The Air Force has updated its flight rules for pregnant aircrew in an effort to reduce the risk of miscarriage for service members. Pilots and crew are no longer allowed to fly if they’re pregnant during their first trimester; however, there are still waivers available for some. Learn more about these changes and additional restrictions aiming to help warfighters and their children remain safe.

Air Force No Longer Allows Flying While Pregnant During the First Trimester

The Air Force has changed its rules for flying while pregnant yet again to help avoid risks associated with the first trimester and miscarriages.

Pilots and crewmembers are now barred from flying when pregnant during their first trimester, even though there were no specific cases involving pregnant airmen prompting the change.

 works as an Air Force spokeswoman and announced that the new guidelines in the USAF are more in line with what other branches follow when it comes to restricting pregnant service members from flying.

Despite changes under the Biden administration, new data is prompting a change in how pregnant Airmen fly to reduce complications with their pregnancies. Here’s how the new guidelines break down by trimester:

Airmen can’t fly when pregnant in any capacity due to the higher risk of miscarriage. No waivers are allowed.

Flying is allowed with a waiver, but only in aircraft without ejection seats. This includes cargo planes, helicopters, and tankers.

Flying is still allowed with a waiver in non-ejection seat aircraft. New regulations have extended the previous cutoff from 28 to 32 weeks, as the data found no extra risk for airmen during this period. However, after week 32, flying is not permitted for anyone pregnant.

The Waiver Process for Flying While Pregnant in the Air Force

If you’re a pregnant Airman, you can receive a waiver under the right circumstances, between weeks 13 and 32.

Air Force major commands will be in charge of approving the waivers rather than local flight surgeons. This includes the following:

United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.

The shift is going to allow people with more experience to make the decision on whether or not there is a health risk for everyone involved.

A big emphasis is being put on the ban for flying in aircraft with ejection seats while pregnant, as they can generate 

 when used. A significant increase from the 3Gs experienced during normal flight operations.

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Despite several disrespectful faux pas moments, having to backtrack because of public backlash, and having actual issues at hand, the Trump administration continues to push against content in the military that could contain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Now, the libraries of military branches have to parse through their books to eliminate literature that could contain DEI themes. Below, we’re breaking down how the Army and Air Force are being censored by the government.

Army and Air Force Must Purge Libraries of DEI Content

Both Soldiers and Airmen are going to have fewer reading materials available to them within their respective libraries. The Army and Air Force are being ordered to find books with DEI content, which will be reviewed for removal.

The military has already seen similar orders come down on other learning facilities, specifically, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where around 400 books were removed.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is continuing his war on DEI, but the books will still need to be reviewed before being removed.

This time around, the initial lists will be under more scrutiny and conducted at a slower pace, after the Navy was forced to reverse some of its decisions before, following public backlash.

These directives all come after a recent memo delivered by Acting Army Assistant Secretary Derrick Anderson, instructing West Point, the Army War College, and other departments to review and report books on DEI, gender ideology, and critical race theory that may challenge merit or unity.

Similarly, the Air Force also issued a similar memo, signed by 

Acting Assistant Secretary Gwendolyn DeFilippi

, requiring the Air Force Academy to submit a list of such titles by May 30, 2025, for further review.

The books that will be censored by Trump are still being determined, but there have already been plenty removed.

There are several books on the Holocaust, histories of feminism, the Civil Rights Movement, and racism that have been removed from military libraries.

Specifically, the U.S. Naval Academy’s Nimitz Library, which has seen things like 

Police Violence and Race: The Effects of Racial Focusing Events on Attitudes About Race Relations

, by Midshipman Gavin D. Jernigan, and Maya Angelou’s infamous 

But it’s not just books. The anti-DEI initiative has seen the histories of Jackie Robinson, Tuskegee Airmen, and Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) eliminated from courses in the military, all of which have been restored following backlash.

Why the Army and Air Force Are Eliminating DEI in Their Libraries Now

The military academies weren’t originally included in President Trump’s executive order banning DEI content in K–12 schools, because they're colleges.

