FORT MEADE, Md. – Private First Class Bradley Manning was sentenced to 35 years confinement, which is to be served under his biological sex, which is male.

“We are grateful he did not receive the maximum sentence, but we hoped the judge would allow for some of it to be served as a woman,” said defense attorney David Coombs.

Manning claims to suffer from a gender identity disorder which attributed to his disillusionment with the military. Photographs of Manning dressed as his alter ego Chelsea and letters detailing his homosexual preferences were presented by the defense during the trial. Manning has publicly stated that he intends to start hormone therapy as soon as possible in order to transition to a female.