During the Biden presidency (2021–2025), several openly transgender individuals were appointed or promoted to senior positions within the U.S. military and federal government. Three notable cases frequently cited in discussions about diversity policies in national security and public health are Colonel Bree Fram, Admiral Rachel Levine, and Shawn Skelly.
Colonel Bree Fram (U.S. Air Force / Space Force) Bree Fram is an astronautical engineer, often described as a “rocket scientist.” She joined the U.S. Air Force in 2003 and later transferred to the newly established U.S. Space Force. Fram publicly came out as transgender in 2016, on the same day the Department of Defense lifted its initial ban on open transgender service.
In January 2024, she was promoted to the rank of Colonel, becoming the highest-ranking openly transgender officer in the U.S. Armed Forces at the time. She served at the Pentagon, focusing on space acquisition policy and the development of future space capabilities. Fram had accumulated 23 years of service before being forced into retirement in 2025–2026 following policy changes under the subsequent Trump administration that prohibited transgender individuals from serving in the military.
Admiral Rachel Levine (U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps) Rachel Levine, a physician, made history in October 2021 when she was sworn in as the first openly transgender four-star officer in any U.S. uniformed service. She held the rank of Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps — a uniformed service under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), though not part of the combat armed forces.
Levine served as Assistant Secretary for Health, overseeing a wide range of public health initiatives, including the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid crisis efforts, and broader health policy. She was the highest-ranking openly transgender federal official during the Biden administration.
Shawn Skelly (Retired U.S. Navy Commander) Shawn Skelly is a retired Navy Commander and former naval aviator (flight officer). She left active duty in 2008 but returned to public service in senior civilian roles. In July 2021, the Senate confirmed her by voice vote as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness. She later performed the duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, with responsibility for force readiness, training, personnel policy, and military preparedness.
During her tenure, Skelly was the highest-ranking openly transgender official at the Department of Defense/Pentagon. She is also a co-founder of advocacy organizations supporting LGBTQ+ professionals in national security.
These three individuals represent some of the highest-profile examples of transgender service members and officials who advanced to senior ranks or positions under the Biden administration’s inclusive policies. Colonel Fram and Admiral Levine achieved historic “firsts” in their respective services, while Skelly held a key civilian leadership role shaping military readiness.