The Pentagon confirmed suspicions that it would lift the ban on transgender military members in an Aug. 19 memo. On May 27, 2016, roughly 12,000 troops will be able serve openly in every military branch.

Hints that restrictions on transgender servicemen were to be lifted have swirled for months, but is was only last week that the Pentagon set a definitive timeline for the change. Under current military policy, a military member diagnosed with gender dysphoria was required to leave the service. Defense Secretary Ash Carter put an end to these dismissals last month and ordered a six-month review studying the impact of transgender servicemen on military effectiveness.

One of the main talking points in the memo was healthcare.In the past, transgender troops have avoided medical treatment for fear of discovery. It would cost the military about $5.6 million a year to provide transgender troops healthcare.

The memo also discussed whether transgender servicemen would be admitted into all military occupational specialties or deployed in combat. Many MOS positions remain closed to women, complicating where a transgender service member might be assigned if and when they declare their identities.