new york three high-ranking military officials obama administration thursday join several transgender service members urge u.s. judge halt president donald trump ban transgender people serve military former secretaries army navy air force include former army secretary eric fan first openly gay head u.s. military service submit swear statements washington d.c. federal court support motion immediate injunction new file come part lawsuit challenge ban trump first announce series tweet early month move would reverse former president barack obama order allow transgender people serve openly without fear lose job ban mark transgender service members unequal dispensable stigmatize eye fellow service members deprive unique honor status associate uniform service country motion say trump say ban would ensure unit cohesion readiness white house spokeswoman immediately comment thursday statements former u.s. military officials say arm force study issue extensively conclude allow transgender people serve would impact military capabilities also echo plaintiffs concern transgender service members rely obama-era policy disclose status could face discharge dramatically reverse course use information basis separate soldier service unprecedented betrayal trust essential achieve mission arm force fan write memorandum last week trump direct military accept transgender recruit pay sex reassignment surgeries active personnel white house officials make clear whether directive would allow active transgender members continue serve u.s. defense secretary jim mattis tuesday say obama administration policy would remain place panel experts provide recommendations regard trump directive would offer advice president lawsuit plaintiffs include five active service members file anonymously well current naval student first-year college student enrol reserve officer train corps two lawsuits challenge ban file early week civil right group ex-military officials urge u.s. judge halt trump 's transgender ban