From Military Service to Civilian Struggles: The Case of Joshua Zermeno
A former military officer, who saw his career derailed by the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, now faces the unsettling possibility of losing his second career due to his refusal to comply with the vaccine policy.
Joshua Zermeno, a former officer in the Space Force, dedicated 13 years to military service. In August 2021, when the Department of Defense (DoD) mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for all service members, Zermeno expressed skepticism regarding both the vaccine’s efficacy and the legality of the mandate. Ultimately, he chose not to adhere to this directive.
Shortly thereafter, he received two Letters of Reprimand (LORs), a “Do Not Promote” recommendation that effectively prevented his advancement to the rank of Major, and was barred from accessing government facilities, relegating him to telework.
In October 2021, Zermeno noted, the Department of the Air Force rolled out a voluntary separation option for personnel who declined the vaccine. With the approval of his squadron commander, he applied for this option, only to see it rejected by base leadership and the Director of the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council, who deemed it “not in the best interest of the Air Force and Space Force.”
Just one week later, base leadership initiated Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) action against him, a procedure that extended over 11 months. In January 2023, former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin rescinded the mandate and ordered the cessation of all punitive actions and the rectification of affected personnel records. However, Zermeno’s chain of command ignored this directive, passing him over for promotion a second time due to his vaccine refusal. Seven months later, he was involuntarily separated, a move cloaked as a “failure to promote,” despite documentation indicating his refusal as the sole factor.
Upon President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding the reinstatement of service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, Zermeno promptly visited Vandenberg Space Force Base to inquire about his potential reinstatement. However, he reported that “Not a single office could provide guidance.” This prompted him to reach out to the Air Force’s Total Force Service Center, which oversees Space Force matters, only to be met with the same lack of clarity. They opened a “ticket” to follow up, but after two months of weekly calls, the response remained unchanged.
In April 2025, the Air Force released reinstatement guidance that contradicted Trump’s executive order, imposing a four-year commitment, reducing back pay based on civilian earnings, mandating Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) clearance—which has now become a barrier to reinstatement—and providing no safeguards against those who initially punished service members.
Despite these challenges, Zermeno remains open to the idea of reinstatement. However, he emphasizes that “it is crucial for Defense Secretary Hegseth to recognize that very few will return until the reinstatement process is thoroughly revised and accountability is enforced for those who issued unlawful orders.”
Amidst the fallout from his military career and its impact on his family, Zermeno authored a book titled Disobeying An Unlawful Order: A Space Force Officer’s Fight for Freedom, which chronicles his experiences with the DoD’s vaccine mandate.
However, the publication of his book seems to have triggered further repercussions. On June 2, 2025, just days after the book’s release, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) contacted his employer, seeking additional information related to his Top Secret clearance eligibility. Zermeno took to social media to express his concerns about the timing of this inquiry, stating, “It’s hard to believe this request is purely coincidental.”
On June 2, 2025, I published a memoir detailing my experience with the DoD’s COVID mandate. On June 12, 2025, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) contacted my employer to initiate a supplemental information request regarding my Top Secret clearance… https://t.co/mymLedcWKo pic.twitter.com/XRri6NJ1Oh
— Joshua (@JoshuaZermeno) June 17, 2025
The DCSA is led by David Cattler, a Biden appointee who took over the agency’s directorship in March 2024. Zermeno raises the unsettling question: Is Cattler’s agency retaliating against him?
“I am now waiting to learn what the ‘developed information’ mentioned in the memorandum to my employer entails and whether they intend to revoke my Top Secret clearance, which could jeopardize my civilian employment with the DoD,” he stated.
As he anxiously awaits further updates, Zermeno grapples with the reality that his stance against what he deems an “unlawful as implemented” vaccine mandate may threaten not one, but two careers.
While he expresses gratitude for the efforts of President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth in attempting to restore military integrity, Zermeno critiques the current reinstatement process for service members affected by DoD vaccine-related penalties, asserting it is flawed and misaligned with Trump’s January 27 executive order. He echoes a sentiment shared by many: “It is obstructed by individuals resistant to reinstating affected personnel.”
He proposes a pause in the reinstatement process across all branches, advocating for the establishment of a dedicated task force to oversee reinstatement, restitution, and accountability for all DoD vaccine-related penalties, including ongoing purges of qualified service members due to various vaccine mandates. Zermeno recommends that this task force be led by a retired four-star general, vetted for opposing vaccine mandates, along with a former military JAG lawyer and a civilian medical researcher who also resisted vaccine enforcement. “These leaders would ensure fair processing of claims and investigations into unlawful orders,” he asserts.
Moreover, he suggests that the task force incorporate impacted service members and advocates dedicated to restoring military strength, alongside vetted civilian financial analysts and constitutional law experts. “This team would manage reinstatements, provide restitution (such as back pay and medical costs), hold accountable those who issued unlawful orders, and reform policies to protect current service members from vaccine-related penalties,” Zermeno elaborates.
“Functioning under the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness,” he states, “this task force would deliver justice, rebuild trust, and enhance military readiness devoid of bureaucratic bias. By addressing all DoD vaccine-related penalties, it would not only fortify our forces but also prevent future injustices, ensuring a military characterized by fairness and honor.”
