A significant flu outbreak has affected nearly 160 servicemen at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, two months after Pete Hegseth made the flu vaccine optional for military personnel. The outbreak has primarily impacted Air Force recruits undergoing basic training at Joint Base San Antonio. Reports indicate that over 150 servicemembers have tested positive for influenza, leading to serious concerns about troop readiness and the consequences of lifting the mandatory vaccination requirement. The situation has prompted monitoring by the Air Force and raised questions about the implications of medical freedom on military health standards.