BREAKING: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has reinstated Brigadier General Melissa Cunningham, who was forced out of the Air Force for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine under the Biden administration. Cunningham was forced to retire in August 2022 after declining the then-mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. Hegseth swore her back in during a ceremony at the Pentagon on October 23. He welcomed her return and noted the stance she had taken. Cunningham is a 26-year veteran and was the highest-ranking Air Force officer forced out over the mandate. Her reinstatement includes restoration of her brigadier general rank, full back pay, credit for missed service time, and record corrections. Between 8,000 and 8,700 service me bers were involuntarily discharged or separated for refusing the vaccine between August 2021 and January 2023. The mandate was later rescinded. President Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 directing the reinstatement of members discharged solely for refusing the vaccine. Approximately 230 have returned to active duty so far. Cunningham expressed gratitude to God, the president, and Hegseth for working to reinstate her and other similarly discharged service members. She encouraged others who had not yet applied to pursue reinstatement. Pete Hegseth just swore Brigadier General Melissa Cunningham back into the Air Force after she was forced out for refusing the COVID shot. She gets her rank and back pay restored. Thousands of service members were removed the same way.