The spouse of an active-duty member of the Air Force stands in the gap for her husband of 11 years. Together, the family is facing an uphill battle against the Department of Defense for exercising the innate rights of all U.S citizens, rights that service members do not relinquish.
Maj. Brennan Schilperoort is a C-130J transport aircraft pilot who has honorably served the nation in the Air Force for over 17 years. Maj. Schilperoort applied for a flu shot medical exemption in November 2023, previously having a severe adverse reaction to it, but the Air Force refused him consideration. Another service member he personally knows was granted a medical exemption that same month for “headaches.”
With evidence mounting about the safety, efficacy, testing, and research surrounding the unlawful COVID-19 shot mandate since 2021, Maj. Schilperoort also discovered significant issues surrounding the flu shots. Medical options exhausted, he asserted his Constitutionally-protected rights in December 2023 to object to the flu vaccine for moral and religious reason, requesting a Religious Accommodation. The request was ignored in violation of the Air Force’s own regulations and the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).
While those who ignore regulations continue to walk scot-free, Maj. Schilperoort was punished for his decision. While his case is still in appeal, the C-130J pilot has been placed on a no-pay status since mid-March for taking an objection grounded in his faith and the Constitution.
Davis Younts, Maj. Schilperoort’s military defense attorney with 23 years of experience, stresses that removing pay from an officer like this is “in my experience only reserved for violent criminals or those already incarcerated.” Interestingly, it should also be noted that the Air Force pilot has not had a documented case of the flu nor has he had the shot in the last four years. The Air Force allowed him to continue working alongside his coworkers the entire time.
Still considered an active-duty service member (emphasis added), Maj. Brennan Schilperoort is no longer able to provide for his family, having gone without pay for three months while appealing his case. If the pending appeal is denied, he will also face administrative separation from the Air Force he has faithfully served for most of his adult life.
Hellbound and Down 