am doing. www.ladyvalor.com

Do you know any other transgender former military people? Because I met an Army Sgt. when I was working at a hotel and he looked like the quasi-Hunter S Thompson character from Venture Bros and was going to become a transgender woman while in the military while he was still in the military and get on Opera...I don't watch Opera so I have no idea if that worked out for him...

I was just at a conference and we had room of 80 prior military people who were transgender.... there are a lot of us and its no big deal. We are just people and want to be alive and happy, just like anyone else.

Are you attracted to other transgender women?

I really am attracted to people and intellect and attitude and the spirit of a person.... I met someone very special that just sees me as "me"

How do you prefer to deal with phony SEAL/s or stolen valor in general?

Stolen Valor and Fake SEALs is very disappointing to me. I wish people would be happy with their life and what they do. If they are unhappy with their life or what their job is then change jobs OR go out and DO SOMETHING. There are so many issues in this world that you could help solve. Jody Williams started an campaign to end LAND MINES. She was a house wife form New England.. she saw a problem and started a campaign to FIX It. She won a NOBLE PEACE PRIZE for her work.

Did you do tai chi in your training and if so, can you tell us a little about it?

I did a lot of mixed martial arts during training as all of us do.

So what does a retired SEAL do for kicks? It seems like everyday life would be so... dull.

I play XBOX with my girl friend... we stayed up all night after the release of Diablo :)

I am also working on my masters degree

Saw your screening yesterday! I am a gay man that served 18.5 years closeted in the military. I was inspired by your story. When I got out, I was initially so uncomfortable in the gay world because while I was gay, my time in the military still clouded my thinking in ways. Do you feel more comfortable being yourself, a trans woman, around the LGBT community or among your accepting military friends?

great question... I am comfortable around my FRIENDS, in the LGBT comity and my SEAL brothers. Just be with friends and be good to each other.

It always gets better, but you have to start somewhere.

So, I don't know if this is too personal, and if it is I totally understand. How are your sons (and family) handling this? This being your coming out very publically with a lot of subsequent media attention.

I'm working on it, raising kids is a challenge for everyone... I need to work more on that challenge and try to make it right.

I'd like to know what was it that finally clicked and made you say "it's time to be me"?

I was retired and had no holds on me... I was living a double life and got tired of hiding. So I did it. The time was just right.

Hello Kristin, i was wondering what you thought about females joining as SEALs. Do you think it will happen by 2016?

There are women serving with honor in many parts of the military... there are women that were in the trenches right beside me. Currently there are Not any women "SEALs" and I doubt that women will be SEALs by 2016... but it will happen... one day.

Trans supportive big ol' country dyke here-congrats on an exemplary career, life, love.

Have the attitudes of any of the republican base (the evangelical crazy pants who love Jesus {as I do and many of us do} and think that He might want them to at least give you a really hard time) made you worry? Also, I am going to pore over your comments about the SEALs. Would you care to share the strangest way you ever procurred and prepared some food while deployed?

Warmest wishes and godspeed

cooking spaghetti over a 4 hour period of time.... just put it in water and let it get soft and mushy then add ketchup.... meal fit for a SEAL. and good enough if thats all you got.

Do you ever feel like you are just a man pretending to be a woman?

I feel more like a Human trying to be a Human.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a good trans ally but is confused when trans identities sometimes intersect with traditional, queer-phobic gender identities?

http://www.transchristians.org/trans-101/trans-101-ally

How do you rationalize to yourself that the US doesn't fight defensive wars? "War is a racket"- General Butler

The best defense is offense SOMETIMES..... is there such thing as a "JUST WAR" ???? that question has been being asked since the beginning of time.

WE as a WORLD need to COOPERATE instead of compete as nations. WE can all win... there needs to be no losers.

I want to work on this question..... give me some time :)

First off, cant thank you enough for your service. Navy SEALs are the highest respected people in the world to me. I'll be getting an option 40 once I graduate college in the spring an attempt to be an army ranger. Any advice for someone trying to join the special ops community?

If you have doubts then you already have failed. Positive attitude, hard work, and confidence in everything you do is the only way you're going to be successful at anything.

Did you ever think about coming out as transgendered before?

All things happen in there time... I may have thought about it every day of my life, but it happened when it had to happen.

How many tacos can you eat in one sitting?

African or European?

This may be a hot topic especially for a SEAL, but what is your opinion on the whole Chris Kyle Jesse Ventura ordeal? Granted it's over with I'd like to see a SEALs perspective. Also thanks for your service!

I'm pissed off about that law suit and the whole thing between Jesse Ventura and Chris Kyle. If I saw Jesse I would like to knock him out with one punch, face to face NOT like a sucker with a knife in the back of a brother... but I am nicer than that and would just walk away from him...

What goes through your mind when enemy attacks ? IS IT JUST KILL OR DIE AND KEEP THE PEOPLE SAFE

when the wolves are running toward the flock, what do they do? I feel that I am a sheepdog and helping the shepherd... I will defend life liberty and justice... I do my job to help the human race survive... if there were no sheepdogs then the wolves will take over. Check the news. There are bad people out there that will kill you just for being you. I will defend those who are unable to defend for themselves!

How did your family react? Also, what was the most positive thing you heard and most negative? Thanks!

It's a process. At first disturbed, and then they began to understand this is my life and I earned their respect. Just like any journey we start out crawling, then walk and then run. Coming out for me was a 40 something year process, for them it was that day.

The most positive is you have a beautiful soul. To me that is the most important part of someone. I don't want people to focus on my physical features.

The most negative was a punch to the back of the head and then waking up to 4 people kicking me on the ground.

How many missions did you go on during your service?

too many missions.... MY most difficult mission is right now and just trying to live a happy life.
I have been given a very difficult challenge in this life and many of you are seeing some of that challenge in the film "LADY VALOR".... we all have challenges and need to just do our best. I am doing my best.

Wait so you still date girls? I don't get it.

Im attracted to HUMANS

First off I would like to say I'm supportive you and your goal. I do have a few questions though.

What made you want to change genders? I know usually it's because they identify themselves as the other gender. Could you elaborate on what made you feel this way, and why?

How would you respond to the statement, "You should be happy in your own natural body?" I've heard people say this before but I'm just curious as to what you think.

Has life in the military been difficult or brought up unique problems for you?

Do you think our government should handle transgenders any differently then they do now?

What would you do if you were attacked by a group of adorable vampire ducklings?

Thank you for your support and nothing made me want to change genders, this is how I was born and always felt. I am much happier now being able to express my true self, the way I have always felt. The military is the military and I was focused on the missions at hand. I feel that we as humans should all be treated equal and be held accountable for the job they can do not how they look. What would you do?

First of all thank you for your service. As someone who is about to quit their job to join the military. Special operations peeks my interests..such as navy seals. Did you get to travel around the globe?

Yes, five times around the world... every continent except Antarctica... good times :)

You can do this in the Peach Corps also

What is your favorite dinosaur?

Barney

I am genuinely curious how happy you are with your new um hardware. Does it work like a normal vagina? Can you experience orgasm still? Do you ever miss your um old hardware?

Very personal question... :(

What are your thoughts on today's military?

We have some work to do....