HRC Honors America’s Trans Military Heroes with Historic Retirement Ceremony

“Trans servicemembers … are the frontline canaries in the coal mine of our democracy as to who can be seen as not just American, but among the best that America has to offer,” said Shawn Skelly, former assistant secretary of Defense for Readiness and member of HRC’s Board of Directors. 

In addition to providing the official welcome on behalf of the HRC Foundation, Cmdr. Skelly provided a powerful keynote during the morning session and panel focused on military benefits and the future of service for our communities.

HRC’s Equality Center proudly hosted this event on Jan. 8, 2026, to officially retire Col. Bree Fram, Cmdr. Blake Dremann, Lt. Col. Erin Krizek, Chief Petty Officer Jaida McGuire and Sgt. 1st Class Cathrine Schmid. Together, they represent more than a century of service across the Armed Forces. These heroes were also a proxy for the countless more whose stories we have not yet heard but whose service has helped shape a safer, stronger more honorable military and nation.

“This ceremony is unprecedented,” said retired Maj. Gen. Tammy Smith, who served as master of ceremonies. “Not because their careers fell short in any way, but because they shined so brightly in a military that cast them aside as unworthy.”

As former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall observed, what stood out to him was “how similar these read to those of all other retirees, and to others still serving.” 

The difference, he noted, is that this group was not allowed to continue wearing the uniform. “It is a huge injustice, and an enormous loss to our nation.”

The ceremony was presided over by retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal, whose remarks were as direct as his reputation for leadership. 

“This isn’t complicated,” McChrystal said. “We’ve got to leverage every bit of talent that this nation has.” Excluding people who meet every standard weakens readiness and undermines the values the military is meant to defend, he said.

Members of Congress echoed that point. Rep. Mark Takano, ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, began with an apology. 

“I am sorry this administration has chosen to target you for no reason other than cruelty,” Takano said. 

Rep. Sarah McBride underscored the moral clarity of the moment. 

“Each of you answered the call to serve,” said McBride. “Each of you met the standards. And each of you served and led with integrity, professionalism and courage.”

The most powerful voices, however, were those of the retirees themselves. Each was introduced by a colleague, friend or family member who outlined their distinguished service history, and then invited them to the microphone for a final farewell. 

“Being transgender never kept me from deploying, and I never failed to fulfill my duties,” said Chief Petty Officer Jaida McGuire. “Living authentically proved far more truthful and beneficial to not only myself but also my units than pretending to be someone else.”

For Sgt. 1st Class Cathrine Schmid, service was never abstract. 

“Twenty years of showing, maintaining and keeping the standard,” she said, “not because it’s some abstract rule written on a page, but because it protects the people who sign their name on the line.”

Lt. Col. Erin Krizek named the injustice plainly. 

“Now I have been separated from the Air Force, not because my performance, commitment or ideals have been found lacking, but because the policy changed on who could serve,” Krizek said.

Cmdr. Blake Dremann reflected on a career shaped by progress and change. 

“Pushing the assumptions and navigating change is challenging, often exhausting, but deeply engaging,” he said. The implication was clear. The military has evolved before, and it can do so again.”

Col. Fram closed the ceremony with words that lingered long after the room fell silent. 

“Our uniforms are not coming off because we failed in our duty, but because we did it so well that what it represented could not be hidden away,” she said. “We may be done with our military service. We are not done serving.”

HRC hosted this ceremony because dignity matters. Recognition matters. Too many transgender service members were denied both when they were forced out abruptly, and without honor. This ceremony did not erase that harm, but it affirmed a simple truth: These leaders served with honor. Their service mattered. And America is stronger when we stop pretending otherwise.  

Watch the video and explore photos and stories from their ceremony.