A U.S. Army Private First Class is facing scrutiny after appearing to endorse refusing orders during a TikTok livestream while in uniform.
During a March 23 broadcast, the soldier—identified online as Fariah Brewer, also known as Araiya Brewer—read aloud a viewer’s question asking whether she would refuse a command “if it’s towards Muslims,” before giving a visible thumbs-up on camera.
Brewer, who states on social media that she “revert[ed] to Islam” in December 2023 and uses the handle “@hijabisniper” on Instagram, made the gesture while wearing Army Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform, with a U.S. flag patch clearly visible. The moment, captured during the livestream, is likely to be interpreted as agreement with the question—raising questions about adherence to lawful orders.
Army regulations are clear: soldiers are required to obey lawful orders, and refusal can carry consequences under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. While religious accommodations are permitted, they do not extend to selectively disobeying lawful orders.
Army regulations are explicit: service members are required to follow lawful orders, and refusal can constitute a violation under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. While protections exist for religious accommodation, those protections do not extend to selectively disobeying lawful orders based on personal or religious identity.
During the same livestream, Brewer addressed questions about discussing political or religious views while in uniform.
“If y’all have been in my last couple lives, I have stated my political opinion not in uniform,” she said, adding that viewers would need to join her streams outside of uniform to hear those views.
Despite that statement, the March 23 livestream shows her engaging with a question involving religion and potential refusal of orders while visibly in uniform—culminating in the thumbs-up response.
In that same broadcast, Brewer was also explicit about her reasons for joining the Army.
“Benefits, free college, free healthcare. That’s why I joined, for the benefits [laughs]. I joined for the benefits,” she said.
She further explained that benefits begin after basic training, and in some cases earlier for service members with dependents.
While the Army actively markets education and healthcare incentives to recruits, those benefits come with a non-negotiable expectation: soldiers are required to follow lawful orders, regardless of personal beliefs.
Brewer’s background adds another layer to the story.
She is the daughter of James Brewer, a Washington, D.C. man currently serving a sentence of more than 27 years in prison for his role in the 2011 killing of Solomon Reese, a 71-year-old Vietnam veteran. Reese was shot multiple times inside his Southeast D.C. apartment during a robbery after attempting to protect his wife.
Editors note: The subscriber-only uncensored version of this article includes additional context, social media findings, and background details not included in this report.
According to prosecutors, James Brewer and accomplices forced their way into the apartment, assaulted Reese and his wife, and stole cigarettes and cash. Reese later died from multiple gunshot wounds. Brewer later attempted to evade custody by impersonating another detainee before ultimately surrendering.
While family history does not determine a soldier’s conduct, the connection is difficult to ignore: Brewer now wears the same uniform once worn by Solomon Reese—the Vietnam veteran her father helped kill.
Brewer entered the Army through the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, a program designed to help recruits who do not initially meet enlistment standards—most commonly for academic or physical fitness reasons. She has publicly stated she entered the program due to being overweight prior to accession.
The program has been a focal point of broader discussions about evolving Army standards as the service works to meet recruiting goals.
The March 23 livestream now adds a new dimension to those concerns—specifically whether soldiers entering through such pathways fully understand or accept the expectations tied to military service, including the obligation to follow lawful orders without hesitation.
As of now, it is unclear whether the Army is aware of the livestream or whether any administrative or disciplinary action will follow.
The clip now raises a more pressing question for the Army:
In the effort to meet recruiting goals, is the service bringing in individuals who are unwilling to carry out lawful orders?
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