The Pentagon said Tuesday that War Secretary Pete Hegseth has reinstated an Air Force general who was forced to retire early in 2022 after she refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine under the Biden administration. 

President Trump signed an executive order last year that allowed all military service members who were discharged for refusing the vaccine to be reinstated. 

Air Force Brig. Gen. Melissa S. Cunningham, a 26-year veteran, was sworn back onto active duty in a ceremony last week.

"What a wonderful thing it is to be standing here right now with you, with the stance that you've taken," Hegseth told Cunningham. "Not only did you take a private stand in a very principled way as a warrior of conscience, but you led the way for others … and you stood courageously beside [your principles] on your faith, … which truly speaks to your character and is exactly, precisely, the kind of person we want to be bringing back."

Hegseth admitted that bringing service members back has been a more difficult process than he expected, but that it has been worth it. 

The Pentagon said 608 service members have returned to active duty out of more than 8,000 who were forced to leave for refusing the vaccine.

"Those of you that have been here know [the reinstatement process] has not been an easy one, and it's not been a smooth one," Hegseth said. "I just know that, from Day 1, we said, 'We will do this.' And, from Day 2, we said, 'The only way we lose is if we quit, if we stop trying to improve the process [and] if we stop trying to find the warriors.'"

Cunningham thanked the current administration for allowing and working to get the service members back and pleaded with service members who have not returned to "help repair the breach." 

"We need leaders, those courageous warriors [of] moral conscience, to return. The threats that our nation faces require bold, critical thinkers, and we need them back in the ranks," she said. "Your spiritual fortitude, your character and your courage are greatly needed in this hour, and our nation demands it. I am so fired up to be back."

The Department of Homeland Security swore in 56 United States Coast Guard members earlier this year who were dismissed during the Biden administration for failing to get the COVID vaccine. 

The Coast Guard members received back pay effective from the date of their discharge and their service records were changed to reflect a period of continuous active service between the date of their discharge and their reinstatement.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.