Master Sergeant Logan Ireland serves in the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) as a Special Agent at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. In his current position, Logan works to identify, neutralize, and exploit threats to the United States. Logan leads over a dozen Special Agents across 16 countries as they conduct counterintelligence operations to keep America safe from terrorist activity worldwide. He has completed multiple overseas tours in Afghanistan, Qatar, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Logan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Military Studies with dual concentrations in Strategic Leadership and Joint Warfare. He is also a graduate of the US Army Air Assault School. Logan is an accomplished leader within the U.S. Air Force who happens to be transgender.

Logan is one of an estimated 15,000 transgender service members currently serving in our US Armed Forces whose critical skills in securing our nation’s national defense are endangered by president-elect Donald Trump’s threat to fire all transgender service members “on day one.” The removal of highly trained members of the military jeopardizes national security at a time when terrorist threats and growing tensions around the world are a genuine and imminent threat both overseas and here at home. It would be irresponsible in the extreme to remove these highly trained military technicians at a time when they are most needed.

As the nation’s oldest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender veterans service organization, American Veterans for Equal Rights strongly urges the president-elect to reconsider his decision to remove transgender service members from our armed forces. Dedicated and highly skilled military professionals like Master Sergeant Logan Ireland should be honored for their service and valued for the critical contributions they make in defending our nation’s freedom and protecting our citizens from the threat of attack. Transgender soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen, and guardians stand guard around the world with dedication, skill, and perseverance just like every other member of the armed forces. In the interest of fairness, respect, and our nation’s defense, we urgently recommend that they continue to do so.