A U.S. Navy official said on Thursday "intentional misuse of transgender service members pronouns is inappropriate and inconsistent with the Navy zero-tolerance policy on harassment" and "may be punishable by administrative or judicial action."
Captain Dave Hecht, a public affairs officer at Chief of Naval Personnel, also said the Navy "appreciates that pronouns are a part of individual identity."
Navy members will be expected to pronounce names correctly and use "an individual's pronouns consistent with their gender marker" in the military's DEERS database.
Hecht's comments come after the Navy posted an instructional video last month to how to use pronouns, American Military News reports:
When asked if a Navy member can be punished for using language like "hi guys" rather than "inclusive" language like "hi team," Hecht said the Navy "does not mandate formulaic language for its members," but it does set "the expectation of respect and dignity by and for its Sailors and civilians."
"Navy guidance in such cases focuses on intentional misuse of terminology ..." Hecht explained.
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