Transgender citizens will now be able to openly serve in the U.S. military as of June 30.

Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter made this announcement one year after calling upon military officials to search for a way to make it possible.

At the time of the announcement, there were already many transgender people serving in the military, but the change now allows for them to serve openly and without secrecy.

This was the same case for gay men, lesbian women and bisexuals before the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prevented gay, lesbian, and bisexual men and women from talking about their sexual orientations by threatening to discharge any member who did talk about their orientation. The DADT policy was repealed on Sept. 20, 2011.

This also follows the opening of all combat roles to women on Dec. 3, 2015.