After serving their country with honor for 15, 16, or even 17 years, transgender service members in the U.S. Air Force are now being told: you get nothing.

This month, the Air Force confirmed it would deny early retirement benefits to all transgender service members being separated under the Trump administration’s revived ban on trans troops. Those with 15 to 18 years of service will not be allowed to retire early — a benefit that has long been offered to others in the same position. Instead, they’ll be forced out of uniform and left with a single lump-sum payout typically offered to junior troops. And for many, even that comes after a sudden reversal of earlier promises that they could retire with dignity.

These are Americans who gave everything — including nearly two decades of their lives — only to be told they’re no longer welcome. Worse, the Air Force admits that not one exception to this policy was approved, even after dozens applied. Every single transgender Airman is being separated, and none are being allowed to finish out their careers with the full retirement benefits they earned.

The Pentagon says it’s treating those impacted “with dignity and respect.” But transgender troops who spoke out said the process is anything but respectful — describing it as “dehumanizing,” “open cruelty,” and a betrayal of their service. Many are being forced to revert their service records to match their birth gender. Others are walking away from careers they built with honor, pride, and discipline — for a country now shutting the door behind them.

We are calling on the U.S. Congress, the Department of Defense, and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to immediately reverse this policy and grant early retirement to transgender service members who served 15+ years. Equality cannot mean “everyone but you.” These service members earned more than a payout — they earned a future.

Add your name if you believe that transgender veterans deserve the same respect, dignity, and benefits as every other American who wore the uniform.