Aven Thomas began medically transitioning from female to male in 2021, just months after then-President Joe Biden signed an executive order allowing transgender people to serve openly in the U.S. military. The result was so gratifying for the U.S. Army specialist that he compared it to turning on a light in pitch darkness. "When you feel at your best," he added, "you are able to perform your best." Stationed at Fort Eisenhower in Augusta, Thomas is now quitting the military under pressure from