DoD Reinstates Service Members Wrongfully Discharged for Refusing COVID Vaccine

The Pentagon is now reaching out to thousands of service members who were discharged due to their refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

These letters of apology are part of a broader effort to help these individuals return to active duty if they choose. This initiative reflects a significant policy shift, aiming to correct what some see as an unnecessary dismissal.

Tim Hill, acting deputy undersecretary of personnel and readiness, spoke to reporters about the situation. He emphasized that these service members should never have been forced out of the military. Hill assured that the department is committed to helping them return and resume their service.

President Trump, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is eager to welcome back those affected by the 2021 vaccine mandate. This mandate was initially put in place by then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. It was argued at the time that the mandate was crucial for maintaining military readiness.

However, the urgency of the vaccine mandate came into question when the Pentagon rescinded the rule in January 2023. Nearly 9,000 service members had refused the vaccine and were subsequently dismissed. The current effort to bring them back includes various forms of outreach like phone calls and emails.

An executive order from Trump on January 27 has reinstated these service members. The order criticizes the Biden Administration’s decision to discharge healthy service members despite scientific evidence. It points out that many of these individuals had natural immunity and had dedicated their lives to serving the country.

Those who were involuntarily separated will have the chance to receive back pay for the time they were out of the military. This compensation would cover base pay, housing and subsistence allowances, and possibly medical benefits. The back pay would also consider any income received during their separation.

However, these benefits are only applicable to those returning under the new Trump administration guidelines. Service members who rejoined after the 2023 rescission won’t be eligible for retroactive benefits. Hill noted that while addressing these issues is possible, there isn’t a mechanism in place yet.

The enlistment period for returning service members would be two or four years. Applicants must also navigate several administrative hurdles to rejoin the military. One significant issue is the loss of pay and promotions that occurred during their absence.

Hill questioned how the department could make these service members whole financially. He noted that they should be in the same financial position they would have been if they had never been discharged. Returning members will be assessed using medical retention standards.

These standards are used to determine if current service members are fit to continue serving. They differ from traditional accession standards, which are more stringent and apply to new recruits. The Army has already reenlisted more than 23 soldiers who were previously discharged.

Other branches of the military are also reaching out but have not completed any reenlistments yet. According to reports, around 400 soldiers have expressed interest in the reenlistment program. Out of these, about 100 are currently in the application process.

The Army has not disclosed the total amount of back pay given to soldiers. There’s still much to resolve, especially with the Biden administration’s lack of outreach efforts. As a result, less than 700 service members have shown interest in reenlisting.

Conservative media outlets continue to monitor the situation closely. Many are critical of the initial decision to discharge these service members. The unfolding developments will likely be a point of discussion for some time.