Navy Veteran Elliott Ratner Talks Trans Policy

Elliott James Ratner, a Navy veteran and former linguist, shares his powerful journey from a psychology major at Michigan State University to a commissioned lieutenant in the Navy JAG Corps, while navigating a profound personal transition as a transgender man. After enlisting in 2012 during a recession, Ratner was drawn to the Navy’s linguist program, where he trained in Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California—a grueling, high-pressure environment with a 20% attrition rate. Over a decade of service, including critical work in naval intelligence under dual control of the Navy and NSA, he earned the trust of his command and pursued law school through the GI Bill while working full-time. His dream of becoming an officer was realized through the highly competitive JAG Corps In-Process Procurement Program, which he finally secured on his fourth attempt in 2022. However, his path was complicated by his transition: he came out as transgender in 2020, during the first Trump trans ban, and only felt safe to pursue his commission after President Biden’s 2021 executive order allowed open service. Ratner became the first openly transgender person commissioned into the Navy JAG Corps, excelling in fitness, leadership, and mental health programs. His career was cut short in 2025 when the new Trump administration reinstated a trans ban, forcing him to resign just before the policy’s implementation. Despite the uncertainty, he received an honorable discharge and remains proud of his service and advocacy for trans military inclusion. The episode underscores the resilience of trans service members and the devastating impact of political policy on their lives and careers.