HIV Veteran Fights Military Enlistment Ban

Reggie Dunbar II, a military veteran diagnosed with HIV in 1985, has dedicated himself to advocating for servicemembers living with the virus through Poz Military & Veterans USA INTL. Despite living a full life with HIV, Dunbar sees echoes of past discrimination in a recent Department of Defense directive. As of January 16, 2026, the DoD has paused the training of new recruits who are HIV-positive, a decision supported by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court cited potential logistical complications and estimated annual costs of up to $20,000 per person.

Dunbar likens this policy to historical barriers faced by individuals with HIV, such as the inability to secure life insurance policies. He highlights how decades of advocacy and medical advancements have demonstrated that people with HIV, especially when undetectable, can live as long as those without the virus. This progress eventually led some insurance companies to offer full-value policies. Dunbar stresses a holistic approach to advocacy, addressing not only health but also mental health, housing, and transportation needs.

His own medical journey, largely uncomplicated due to stable T-cell counts, contrasts with the societal stigma he has encountered. Dunbar emphasizes that individuals living with HIV are not unintelligent and understand mortality, but they deserve the same opportunities and support institutions can provide. He remains committed to advocating for HIV servicemembers, past, present, and future.