Office of the Assistant Secretary of War M&RA

Today, our @DoW_USW_PR team is spotlighting Isaiah Luckey, a Security Forces Defender who made the difficult decision to separate from the @USAirForce on May 11, 2022, over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. After @POTUS signed EO 14184, Airman 1st Class Luckey contacted @USAFRecruiting to pursue reinstatement. On October 22, 2025, under the leadership of @SecWar and @SecAFOfficial, A1C Luckey returned to service. He was promoted to Senior Airman with backpay and assigned to his base of preference. “I decided to come back to finish my career, to finish what I started, and to continue to grow as a professional.” Proud to welcome you back to the fight! We are "luckey" to have you in our ranks again.

Proud to spotlight another brave warrior impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, David Wilkinson. PFC Wilkinson was involuntarily separated on June 2, 2022, after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Following the release of EO 14184, he reached out to the @USArmy to pursue reinstatement. Under the leadership of @SecWar & @SecArmy, he was officially reinstated on January 5, 2026, with full relief including backpay, entitlements, benefits, and constructive service credit, and promoted to SPC. Previously an 11B Infantryman, SPC Wilkinson is now training to be a 68W Combat Medic. "Family and service have always been at the center of who I am…I truly enjoyed my time in the military—the mission, the structure, and especially the camaraderie. My personal decision not to receive the vaccine led to my release, but it never changed my commitment to being a squared-away Soldier…Serving our country is a privilege, and I'm proud—now more than ever—to answer that call." Welcome back, SPC Wilkinson!

USMEPCOM was honored to host Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, @USW_PR_HONTata at the Houston MEPS, where he toured the station and administered the Oath of Enlistment to the newest Department of War recruits. #BehindEveryOath