Reinstated Former Commander Aids Others Separated Over Vaccine Mandates

WASHINGTON - Lt. Col. Christopher Berge was a highly regarded battalion commander when the 2021 COVID-19 vaccine mandate was introduced. Driven by deeply held convictions and concerns about the vaccines and the imposed mandate, he sought medical and religious exemptions.

After those requests were denied, Berge had a difficult decision. Comply with a directive that conflicted with his conscience, and he believed was unlawful or face the possibility of leaving the Army.

"I felt like I and others like me were being coerced to do something against our conscience," said Berge. "In the end I decided it was better for me to leave my career than violate my conscience, so I retired."

His retirement, though his own choice on paper, meant stepping away from his Soldiers and a career he loved a sacrifice he said he was forced to make under duress. Berge retired and transitioned into civilian life, focusing on his family and community.

The landscape shifted in 2025 when the U.S. President signed an executive order directing a COVID reinstatement initiative to "make reinstatement available to all members of the military (active and reserve) who were discharged solely for refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and who request to be reinstated."

In response to the order, the Army began the process of correcting thousands of records with the most reinstatements among the military services. It also recently established the COVID Reinstatement & Reconciliation Task Force (R2TF) to streamline the reinstatement process and provide guidance and support to those navigating it.

On December 10, Berge rejoined the Army ranks. It was marked by a swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon led by Col. Kevin Bouren, the R2TF leader and the Army's first officer to be reinstated.

Berge was appointed as deputy task force lead. He said his commitment to this mission is deeply personal. "I came back to correct a wrong and reestablish credibility with disaffected Soldiers for the institution," Berge said. "We first want to facilitate reconciliation, make things right, and then facilitate reinstatement for those who want to return and continue to serve."

The task force employs a two-pronged approach: reconciliation and reintegration. Reconciliation focuses on correcting military records and addressing issues such as lost time in grade, backpay, and back leave. It ensures Soldiers receive credit for their service and accomplishments, including completed command assignments.

Berge's own records were also corrected, with the Army granting him relief for the time lost during his separation and fully recognizing his leadership as a battalion commander. He said the comprehensive nature of the corrections has begun to restore his faith in the process and the institution.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has described service members who stood against the vaccine mandate as "Warriors of Conscience." Berge said his "goal is to help ensure these Warriors of Conscience are fully restored, both in terms of their official records and their overall relationship with the Army and the War Department."