However, leadership at The Pentagon noticed this issue and began issuing new orders to rectify it.

All of these issues continue despite backlash against leaders like Hegseth and Trump, and this is why the new materials on the chopping block are slated to receive extra time for review.

Rallying against DEI initiatives continues to interfere with the freedoms of Americans, with a distinct focus on eliminating access to materials to those who are the very ones defending the freedoms of expression that birthed them in the first place.

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Army and Air Force Ordered to Remove Books With DEI Content

One of the Army’s most important schools has instructed students that they are no longer allowed to write academic essays about diversity, including topics like gender, race, cultural differences, and the LGBTQ+ community. In short, they are no longer allowed to write about 

The decision that was made was a bigger part of the change that is happening across the whole military, as lessons, programs, and resources in schools that are related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are being removed.

This change happened as many students are choosing topics that are now seen as not allowed and are related to DEI content.

Most of the students spent weeks researching and writing about issues of gender equality or racism in the military. However, the Army saw these topics as too close to DEI, which has been ended by the current administration, as they had the goal of removing wasteful government DEI programs.

“Students were required to select their topics and begin their research months before the presidential executive orders were issued. Some students selected topics that may have been construed to have a DEI frame of reference and were potentially incompliant," Lt. Col. Eugene Miranda, a service spokesperson, said in a statement.

The current administration has explained that DEI focuses too much on people’s differences and not enough on unity. Therefore, Sergeants Major Academy decided to cancel the writing plans and give the students new academic assignments that also followed the new rules.

"Because of the time already invested in the writing requirements, the Sergeants Major Academy combined the writing requirements and extended the deadline to allow students to complete the work in alignment with new directives." Lt. Col. Eugene Miranda also added.

How Do Service Members Feel About the Situation?

Given the situation, some are upset and worried as this rule makes them feel like their opinions, stories, and views don’t matter. To them, it’s about being heard and seen.

"It's a very serious concern; it's the second-and third-order effects," one academy student expressed their thoughts about the situation. "It makes people feel like they are worthless, how their perspective isn't as valid as it was, say, a few months ago."

Students came from different backgrounds. Therefore, these changes are concerning to them since they could limit their opportunities to share personal experiences as students.

 isn’t only happening at the Sergeants Major Academy. It is also happening in other military schools. Since then, changing programs and canceling classes that include DEI topics has also occurred.

One example is from the Air Force – they had cancelled a class that talked about the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs).

Another one is from the US Naval Academy, where about 400 books were removed from the library. Some of the books that were removed were written by Black women, and other books contain topics like racism and gender, and most are related to DEI content.

West Point also changed its curriculum, and 

 to comply with Trump’s anti-DEI order.

When the Sergeants Major Academy made the change, it signaled a broader shift about the people who get to be seen and heard in the military.

The Army has worked to become more welcoming to all people for how many years, no matter what their background is. However, these recent changes are raising concerns for many about military culture, future polices, and more.

 across the military, only time will tell what the impact will be on future leaders, military personnel, and the Armed Services as a whole.

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The good news for the Army is that they’re having better success getting warfighters back that left due to the COVID vaccine requirements. But the bad news is that it may not be by as much as they first announced. An error led to reports of more than 20 Soldiers rejoining after separating due to the Army COVID vaccination mandate, but the actual figure is much lower.

Soldiers Back After Separating Due to Army COVID Vaccination Rules

The Army COVID vaccination rules made things very uncomfortable for many warfighters, even leading to some of them leaving the military altogether.

Now, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order allowing troops to be rehired by their service branches.

According to the EO, “The secretaries of the military departments will invite these service members to seek reinstatement by applying to have their records corrected to reflect continued service such that back pay, benefits, bonus payments, or other compensation, subject to required offsets, will be available.”

Initially, more than 20 reservists had returned, but that turned out to be an error on the Army’s part. In actuality, there were no reservists who had reenlisted, and only three active duty Soldiers came back.

