U.S. Army Cadet receives the COVID-19 vaccination, 2021. (Photo: U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Vanessa Atchley)
In a move fulfilling a campaign promise, President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Monday reinstating Service Members who were discharged for refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The order, which Trump has called an “unjust” policy, will restore these individuals to their previous ranks and provide them with full back pay and benefits.
The decision is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back policies from the Biden era. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was recently confirmed, has also expressed his commitment to addressing the issue, stating during his confirmation hearing affected Service Members “will be apologized to. They will be reinstated, reinstituted with pay and rank.”
The vaccine mandate was introduced by former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in August 2021, requiring all Service Members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Between 2021 and 2023, more than 8,000 troops were discharged due to non-compliance, despite some applying for medical or religious exemptions. Although the Pentagon rescinded the mandate in 2023 under pressure from Congress, it allowed dismissed troops to reapply voluntarily. However, reports indicate that only 43 of the more than 8,000 dismissed Service Members sought to return to duty, raising questions about the effectiveness of reinstatement efforts.
Under the new executive order, DOD and the Department of Homeland Security will reinstate all active and reserve Service Members who were discharged solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, provided they request reinstatement. It will restore former ranks and provide full back pay, benefits, and compensation to those reinstated. It will also allow Service Members who voluntarily separated rather than comply with the mandate to return to duty with no penalty to their service status, rank, or pay.
The order stipulates that within 60 days, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security must report on the progress of implementation. The move has been praised by conservative lawmakers and former Service Members who viewed the vaccine mandate as unnecessary and unfair. Many Republicans argued that the mandate weakened military strength by forcing out experienced personnel, negatively impacted military readiness, and violated religious freedoms before being later reversed.
However, the reinstatement order raises logistical concerns for the Pentagon, which must now manage the reintegration of these individuals. Additionally, the policy shift may reignite debates over military health requirements, as Service Members are required to receive a range of vaccinations as part of standard onboarding procedures. Whether the move will have a lasting impact on military recruitment and retention remains to be seen, but for now, those who lost their positions due to the mandate will have the opportunity to return to service with full compensation.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
