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A decorated Air Force and Space Force officer stood against an unlawful order, risking it all. Disobeying An Unlawful Order: A Space Force Officer's Fight for Freedom is the gripping memoir of Joshua Zermeno, who defied the Department of Defense's 2021 COVID-19 vaccine mandate-a policy later declared unlawful-while serving at the forefront of America's space operations.
Zermeno began with years of experience in maintenance and aircrew operations, but his expertise soared as one of the first officers in the U.S. Space Force. At Vandenberg Space Force Base, he managed National Security Space Launch missions, developed and evaluated Western Range spacelift operations in support of the POTUS-directed Assured Access to Space Initiative, led mission assurance and fleet surveillance for SpaceX's Falcon 9 launches, supported NASA's Ascent Abort-2 mission, and ensured the success of the X-37B space plane's recovery operations. Amid the 2020 pandemic, Zermeno developed remote launch operations that kept Vandenberg's missions active, training an 81-member multi-agency technical team to execute them. Yet in 2021, the mandate struck. Facing reprimands, UCMJ punishments, and a "Do Not Promote" order, Zermeno refused to comply, prioritizing his principles and family.
Banished from government buildings for 20 months, Zermeno endured isolation and psychological warfare. Though the mandate was rescinded in January 2023, he was still involuntarily separated after 13 years of service for punishments related to vaccine refusal. His fight found vindication in 2025 when Sec. Def. Pete Hegseth declared the mandate unlawful.
Through a searing account, Zermeno exposes the mandate's toll on his family and national security. A story of courage and conviction, this memoir resonates with readers of military history, space exploration, and ethical debates. Step into the Space Force's frontier and witness a battle for freedom. Get your copy today.