The Army released a statement on the matter, saying, “The numbers provided were Soldiers who rejoined the National Guard after the 

, which rescinded the COVID-19 mandate, not for Soldiers who rejoined after the EO. The Army is committed to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and transparency. We regret this error.”

Many who left the military following the COVID-19 vaccine mandate have either moved on or are no longer interested in serving in the American Armed Forces, posing a serious issue for those looking to re-recruit them.

It’s Still More Than the Rest of the Military

Even though only three Soldiers have come back, it’s worth noting that the Army is still faring better than the other military branches.

No one under similar circumstances has returned for any other branch, despite reaching out to those who left.

The Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy launched new websites this week to help those interested in reenlisting, and they’ve been sending emails, writing letters, and even making phone calls.

Around 8,200 troops were discharged over the COVID mandate, and since 2023, the military has been working to get them back.

There have been 113 in total that have reenlisted, but now, Trump’s EO would provide back pay. A notable change from previous efforts.

Back Pay for Troops (But There’s a Catch)

Since dropping the COVID mandate in January 2023, The Pentagon has been looking for ways to get those affected back.

Paying back pay is the latest incentive, but it’s worth noting that even those who qualify will likely receive less than they may initially expect.

Even though Trump’s EO offers back pay, the money made as a civilian will be deducted. Furthermore, other forms of compensation, including things like Veteran benefits, are also subtracted.

Furthermore, if you reenlist, you’re going to have to sign up for four years instead of two, as was previously allowed for those who were discharged for refusing a lawful order to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

How to Get Reinstated if You Left Because of the Army COVID Vaccination

Suppose you’re a service member who chose to leave the military or let their service end because of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. In that case, Trump’s EO allows you to return now.

Those who choose to be reinstated can do so without losing their rank, along with the compensation affordances listed above.

To qualify, you’re going to have to provide a written and sworn statement saying that you left voluntarily and followed the proper steps. People forced out of the military during this time are not eligible.

Just like anyone rejoining the military, they’ll still need to meet all the usual standards warfighters are required to adhere to, including health, fitness, and moral requirements.

Those eligible to rejoin due to the mandated Army COVID vaccination schedule can do so, but they need to act quickly. This opportunity to apply for reinstatement only lasts until February 28, 2026.

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Moving to a new home? Or have a commute that is more than 30 minutes from your primary care physician? As a part of the new contracts, in light of the TriWest Healthcare Alliance takeover, TRICARE is making it easier for you to keep your TRICARE Prime coverage. While a patient’s distance from military hospitals or clinics used to require waivers if they had a Prime plan, there is no longer a  restriction, and most families can continue to see their PCM. 

TRICARE Prime patients no longer need a waiver to keep their coverage and receive care at a military hospital or clinic that doesn’t fit the traditional distance requirements.

Under the new TRICARE contracts, beneficiaries can keep their current primary care manager (PCM) or can choose to change. Patients who move to a location outside that access standard for primary care can choose to receive their care at a DoD facility, or they can keep their primary care manager without having to secure a waiver.

To help everyone transition, TRICARE is providing letters to those affected with the details and steps to switch if they choose that option.

"This new approach will help prevent unnecessary coverage gaps and ensure families keep access to their PCMs," said DHA management and program analyst Shane Pham.

This change comes about under the new management contracts that TRICARE continues to navigate.

The DoD is working to get more military families into military hospitals and clinics as private healthcare facilities continue to gain ground in the market.

While many are pushing for more choice and options involving the private healthcare sector, the VA still needs to maintain enough patients to remain a viable option for military families.

According to a DoD memo in 2023, the goal is to increase the patients going to military healthcare facilities to 3.3 million by 2027, which would be a 7% increase.

“The last thing that a family or that service member needs is to be worried about whether their family is getting adequate or high-quality care,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Stephen Ferrara.

TRICARE has been paying attention to what patients feel with these moves, as the data collected from satisfaction surveys have shown that many are willing to keep their primary care doctors, even if they have to drive over 30 minutes to do so, but have no desire to switch physicians.

