Space Force Guardian and rocket scientist Col. Bree Fram joins Lilo for a candid conversation about service, leadership, and the myth of meritocracy. Bree traces a 23-year career of deployments, command, and showing up authentically—then reckons with an executive policy shift that branded loyal service members as “problems,” sidelining talent in the name of politics. Together they unpack institutional betrayal, what real readiness requires, why vulnerability makes better leaders, and what’s at stake when a nation tells devoted people they no longer belong.

About Bree Fram

Bree Fram (she/her) is an astronautical engineer, author, podcaster, speaker, and active-duty colonel in the United States Space Force. She is currently on administrative leave, pending separation due to Presidential policy regarding transgender people at the end of 2025. In her final assignment she was stationed at the Pentagon where she developed the requirements for future Space Force capabilities.

Learn more about Bree, her books and Forged in Fire podcast: https://www.breefram.com/#/

Are transgender troops a security concern?
No. Decades of service and multiple studies show transgender service members meet the same standards of readiness, leadership, and deployability as any other troops. Courts and military data confirm there is no evidence of unique security risks. In fact, serving authentically often strengthens trust, cohesion, and performance within units.

KEYWORDS
Lies My Ego Told Me, Cathyrine Lilo Armandie, Bree Fram, Space Force Guardian, transgender service members, military meritocracy, institutional betrayal, military readiness, inclusive leadership, DD214 JDK code, gender-affirming care in military, myth of meritocracy, LGBTQ+ in the military, mental health