The internet has played host to many a fundraiser - and mine won’t be the last by any stretch of the imagination. 

My unique situation is this; I have been living full-time as male despite the origins of my birth since I was approximately 6 or 7 years old. I was blessed with an open-minded, educatedand supportive family. 
My mother will still tell stories of being pregnant with me, and having dreams that I would be a boy - and she was not wrong.

My interest in joining the military started years ago - though I held off on my aspirations until I was certain it was what I wanted to do.
With the new D.O.D policy prohibiting transgender service members just as I begun my process of enlisting, it made it that much harderfor me to pursue something I had become fixated on doing. 
I volunteered time with the Coast Guard Auxiliary - but the cost of membership became too much for me to keep up with. 

With my move to Ohio, I have found an Army National Guard recruiter that has worked tirelessly to gather information for me - and ways I can enlist despite the ban. I was not discouraged, and neither was she; I’ll be forever thankful for that.

She came to me with some information on obtaining a waiver, and I am willing to do whatever it takes for my right to serve my country.
The process would include my completion of my transition - chest reconstruction. This has been a long time coming; my attempts to save for the procedure have always seemed to gone toward another pressing, sudden life event or another. 
It is only until after the surgery will I become eligible for an enlistment waiver - and this waiver is my only hope at a career within the military. 
I’ve chosen a surgeon and have begun the process of setting a surgery date; I need to be decisive in my plan, that I no longer put off my aspirations.

I’m not asking for hand-outs, to be clear. I only ask that you spare what you’re able to - and know I’ll forever be grateful. 

- John Roberts