Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brandon Budge’s story illustrates the struggles faced by service members after the COVID-19 shot mandate reshaped military life. With an 18-year career as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Budge found himself grounded for 18 months after refusing the vaccine. During this time, he received a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR), which he considers a punishment for his decision.
The tension escalated when Budge was told he must undergo a Flying Evaluation Board (FEB), a situation he perceived as retaliatory. Though the FEB ultimately cleared him of misconduct, the GOMOR remained on his record, significantly affecting his career trajectory. His promotion to CW4, for which he received selection in February 2022, was now hanging in the balance. Budge was understandably alarmed when the GOMOR led to a Special Selection Review Board (SSRB) that retroactively revoked his promotion.
Budge explained, “Once an officer receives a GOMOR, promotion becomes ‘virtually unattainable.’” This bleak outlook is compounded by his new classification as a “two-time non-select,” which mandates his separation from service in October 2025. Time is of the essence, as he faces a pressing deadline to rectify his situation.
In a brief glimmer of hope, on September 2, Budge learned from the Chief of Staff of the Army that his GOMOR was being revoked. However, this good news was met with caution. When he reached out to a legal representative at the Pentagon, the reality set in: despite the revocation, he would not be restored to the CW4 rank for which he was nominated. “She simply seemed to suggest that I would be eligible for promotion in the upcoming cycle,” Budge recalled, indicating that the path to recovery was still fraught with hurdles.
With the realities of military bureaucracy pressing down on him, Budge highlighted the significant implications of these setbacks. He faced substantial financial loss, estimating around $40,000 in back pay and potentially over $500,000 in retirement benefits if he lived to 85. He made it clear: “I still have six children at home, and I’ve earned the rank of CW4.” The impact on his family’s future is a heavy burden that compounds the frustration he experiences.
The role of his legal representative, Attorney R. Davis Younts, brings another layer to this story. Younts remains optimistic about the Army’s intent to correct the injustices inflicted under the vaccine mandate. Commenting on Budge’s situation, Younts noted, “The leadership’s willingness to revisit and rectify past wrongs… is a positive step toward restoring fairness for dedicated soldiers who have served honorably.” Nonetheless, he acknowledges the time-sensitive nature of the case, stating, “With CW3 Budge’s forced retirement looming… the window to fully restore his rank and career is rapidly closing.”
Now, as the clock ticks down to his retirement date, Budge is left waiting for decisions that could either salvage his distinguished military career or thrust him into an uncertain civilian life. He has formally requested a review from the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) but has faced delays that heighten his anxiety. “Without answers to the questions I’m asking, my family remains in limbo, and I can’t move on with my life,” he lamented.
His concerns reflect the broader struggles faced by many service members caught in the fallout from the vaccine mandate. The potential for irreversible outcomes looms large. Those in power need to consider the ramifications of their decisions, not only for individual careers but for the families that rely on military personnel for support.
As Budge expressed, the financial stability of his family rests on the decisions made by the Army. Emphasizing his commitment and the service he has rendered over nearly two decades, he remains firm in his position: “If the GOMOR has been removed, the SSRB was unnecessary and my rank should be restored to CW4, plain and simple.” Hundreds of thousands of dollars in future earnings are on the line, alongside the honor he believes he deserves.
With his retirement brief having occurred only days ago, the uncertainty is palpable. “Will the Defense Department act quickly enough to preserve my career and the rank I am entitled to?” he wonders, casting a spotlight on the vital issues of fairness and accountability within military ranks.
For now, Budge waits, hoping for the clarity that has evaded him. The outcome will ultimately determine whether the Army’s commitment to justice can withstand the strain of time and bureaucracy, or leave a loyal servant without his just dues.
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