Some small consolation for the thousands of transgender service members in the Armed Forces: Secretary of Defense James Mattis said the military won’t be acting on President Trump’s proposed ban just yet.

“Once the panel reports its recommendations and following my consultation with the secretary of Homeland Security, I will provide my advice to the president concerning implementation of his policy direction,” Mattis said in a statement. “In the interim, current policy with respect to currently serving members will remain in place.”

He added that the focus “must always be on what is best for the military’s combat effectiveness leading to victory on the battlefield,.”

Mattis has been reluctant to make any changes to Pentagon policy—in June he requested more time to study how allowing trans service members to serve openly would affect military readiness. He appears just as hesitant to rush into prohibiting them.

The President officially issue guidance to the Pentagon on Friday afternoon, ordering Mattis to implement the ban by March 23, 2018. It’s believed current service members will be able to complete their enlistment, though the military will cease funding transition-related medical expenses and end efforts to recruit new transgender personnel.

Two lawsuits, one filed by the ACLU, have already been filed—both maintain the ban is a violation of the due-process and equal-protection clauses of the Constitution.

"The military is at risk, and the country’s safety is at risk, when we don’t have the best people serving.” said Army Captain Jennifer Peace, one of six trans service members who attended the VMAs over the weekend.

Implementing and maintaining a ban will cost an estimated $960 million—more than 100 times the $8 million researchers say it will cost to cover transition-related healthcare.

“Incorporating transgender service members has not hurt military readiness, discharging thousands of service members for their gender identity would be a shameful act of discrimination, and doing so would damage our country’s ability to defend itself," said Democratic National Committee spokesperson Joel Kasnetz.“Trump and Mattis need to accept the conclusion already reached by the Department of Defense—that there should be a place for all capable people to serve our country openly.”