Six readers penned letters to the editor for the March 30 issue of Navy Times.

Have thoughts you'd like to share on Navy Times stories or letters? Send them to navylet@navytimes.com. Include your name, address, phone number and rank. Submissions may be published in print and online.

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NEW SECDEF OFF BASE ON TRANSGENDER SERVICE

Regarding Defense Secretary Ash Carter's response to a question while talking to U.S. troops in Afghanistan ["New SECDEF gives support for transgender service," March 9]: I am appalled by his answer. I cannot imagine the impact this could have on retention and recruiting.

Such a response indicates he's trying to be politically correct without regard to the troops he leads. Too bad this question wasn't asked at his confirmation hearings.

Capt. John McCandless (ret.)

Fort Myers Beach, Fla.

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While it is honorable for any citizen to wish to serve in our armed forces, much research is needed before the prospect of transgender military service can be considered.

Our Physical Readiness Test assigns goal levels for each gender to reach. This is due to the physical differences (muscle, bone, respiratory, cardiovascular, etc.) between genders that cannot be changed by hormone therapy.

Most males who transition into women would gain an advantage over natural females and achieve higher scores unfairly. Transgender service may require changing the PRT system to a "gender neutral" system, which would likely place unattainable requirements on many individuals.

Hormone therapy, sex change operations and other treatments related to transgender individuals must be considered. In time of monetary duress such as now, can we afford the extra cost these treatments place on our military medical systems?

What would the effect be on transgendered personnel in relation to deployments — would they be exempt from deployment if they were in certain stages of their hormone therapies? Would gender neutral barracks and showers be needed? A transgender man using the female showers or vice versa may result in a serious disruption in troop morale, possibly affecting mission success.

These issues are only the tip of the spear. The amount of research needed to determine the feasibility and effects of allowing transgender individuals to serve may be endless. The level of change that may be needed within current military systems to accommodate transgender service may not be practical or financially sustainable.

Lt. Erik English

Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

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FINANCIAL SAVVY REVISITED

I am writing in response to retired Capt. Ron Jaeh's letter ["Financial savvy needed," March 2].

I worked for Capt. Jaeh at NAS Pensacola teaching financial responsibility to our sailors. The program was an outstanding way for them to learn about personal/life finances. We made sure everyone knew how to handle the people and companies that preyed on our sailors, both on and off the base.

I believe, as Capt. Jaeh did, that only trained experts can ensure our military members and their families know how to stay out of debt and avoid predators, and succeed financially in their careers.

The Navy and Marine Corps should go back to this program. Service members and their families will get so much more out of their careers if they know how to handle the financial aspects of life. Our program gave them that opportunity. It was needed then and should be re-instituted now.

Lt. Cmdr. Billy A. Davidson (ret.)

Pensacola, Fla.

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KEEP TRADITION ALIVE

Regarding the current debate on chief's initiation and tradition.

Throughout my Navy career, I looked forward to the day I would don the mantle of enlisted leadership: chief petty officer. Growing up as the son of a chief petty officer, I had first-hand experience with some of the inner thoughts and everyday actions of chiefs, and I never had any problem going to the "fount of wisdom."

As the Navy progressed from World War II into the 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond, more was demanded and expected of chief petty officers. These additional responsibilities brought about the additional ranks of E-8 (senior chief), and E-9 (master chief), as well as force and fleet master chief, and master chief petty officer of the Navy.

These actions also brought about increased CPO initiation rituals and traditions. CPO initiations certainly did not hurt my father and his fellow shipmates, nor did it hurt me and my shipmates. Indeed, it made us better CPOs.

I shall never forget the day at the end of my CPO initiation, when I was welcomed into the chief's mess. However, I also believe, having been there and done that, that the responsibility falls on the senior and master chiefs of the command's mess to conduct a clean and honorable event that keeps the ever evolving traditional CPO initiation alive and well.

GSCM (SW/AW) John Hughes (ret.)

Big Bear Lake, Calif.

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PRIVATIZE FITNESS CENTERS

It's nice to see the chief of naval personnel has plans to expand the hours of base fitness centers ["The CNP's full plate," March 16]. Maybe the Navy should consider a joint venture with the private sector. It worked for base housing.

In San Diego, I pay less than $300 a year for membership in a private fitness center. Each center in the chain has a swimming pool, exercise equipment galore, sauna, and fitness trainers available for hire. Another fitness center here is open 24 hours a day, and a membership can be had for less than $300 a year.

As a military retiree, I find local civilian fitness centers are much nicer than anything on local bases. Why not have fitness center franchises on base? MWR could possibly offer subsidized memberships. Even with subsidized membership, perhaps a better service could be provided at lower cost and perhaps generate profit for MWR.

NCC (SW) Robert W. Blue (ret.)

San Diego

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DFAS SERVICE IS BROKEN

After reading "Vet declared dead, loses pay — but he's alive" [March 9], I had to write. After 18 years in the Navy, I've never seen a more broken customer service system.

My online tax preparation software warned that I had been billed too much for Social Security and to notify the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. The software even gave me the phone number for customer service.

It took 12 calls into the voicemail system, exploring every possible menu option, before I found a way to talk to a live person, after 50 minutes. Customer service couldn't help me over the phone. I was to write a letter to them with my issue, send it either via fax or email (the address of which was so convoluted, I had no reason to believe I correctly copied it down) and hope for the best.

Luckily, before I had to write the letter, I found I had incorrectly entered a number in the tax software and didn't need DFAS intervention, but I pity any sailor who has to face that gauntlet. This is no way to treat our servicemen and women.

Lt. Cmdr. G. Zimmerman

Annandale, Va.

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