US Military treatment of minority groups through history By Lemondrop Jan 1, 1863 African Americans allowed to join the US Army Feb 19, 1942 US Military Promotes and Implements Internment of Japanese Citizen Jul 26, 1948 Executive order to end discrimination in Armed Forces 1991 Congress authorizes women to fly in combat missions. 1993 Congress authorizes women to serve on combat ships 1993 Don't ask, Don't Tell instituted. 2011 Don't Ask Don't Tell repealed Jan 24, 2013 Women allowed to take combat roles. Jan 1, 2017 Transgender individuals allowed join military Jul 26, 2017 President Trump Threatens to repeal Transgender right to serve via Twitter