Troops Discharged For Refusing COVID Vaccine Can Now Rejoin

Service members who were discharged from the military for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine now have a path for rejoining, according to senior enlisted advisers who testified before Congress. The process to rejoin will be similar to what a service member goes through after a break in service, assuming they meet the qualifications.

The Process

The Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force have all released guidance on the process, which is quick, fair, and handled on a case-by-case basis. The Navy is expected to release guidance soon. The move comes after more than 8,000 service members were discharged for refusing the vaccine. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., said he has talked to many service members in his district who want to come back.

According to Military Times:

Air Force policy is also similar, said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass. She added that the Air Force is making sure the process is quick, fair and that officials are handling the requests on a case-by-case basis.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea didn’t specify whether the Navy has released guidance, but said the process will be the same for all the services, resulting from a memorandum from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Honea said those actions are due sometime in late March.

Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., said he has talked to many service members in his district, which includes Jacksonville. “One of the things I keep hearing is they want to come back,” he said. He noted that more than 8,000 service members have been discharged for refusing the vaccine.

Matthew Reynolds