Army revokes reprimand against chaplain for defending existing DOD transgender policy: lawyers

Two months after receiving a potentially "career-ending" reprimand for defending the Department of Defense's prohibition on enlistment of troops receiving hormone treatment for gender dysphoria, a Fort Hood chaplain has been restored to his prior status, his lawyers said.

The Army rescinded the General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) against Maj. Andrew Calvert following an appeal from his lawyers at the First Liberty Institute. "The decision clears the way for Chaplain Calvert's record to be cleared, resulting in the possibility of future promotions and assignments," the public interest law firm said.

First Liberty said its general counsel was told of the reversal "both orally and in writing" but told Just the News it does not have "approval" to share documentation of it.

Calvert left a comment on an Army Times Facebook post alleging that newly inaugurated President Biden planned to reverse the Trump administration policy, which was still in force. He defended the policy as recognizing "reality" and called service members with gender dysphoria "mentally unfit" to serve.

His superiors subsequently received Facebook messages pointing to that comment and Calvert's other social media posts, including "11 reasons why Christians should vote for Trump" and an article about a former lesbian "set free from sexual sin."

The investigative report leading to his GOMOR said he shouldn't have worn his uniform in his Facebook profile photo and found that he made discriminatory comments based on gender identity, based on the "impact" they caused. He also engaged in partisan political activity, it claimed.

"I am grateful for this favorable decision, and I look forward to continue meeting the spiritual needs of the soldiers with whom I serve," Calvert said in the statement released by First Liberty. 

"The Command completed a thorough and impartial investigation and took appropriate action," III Corps (Fort Hood) deputy spokesperson Maj. Gabriela Thompson told Just the News in an email. "In accordance with long-standing Army policy and to protect the privacy of the service member concerned, we will not provide any additional details regarding personnel or administrative action."