3 Air Force cadets won't be commissioned as officer after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19

Members of the United States Air Force Academy Class of 2021 take their oath of office during a graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on May 26, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

• The US Air Force said four cadets refused to get vaccinated last week and risked not graduating.
• One person changed their mind and got the vaccine, and will graduate and be commissioned. 
• The other three will still graduate but will not be commissioned as officers. 

Three graduating cadets with the US Air Force won't be commissioned as military officers after refusing to get vaccinated for COVID-19, the Associated Press reported. 

"They will not be commissioned into the United States Air Force as long as they remain unvaccinated," Spokesman Dean Miller told the AP. 

The three cadets will still graduate with a bachelors degree. 

The Air Force Academy did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, but Miller told the AP that a fourth cadet, who initially refused a vaccine, did get the vaccine and will graduate and be commissioned. 

Miller added that the secretary of the Air Force will decide if the three cadets need to reimburse the US for their educational costs. Air Force officials initially told the AP last week that the four cadets may not graduate and may owe tuition costs. The costs can add up to more than $200,000. 

Last year, the Department of Defense mandated that all US service members receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

 

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