Image: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Rodriguez Escamilla (U.S. Air Force Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Stri...
The Air Force improperly used an unauthorized prescreening process that obstructed service members from receiving necessary disability evaluations, leading to calls for accountability and reform, as well as inquiries directed at the highest echelons of the Air Force.
A federal court has determined that the Air Force improperly diverted numerous service members from the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), which is mandated by Congress for assessing disabilities. The court ruled that the unauthorized prescreening process, known as Initial Review-in-Lieu-of (IRILO), violated the Administrative Procedure Act and hindered wounded or ill service members from receiving the necessary medical evaluations and protections they deserve. This ruling, issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, underscored that the Air Force lacked the authority to implement such a procedure.
Despite this significant judicial decision, the IRILO process remains in effect until a remedy is finalized, potentially affecting tens of thousands of service members. The ongoing situation has drawn criticism from retired Air Force personnel, such as Jeremy Sorenson, who highlighted the Air Force’s awareness of IRILO’s illegality yet continued use of it for financial gain. Sorenson, a former fighter pilot, has been a longtime advocate for accountability and reform within the military system to ensure that the rights of service members are upheld and that they receive the benefits they have rightfully earned.
Last month, The Gateway Pundit sought to examine the claims made by Sorenson by reaching out via email to Gen. Stephen Davis, who is the former Inspector General of the Department of the Air Force and is currently the Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). It must be noted that Gen. Davis did not receive the author’s inquiries, and therefore, he was unable to respond.
However, the author has since connected with an Air Force public affairs officer to answer the questions previously posed to Gen. Davis.
In response to these allegations and whether Gen. Davis was informed about the complaints from 2023 and 2024 that described the IRILO process as unlawful or illegal, an public affairs officer stated to The Gateway Pundit:
In August of 2023, Mr. Sorenson copied then-Lt Gen Davis on e-mails Mr. Sorenson addressed to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Department of Defense Inspector General. Then Lt-Gen Davis responded to the e-mails and was told by Mr. Sorenson the communication was sent to the Secretary of the Air Force and that Mr. Sorenson was “requesting [the Secretary’s] direct involvement in this matter, not DAF/IG.” Mr. Sorenson further stated, “DAF/IG is not the appropriate office to address Determinations which are to be made by the Secretary of the Air Force per DODI 1332.18.” At the direction of DOD IG, the Air Force IG processed the complaints IAW AFI 90-301 and the actions were subsequently reviewed by the DOD IG. Finally, neither of the e-mails referenced in the article involved a complaint by the Airmen who filed the lawsuit that was filed in 2025.
Gen. Davis was also asked if he would concur that those complaints were never resolved and that they were omitted from the Air Reserve Component (ARC) Line of Duty (LOD)? In response, the Air Force official stated:
All complaints received by the Air Force IG were handled IAW AFI 90-301 and resolutions were also subject to DOD IG oversight and review in accordance with standard IG procedures. Regarding the Air Reserve Component (ARC) Line of Duty (LOD) report, as the report states, it does not provide an assessment or judgement of the medical conditions and adjudications of any individual case; rather, the inquiry assessed whether systemic issues impacted the effectiveness of air reserve component (ARC) processes and procedures to meet established standards regarding line of duty determinations. Individual complaints were handled separately. Also as stated in the report, the ARC LOD inquiry was formally initiated in November 2023 and predates by almost a year the alleged “very specific allegations” the article says Mr. Sorenson made in October 2024. The report is available for public review at this link.
In another question, Gen. Davis was asked about whether he anticipates the current Inspector General of the Department of the Air Force to look into the complaints. The public affairs officer simply said:
General Davis completed his assignment as the Department of the Air Force Inspector General in October 2025 and assumed duties as the Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command in November 2025.
Finally, he was asked about what actions, if any, he anticipates Lt Gen [David] Lyons (the current Inspector General of the Department of the Air Force) will take concerning those complaints now that a federal court has declared the IRILO process illegal or unlawful. The reply:
This matter is still pending in Federal Court. Appropriate Air Force officials will review the decisions from the case when it is completed.
While the implications for the Air Force’s internal procedures remain uncertain, the revelations made by Sorenson still highlight significant concerns regarding the Air Force’s treatment of service members and the legal implications of the IRILO process. As investigations continue and the federal court weighs in on the legality of these practices, the need for transparency and accountability becomes paramount.
Alongside Gen. Davis’ responses, the military’s response to these allegations will not only shape the future of disability evaluations but also impact the trust and morale of service members who rely on a fair and just system. As stakeholders await the outcome, it is crucial for the Air Force to prioritize the rights and welfare of its personnel, ensuring that such systemic issues are addressed with urgency and integrity.
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