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"It was just a lot of frustration and a little bit of anger towards the military," said Army Spc. Hunter Wade, an indirect fire infantryman assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, recalling sitting in his commander's office in 2022.
The married soldier, from Greensboro, North Carolina, knew what would happen next.
"The [administrative separation] process was going to start," he said. "I knew several other guys in my platoon who also did not take the COVID-19 vaccine, and they had already started the [separation] process at that point."
This turning point was challenging for Wade; he had always wanted to serve his country.
"For me, it was a calling to join the Army," he said. "I've always wanted to do it ever since I was a kid."
Growing up near a military base inspired him to serve.
In July 2020, Wade joined the Army. After completing basic and advanced individual training to become an infantryman, he was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where a new ambition began to take shape.
"It had been a goal of mine to earn my air assault wings," Wade explained. "My platoon sergeant and a couple of other [noncommissioned officers] in my platoon had expressed interest in going to air assault school. They said we want you to go as well."
A short time later, he got his chance. Wade attended the Lightning Academy Air Assault Course at Schofield Barracks in August 2021. Although his first attempt was unsuccessful, he remained undeterred and returned in December.
"I was in phase three, three days from graduation," he recalled. "The air assault [leadership] said we need to see everyone's COVID-19 vaccine card."
Wade did not have one. He previously prayed about taking the vaccine, ultimately deciding not to. Without the COVID-19 vaccine card, Wade was dropped from the course. Several months later, despite his efforts to get a religious accommodation, he was officially separated from the Army.
"It was hard to process," Wade said. "I never imagined I would be separated from the Army for that."
After moving back to North Carolina, he continued serving the community as a deputy with the Iredell County Sheriff's Office. Still, he missed the brotherhood of military service.
"The last four years I was out of the Army, I had still been in contact with many of them," Wade said. "Whether it's just checking on each other or even just communicating on social media, I've talked to almost all of them since then."
When an opportunity appeared, those ongoing connections proved invaluable.
During the 2025 presidential inauguration, it was announced that service members separated from the military because of the COVID-19 vaccination refusal would be reinstated with back pay and benefits. As the announcement echoed through the ceremony, Wade watched, listened and absorbed every word.
The War Department soon established the Reinstatement and Reconciliation Task Force to manage the reinstatement process for affected service members. The task force, led by Army Col. Kevin Bouren, helps service members rejoin after being separated under the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
"I thought that was very interesting," Wade said. "I wanted to look into that."
Wade spoke with his wife and prayed about the idea. He visited the recruiting office the very next day.
"It was surreal because I did not think I would ever come back into the military," Wade said. "I thought I was done for good."
Despite his doubts, Wade and his wife continued to support each other during the process.
Before long, Wade rejoined the Army and was assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, home of the Army's only air assault division, the 101st Airborne Division.
Being at Fort Campbell reignited Wade's original ambition.
"I thought, 'You know what? I do have some unfinished business with air assault,'" he said.
Wade explained his air assault situation to the task force. Later that day, Bouren said the air assault school commander and first sergeant had approved him to reenter where he left off.
"I was just blown away," Wade said. "I didn't even ask for that. That was just something he [Bouren] did on his own just to try to make me whole again."
Wade entered the rappel phase, or phase three of the course. Here, students must complete a tower rappel, tie a Swiss seat, demonstrate hook-up and belay procedures, rappel from a helicopter and finish a 12-mile ruck march with a 35-pound rucksack in under three hours.
Having conquered the tower, technique demonstrations and helicopter rappel, only one event remained. His ruck weighed on his back as he stood beneath the schoolhouse arches, ready to begin the 12-mile march.
"Being out of the Army the last four years, I didn't really ruck," Wade said. "Mostly, I was just thinking I just have to get through this and we'll be good."
At 3:30 a.m., under cloud-filled skies, Wade began. With each mile, thoughts of earning the Air Assault Badge drove him. Twelve miles later, he passed beneath the arches. His time: two hours and 46 minutes. He finally achieved his goal.
"It feels just so surreal to experience this," he said. "If you have the grit, no matter how hard things get — if you keep going — you can accomplish your goals."
Wade's wife pinned on his wings at graduation, making it official. Wade is once again a soldier, and four years later, he is air assault qualified.
