Subscribe
U.S. Army Col. William Zielinski, a military intelligence officer, discusses his return to service and his role in reinstating and promoting Austin Waring from specialist to staff sergeant during a ceremony at Sabre Airfield, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Aug. 7, 2026. Zielinski and Waring connected through the Department of War COVID-19 Reinstatement and Reconciliation Task Force after both previously left the Army following their refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Zielinski, previously assigned to III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, said he submitted a religious accommodation request after deciding not to receive the vaccine. With his appeal unresolved and mounting concern about the future of his career, Zielinski submitted his retirement packet after approximately 25 years of service.
"I didn’t want to lose my 25 years of experience," Zielinski said. "I was waiting on an appeal. I called branch. I called the Pentagon and still no information. So I submitted my retirement packet. I wanted to go out with at least what I worked for."
Zielinski later learned about the reinstatement and reconciliation effort and said it gave him an opportunity to return to the Army and continue serving.
"You hear it, but you don’t really believe it until you see it," Zielinski said. "I can get back and do what I love and get out on my own terms."
Zielinski said promoting Waring, a fourth-generation Soldier, made the ceremony especially meaningful.
"It’s an honor," Zielinski said. "Staff Sgt. Austin Waring is the fourth generation of military in his family, so it’s a real honor to promote him today."
(U.S. Army video by Capt. Jennifer French)
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2026 19:19 |
| Category: | Interviews |
| Video ID: | 1018031 |
| VIRIN: | 260807-A-XY121-1882 |
| Filename: | DOD_111891270 |
| Length: | 00:04:41 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, US |
| Downloads: | 1 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Interview: Col. William Zielinski Returns to Service Through COVID-19 Reinstatement Effort, by CPT Jennifer French, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
