Air Force Major Faces Discharge Over Religious Objection to Flu Vaccine

A 17-year Air Force veteran and C-130J pilot, Maj. Brennan Schilperoort, is facing administrative separation and loss of pay after refusing the flu vaccine on religious grounds. His case has raised serious concerns about religious freedom, military bureaucracy, and potential retaliation against service members who exercise their constitutional rights.

The Background: A Battle for Religious Freedom

Maj. Schilperoort’s ordeal began in 2022, when he refused the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious beliefs. Like thousands of other service members, his religious accommodation request (RAR) was summarily denied, despite the Air Force being later forced to reverse its vaccine mandate due to federal court intervention.

During that time, Maj. Schilperoort was grounded from flying and faced career-threatening repercussions. After a long battle, he was allowed back in the cockpit, only to face a new mandate—this time for the flu vaccine.

With a renewed conviction in his faith, Schilperoort declined the flu shot as well, submitting another religious accommodation request. However, his command refused to process it, a move that his attorney, R. Davis Younts, says is not just unethical, but illegal.

Denied Religious Rights, Now Facing Discharge

📌 September 2023: Maj. Schilperoort received a final denial of his flu vaccine accommodation request.

📌 December 2023: Despite also seeking a medical exemption due to a severe past reaction to the flu shot, his command ordered him to take the vaccine or face consequences.

📌 January 2024: Command refuses to provide proof that his RAR was even reviewed, instead issuing him a Letter of Reprimand (LOR) for disobeying a “lawful order.”

📌 October 2024: A discharge board votes to remove him from the Air Force—despite his exemplary service record.

📌 March 19, 2025: Without warning, his command places him in “no-pay” status, leaving him without income to support his wife and three children while he awaits a decision from the Secretary of the Air Force.

Unprecedented Retaliation Against a Decorated Officer

His attorney blasted the Air Force’s actions, calling them unprecedented and retaliatory:

“Other than individuals that are dangerous criminals or officers that are incarcerated, I cannot recall a case where a client has been put on Involuntary [Excess] Leave.” – R. Davis Younts, Attorney

🛑 Key Concerns:
✔️ The Air Force never properly processed his religious exemption request
✔️ He was reprimanded without legal justification
✔️ His command cut off his pay without due process
✔️ Other service members were granted exemptions, but not him

What’s Next?

📌 Maj. Schilperoort’s case is now pending review by the Secretary of the Air Force, but the process could take months—leaving him and his family without income in the meantime.

📌 His case has gained traction among former military personnel, conservative lawmakers, and religious freedom advocates, who are demanding action from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump.

📌 Many are urging Congress to investigate whether the military is violating the First Amendment rights of service members by refusing to process religious accommodation requests.

A Dangerous Precedent?

Maj. Schilperoort’s case raises serious concerns for the future of religious liberty in the U.S. military. If a 17-year veteran with a spotless record can be denied religious rights, reprimanded, and stripped of pay, what does that mean for others?

✖️ Are service members being punished for exercising their faith?
✖️ Why was his request ignored while others received exemptions?
✖️ Is this part of a broader crackdown on conservative and religious military personnel?

🔥 Final Thought: Maj. Schilperoort fought for our freedoms—now it’s time for leadership to defend his.

💬 What do you think? Should the Air Force reverse its decision and reinstate Maj. Schilperoort with back pay? Let me know in the comments! 🚨