1st Lt Robin Nelson, US Army 

Tomboy? First Lieutenant Robin Nelson embraced the term while growing up when they didn’t know there was a term that fit their identity better. Robin enjoyed traditionally masculine activities with their family—building demolition derby cars, tracking in the woods, and wrestling with their uncle. But as puberty hit, Robin began to explore their identity in private, experimenting with male personas online and wondering what it might feel like to live authentically. Years later, through their now-wife’s encouragement and the support of friends, Robin found the courage to embrace their identity as non-binary.

Enlisting in 2018 and commissioned through ROTC at Purdue University in 2022, Robin has served with unwavering dedication while navigating the many challenges of being non-binary in the military. From rigid gender markers to the lack of recognition for non-binary identities within military policies, serving as a non-binary soldier presents many obstacles to overcome. Yet, Robin has used these experiences to lead by example. From delivering a project briefing on transgender troop equality at the Equal Opportunity Leadership Course to quietly mentoring fellow service members, Robin works tirelessly to foster inclusion. “I serve with the hope that someday, some fellow non-binary soldier can see my work and feel at home,” they say, a mission that reflects both courage and an attitude we hope all leaders take in creating welcoming environments.
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Robin plans on serving as a member of the military police for as long as the Army will have them.

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