Entering the Air Force isn’t something just anyone can do. It takes talent, grit, and years of hard work. For Hunter Marquez, joining the U.S. military wasn’t just a dream; it felt like destiny. That’s why they spent four intense years studying at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. And they didn’t stop at just getting through. Marquez earned degrees in both aeronautical engineering and applied mathematics, proving they weren’t just any cadet.
As graduation drew closer, they started to imagine what their future might look like serving their country. But it was that very same country that ended up crushing their dream. The reason was painfully simple. It was because of the transgender military ban created by President Donald Trump.
Marquez wasn’t alone in facing this setback. Two other Air Force cadets were also stopped from entering service and placed on forced administrative leave. Naturally, the Colorado cadet was upset. They couldn’t understand how being transgender could affect their ability to serve the nation they had worked so hard to be part of. Unfortunately, the law didn’t see it that way. According to an Air Force spokesperson, anyone who exhibits or has a history of gender dysphoria is no longer allowed to serve in the military.
Now, without a clear path forward in the military, Marquez has to figure out what comes next. While the Trump administration clearly holds strong opposition to transgender individuals, Marquez’s teachers and classmates have been overwhelmingly supportive. More than 1,000 military academy graduates signed open letters in support of trans and non-binary cadets, standing by their fellow students. Marquez said they were deeply moved by the gesture and recognized many of the names listed in the letter.
At this point, the Air Force cadet has to choose whether to leave voluntarily or insist on staying. If they choose the latter, they face the possibility of being required to repay the tuition fees covered by the government. For Marquez, that adds up to around $400,000. Still, they are refusing to back down. Even if they stay past the deadline, they believe they won’t have to repay the tuition. They are now placing their trust in the American justice system and are determined to keep fighting this until the very end.
Many people understandably sympathize with the Air Force cadets. They can’t quite grasp how Trump is allowed to be so openly prejudiced against people like Marquez. One Redditor said, “Ok, they should take their expertise and serve a different developed country. US is just going to bleed talent.”
