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The Republic | azcentral.com

President Trump’s supporters are fond of saying they sent him to Washington to shake things up.

But even those who relish the chaos he sows should recognize that stability and consistency are essential when dealing with the U.S. military.

These are not toy soldiers.

Our military is made up of real men and women who risk their lives for the country. Men and women who understand the importance of order.

They know it is the enemy you are supposed to confuse. Not your own troops.

The enemy’s generals are supposed to be left guessing. Not your own top brass.

There were no problems to fix

Trump’s hastily announced ban on transgender troops in July and his follow-through on Friday failed those basic requirements.

His actions also failed the common decency test.

Americans – especially young Americans – have moved beyond the old hang-ups about gender identity.

There is a broad acceptance of the fact that we should respect and appreciate those who want to serve their country.

MONTINI:Trump's transparent transgender trick

Trump’s policy change was not based on any demonstrated problems caused by the small number of transgender troops in our military.

To the contrary, evidence is on the side of these troops.

Tremendous costs? Hardly

Trump said the U.S. military could not afford “tremendous medical costs and disruption” created by transgender troops.

This nonsense argument goes against the facts.

A Rand Corp. report prepared for the Secretary of Defense in 2016 found that medical costs and surgery for transgender military personnel would range from $2.4 million to $8.4 million a year – out of a total military medical budget of in excess of $6 billion.

For comparison: The Navy Times reported that the military spent $84.2 million on erectile dysfunction medication in 2014.

As for the alleged “disruption” caused by transgender troops: The Rand study also found that allowing transgender people to serve openly in the military would “have no significant impact on unit readiness.”

On June 30, 2016, President Obama’s defense secretary, Ashton Carter, announced that transgender Americans could serve openly in the military.

Military decisions should be based on facts

Carter's decision, which was still under final review, was based on research and facts. It built on the 2011 repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which had banned openly homosexual and bisexual individuals from serving.

Lifting the ban on transgender troops represented a continued movement toward judging those who want to serve our country based on ability and character, rather than sexual orientation.

That movement was the result of careful research and thoughtful consideration of the facts. Americans expect that from our military.

Trump’s July tweet announcing the military would no longer “accept or allow” transgender troops to serve “in any capacity” was an affront to that kind of military order.

It took U.S. military top brass by surprise. At least, that’s what top military officials said. The president insists he did make his decision after “consultation.”

It’s not the first time Trump’s version of what happened didn’t square with what others had to say.

This edict is hateful - and it's wrong

On Wednesday, reports said the White House was preparing a directive to implement the change. Details emerged by bits and pieces as the news media did its job and ferreted out information.

Those in the military were left to wonder about their future or the future of their fellow soldiers. They were left in doubt. Demoralizing doubt.

On Friday, Trump made it official, though details were still thin. A White House official who briefed reporters did not say how the policy would impact those currently serving.

Trump’s order bars medical treatment for transgender soldiers currently serving, and would bar the Pentagon from recruiting transgender soldiers.

This is based on bigotry and born of the kind of chaotic destruction that delights Trump’s followers.

But it does not reflect the sort of just, evidence-based and thoughtful decision-making a free people should demand from the commander in chief of a superpower military.

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