Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has voiced support for reviewing the military’s ban on transgender servicemembers. In an interview with ABC News, Hagel was asked if transgender people should be allowed to serve openly following the repeal of the ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers in 2010. Hagel did not endorse a repeal but said the ban should be reviewed.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel: “I do think it continually should be reviewed. I’m open to that, by the way. I’m open to those assessments, because — again, I go back to the bottom line: Every qualified American who wants to serve our country should have an opportunity, if they fit the qualifications and can do it. This is an area that we’ve not defined enough.”

A recent commission co-chaired by former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders found there is “no compelling medical rationale” for banning transgender individuals from military service.