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The Defense Department is stepping up efforts to bring back service members involuntarily separated for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
The effort carries out a Jan. 27 executive order signed by President Trump and instructions Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in February.
It affects more than 8,700 service members discharged from August 2021 until the Pentagon rescinded the vaccine mandate under orders from Congress in early 2023. Those returning can have their rank restored and are eligible for back pay.
They “are now receiving letters of apology from the department in the mail, along with instructions on how they can pursue returning to service," Tim Dill, who is performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said last week.
“The department is eager to welcome back those who were impacted by that vaccine mandate,” Hill said. “They never should’ve had to leave military service and the department is committed to assisting them in their return.”
The Army, Navy and Marines began reaching out last month.
The outreach will also include emails, phone calls, website resources and social media posts, ensuring every affected individual is informed of their opportunity to return, he added.
Those discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine include 60 members in the Air National Guard but no Army Guard Soldiers, according to National Guard Bureau officials.
The Army Guard “never transitioned to the involuntary separation phase while the COVID-19 vaccination mandate was in effect,” the officials said.
Back pay for those in the active component would include base pay, bonus payments, cost-of-living allowances and some health benefit costs, according to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
But that total will be reduced by any wages, veterans’ benefits, separation payments, debts and other amounts that were earned during that time.
Information on how back pay would work for Guardsmen or Reservists is not readily available.
Service members will have to provide verified tax records and other paperwork as part of the process.
DoD officials are also inviting back service members who chose to leave voluntarily rather than comply with the mandate. They can return at their previous rank and pay grade, but they are not eligible for back pay.
Army Guard officials recommend those interested go to the Army Guard recruiting website at www.nationalguard.com.
Those returning must meet all reenlistment requirements and agree to serve four years.
Additional details from DoD are available at www.defense.gov/Spotlights/COVID-19-Reinstatement.
Service members have until April 1, 2026, to express interest, Dill said.
─ By John Goheen
