See Biden sign executive order lifting transgender military ban 02:26 (CNN)They dreamed of serving, and now they can after President Joe Biden lifted the Trump-era ban on most transgender Americans joining the US military. Paulo Batista held onto his dream, even when it seemed impossible. Ever since high school, Batista wanted to join the military and serve his country, inspired by his father's time in the Air Force. "My father is a first-generation immigrant," said Batista. "This was some way to pay back and show love for the country. It was embedded in me, and it became a passion." Batista joined the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) at his Florida school, but when it came time to enlist, his father needed him. Batista's father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he put his own life on hold to care for his family. But he made his father a promise: he too would join the military and serve his country.