ARMY chiefs have baffled soldiers by dishing out guidelines on gender that contradict themselves.

The eight-page Gender Identity Guide for Army Personnel aims to inform squaddies of the right terms to use with LGBTQ+ comrades.

On one page it says gender is “self-determined” and “on a scale with female at one end and male at the other”.

But on the next it says “one does not choose their gender”.

Another part says it is “regarded to be both culturally-shaped and innate to the individual”.

One officer said: “Top Brass are in such a rush to get their Diversity and Inclusion medal that they don’t even understand the guidance they’re giving the lads.”

The guide was written in 2016, but recently updated and re-issued.

Colonel Richard Kemp, former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, said: “It’s clearly muddled, not thought through, and has added to the confusion.”

Insiders say the guide is being rewritten after The Sun flagged the mix-up.

An Army spokesman said: “Diversity and inclusion makes the Army stronger and more effective because people perform better when they are free to be themselves."