He plans to have surgery to remove breasts before treatment ends in 2017

A 20-year-old transgender marine will be one of the first to be formally recognized by his command as a man after the U.S. military lifted a ban on those serving.

Lance Corporal Aaron Wixson, from Tulsa in Oklahoma, enlisted as a marine in 2014 when he was still identifying as a woman, CNN reports.

After years of discomfort, Wixson was this year diagnosed with gender dysphoria - a disorder that sees a person identify differently to the gender they were born.

Transgender Lance Corporal Aaron Wixson, 20, enlisted as a marine in 2014 when he was still living as a woman but will soon be recognized as a man by the U.S military after treatment

Soon after, the field artillery radar operator informed his command that he was transgender and, with their help, started hormone replacement treatment within the military healthcare system.

Wixson is now aiming to have surgery to remove his breasts before his hormone treatment ends in May next year.

Under a new military policy that came into effect in October, Wixson can change his name and gender in the Defense database and start dressing like a man when his treatment plan is complete.

'I'm really grateful to be able to serve openly in the Marine Corps as transgender,' he told CNN. 'When you get to be yourself you're a much more effective member of the team.

Wixson, who grew up as a girl named Arielle (left), started hormone replacement treatment within the military healthcare system earlier this year

Under a new military policy that came into effect in October, Wixson can change his name and gender in the Defense database and start dressing like a man when he finishes treatment

Wixson said he struggled growing up before he was diagnosed with gender dysphoria because he always wanted to dress as a boy and loved playing all types of sports

Wixson, who was born a girl named Arielle, said he struggled growing up because he always wanted to dress as a boy.

He came out as a lesbian in high school thinking that would resolve his struggles.

The marine said his family and military colleagues have been supportive of his decision to under the gender transition.

The Department of Defense overturned a ban on transgender service back in June.

'Transgender Americans may serve openly, and they can no longer be discharged or otherwise separated from the military just for being transgender,' Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at the time.

He also announced that transgender-related care and medical treatment would be covered under the military's heath care plans.