Air Force Major who defied Biden vaccine mandate speaks out, applauds Hegseth

Former Air Force Major Kacy Dixon, a 16-year veteran who voluntarily left the military after refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination under President Biden’s 2021 executive order, praised Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Trump Administration for their efforts to reverse the effects of the controversial mandate.

Dixon, a former intelligence officer and judge advocate officer (JAG), was pregnant when the Biden Administration issued the executive order mandating active duty service members to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Despite having received numerous vaccines during her military career, Dixon hesitated due to concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine and its emergency use authorization during her pregnancy.

While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended the vaccine for pregnant women, Dixon’s doctor advised against it, citing the lack of inclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials. Ultimately, Dixon decided not to get vaccinated.

The vaccine mandate, which was in effect until January 2023, resulted in approximately 8,700 service members leaving the military just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many service members sought exemptions, but few were granted, leading to honorable discharges, general discharges, or discharges under other than honorable conditions (UOTHC).

In response to the mandate, President Trump signed an executive order in his first week in office to begin reinstating military personnel who had been affected. Secretary Hegseth recently signed a memorandum directing further guidance on reviewing cases related to the mandate’s impact.

Dixon commended Secretary Hegseth for acknowledging the unlawful nature of the mandate and for working to reinstate affected service members. U.S. lawmakers also expressed support for the administration’s efforts to assist those whose careers were disrupted by the mandate.

While efforts are underway to reverse the mandate’s repercussions, Dixon noted that reentering service members may face challenges, such as lagging in rank compared to their former colleagues and logistical complexities for the DOD.

Andrew Cherkasy, co-founder of Golden Law, Inc. and a former Air Force JAG, emphasized the significance of Secretary Hegseth’s actions in undoing the impact of the mandate. He highlighted the difficulties in reinstating service members who were discharged due to misconduct surrounding their vaccine refusal.

In conclusion, the reversal of the damaging effects of the mandate represents a significant step towards restoring morale and readiness within the military. Secretary Hegseth’s leadership in addressing the aftermath of the mandate reflects a commitment to duty, honor, and country over partisan politics.