Former President Donald Trump’s nomination of retired Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach to serve as Chief of Staff has sparked significant debate over the general’s track record on diversity mandates and military vaccine policies.
Though applauded by some in the Air Force hierarchy, Wilsbach’s return to service has ruffled feathers among veterans and conservatives who oppose his support of DEI measures and enforcement of controversial COVID vaccine mandates during his tenure, Breitbart News reported.
A decorated fighter pilot, Wilsbach most recently commanded the Air Combat Command before retiring in August 2025. Just weeks after stepping down, he was tapped for the top uniformed role in the Air Force—a position requiring Senate confirmation.
Mixed Reactions Over DEI Advocacy
In the past, Wilsbach made clear that diversity and inclusion weren’t side notes—they were front and center. “When I took command, I laid out four priorities – diversity, readiness, innovation, and lethality – to focus our efforts,” he said in a 2021 article from Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).
That kind of language may sit well with Pentagon brass, but it’s run headlong into growing frustration among service members and veterans who view these priorities as a distraction from warfighting capability. Among them is Army Ranger veteran William Thibeau, who posted: “Chief proponents of DEI should not also be Chief of Staff of the Air Force.”
Wilsbach also appeared in a PACAF-sponsored video called “Dialogue on Race,” made in the wake of George Floyd’s death. He stated then, “We will ensure that diversity and inclusion are a reality,” a message that has since been quietly scrapped from the PACAF social media pages.
Vaccine Mandate Decisions Draw Criticism
Elsewhere in his record, critics point to Wilsbach's role in denying religious exemptions to the Pentagon’s COVID vaccine mandate. One such case from 2022 involved retired Air Force Master Sgt. Nick Kupper, who was denied accommodation under Wilsbach’s leadership.
Kupper hasn’t minced words since. “This is who General Wilsbach is, a man who enforces unlawful orders & purges Christian conservatives from our military,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. In another post, he urged, “This man is a DEI warrior, do not make him CSAF!”
The general’s nomination has become a flashpoint in the debate over whether today’s military brass is more interested in ideological compliance than combat readiness. Wilsbach’s supporters, meanwhile, argue he’s a seasoned leader who’s ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s battlefields.
Air Force Leadership Stands Behind Nominee
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink offered a formal endorsement, stating he is “pleased to support” Wilsbach’s nomination. That show of confidence from the service’s top civilian leader suggests institutional backing even as grassroots critics raise concerns.
Wilsbach himself issued a statement Tuesday expressing gratitude and outlining his goals if confirmed. “The trust and confidence placed in me is not something I take lightly,” he said.
He added, “If confirmed, I intend to strengthen our warrior ethos and to build a more lethal force that is always ready to defend our homeland and deter our adversaries around the world.”
Previous Ties to Trump Admin Draw Notice
Though his nomination comes from Trump, Wilsbach’s family is no stranger to the former president. His wife, Cindy Wilsbach, previously served on the White House communications team during both of Trump’s administrations.
That detail has raised eyebrows among some who wonder whether her ties played any role in the appointment. Still, it’s not unusual for political trust to factor in high-ranking military nominations, especially for positions requiring Senate confirmation.
As scrutiny builds, the nomination now moves to the Senate Armed Services Committee, where Wilsbach’s record on policy—not his flight hours—will likely take center stage. Confirmation from the full Senate is required before he officially assumes the role.
