President Barack Obama nominated Lt. Gen. Samuel Cox for assignment as commander of 18th Air Force at Scott AFB, Ill. Cox has served as deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and services since December 2013. Obama also nominated Maj. Gen. Gina Grosso, who currently serves as director of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, for a third star. If confirmed, she would replace Cox at the Pentagon.
Active-duty transgender troops have until June 6 to self-identify and begin the voluntary separation process or wait and risk possible involuntary separation later—even as questions linger over how that decision might affect their security clearances for future employment.