Hegseth Swears in General Facing Early Retirement After Vaccine Mandate

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth swore in Air Force Brig. Gen. Melissa S. Cunningham last week after she was forced to retire early in 2022 after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Earlier this year, Hegseth announced that the Pentagon would establish a COVID-19 Reinstatement and Reconciliation Task Force to bring back service members discharged under the previous administration’s vaccine mandate.

“The Department remains committed to honoring Service members unjustly discharged under the rescinded coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine mandate,” a memo on the subject stated at the time. “While the Military Services have initiated rapid return-to-service efforts, additional coordinated action is required to ensure these efforts are optimized across the force.”

“What a wonderful thing it is to be standing here right now with you, with the stance that you’ve taken,” Hegseth told Cunningham during the October 23 ceremony. “Not only did you take a private stand in a very principled way as a warrior of conscience, but you led the way for others,” he said, “and you stood courageously beside [your principles] on your faith, … which truly speaks to your character and [is] exactly, precisely, the kind of person we want to be bringing back.”

“We need leaders, those courageous warriors [of] moral conscience, to return,” Cunningham said. “The threats that our nation faces require bold, critical thinkers, and we need them back in the ranks.” She added, “Because your spiritual fortitude, your character and your courage are greatly needed in this hour, and our nation demands it. I am so fired up to be back.”

In July, the Department of War said that it would conduct an After-Action Review (AAR) to inform future department policy regarding health mandates. The review comes as the Pentagon continues to seek accountability and transparency with the American people in alignment with the Trump agenda.