President Trump has deemed the Pentagon’s 2021-22 dismissal policies unjust, excessively broad, and entirely unnecessary.
President Trump has directed the Pentagon to reinstate military personnel discharged for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine.
The Department of Defense mandated vaccination in August 2021, setting a November deadline. This mandate was rescinded in January 2023.
In a statement issued Monday, Trump characterized the policy as an “unfair, overbroad, and completely unnecessary burden on our service members.” He contended that the Pentagon failed to grant exemptions to many eligible troops.
“Federal Government redress of any wrongful dismissals is overdue,” the President stated.
The order mandates the DOD to “make reinstatement available to all members of the military (active and reserve) who were discharged solely for refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.” Service members attesting in writing under oath to their dismissal due to the vaccine mandate will be offered reinstatement “with no impact on their service status, rank, or pay.”
The order requires the secretaries of defense and homeland security to report their progress to the President within 60 days.
In February 2022, then-Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth asserted that “unvaccinated soldiers present risk to the force and jeopardize readiness.” She indicated that non-compliance would result in immediate “involuntary administrative separation proceedings.”
Months later, personnel heads informed the Senate Armed Services Committee that roughly 3,400 service members were discharged for vaccine refusal, with nearly 2,000 from the Marine Corps.
Breitbart reported that year the figure reached 6,400.
In December 2022, then-Marine Corps Commandant General David Berger acknowledged the vaccine mandate as a “big factor” hindering recruitment, particularly in southern states.
Throughout 2022, all military branches struggled to meet recruitment targets.