Therefore, the TRICARE Prime change will allow beneficiaries who live over 30 minutes from their principal care management to continue their coverage.

Adult patients who are on the Prime coverage will be contacted by a TRICARE regional contract and offered options to continue their healthcare plan. According to the Defense Health Agency, beneficiaries who meet the criteria will receive a letter notifying them that their homes are outside of the coverage range.

If they don't respond to the letter, they will remain with their current primary care managers at their military treatment facility.

Actions TRICARE Prime Beneficiaries Need to Take

If a TRICARE Prime beneficiary moves more than 30 minutes from their PCM, their TRICARE regional contract will contact all adult patients in the houshold via phone, email, mail, or text, explaining options for continuing health coverage.

For those with a TRICARE Prime plan, you’ll have 90 days to decide what you want to do. While you aren’t required to move on from Prime, there is still an option to choose coverage under TRICARE Select or the U.S. Family Health Program, provided it’s available near you.

Failure to do so for patients who have moved over 100 miles from their TRICARE Prime Service Area will result in losing coverage. Furthermore, if you go to a military hospital or clinic, you can only receive care if there’s space.

It’s also important to make sure that your personal info in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is up to date and accurate for the DoD.

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When it comes to healthcare, there’s almost no scenario that isn’t going to add a bit of stress to your life. Yet, for military families, the last several months have been a trainwreck even by comparison. TRICARE changes have led to several issues with claims, access to care, and other complications. It’s April 2025, and these issues are only getting worse for the community.

Healthcare providers are having to drop patients and limit the healthcare services available to the military community as TRICARE issues continue to mount.

The contract changes that began when 2025 started have over 16,000 providers dealing with unpaid claims, and that’s just on the East Coast.

You’re likely aware by now that TRICARE undertook new regional contracts under TriWest and Humana Military.

Since doing so, patients, providers, and everyone in between has been dealing with the fallout.

Real Disruptions for Workers and Patients

Regardless of what business you’re operating, if you have $100,000 or more outstanding in payment, it’s going to affect your daily operations.

This is the reality clinics are living in now, which is causing some to take steps to handle these disruptions.

Some healthcare facilities are taking on debt, cutting staff members, and even refusing patients using TRICARE.

This means families who work in healthcare, as well as those who use TRICARE’s military insurance, are losing their livelihoods and access to care as a result. One notable example is 

Owned by Brenda Stephens, LPCC, LMHC, LPC, LCMHC, she has faced the unfortunate reality of taking out tens of thousands in loans, laying off staff, and halting mental healthcare services for 350 military families.

Behavioral health services are especially impacted by TRICARE’s issue, with clinics treating children, teens with autism, and Veterans with PTSD facing care gaps.

Families in Tennessee have lost access to care due to payment delays, hindering their health, and other states have reported potential closures for healthcare facilities needed by the military community.

It’s safe to say the issues with TRICARE are affecting the military community as a whole, but those with children on the autism spectrum are facing major disruptions due to ongoing payment issues.

 is already dicey for military families, and these disruptions only hurt their access even further.

Again, with clinics dropping clients, kids are left without essential services, including occupational or behavioral therapies that are vital to their well-being.

As a result, parents are already reporting heartbreaking regressions due to the lack of care, and even as technical issues are resolved, many providers are still unpaid, facing hard choices that affect families.

Why Are the TRICARE Issues Still Happening?

The government has had a quarter of the year to fix these issues, only to leave the healthcare industry and military community left to scramble.

There is still no clear end in sight, and the transparency has been non-existent for many.

This is causing military families to make hard choices, which could lead to a separation of service as they do what’s best for their families.

Others sell essential things, such as their vehicles, in order to cover the cost of healthcare when paying out of their own pockets.

Experts are warning that if TRICARE’s issues persist, the temporary access and payment problems involving military healthcare could get worse, limit availability to families, and force some facilities to move out of the network altogether.

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FEW SOLDIERS WHO LEFT THE ARMY DUE TO THE COVID VACCINATION MANDATE ARE RETURNING