U.S. DOD welcomes back service members impacted by COVID-19 vaccine mandate

by Army Maj. Wes Shinego, DOD News
The U.S.Defense Department is taking significant steps to reinstate service members who were discharged due to the now-rescinded COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
During a press briefing April 8, Tim Dill, performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, outlined the department’s plan and commitment to inviting back service members who involuntarily separated and those who voluntarily left service due to the mandate. The plan aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s executive order and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s guidance.
The initiative stems from a recognition that the vaccine mandate, enacted in August 2021 and repealed by Congress in 2022, ended the careers of over 8,700 service members.
“I’m excited to give you this update about the department’s efforts to welcome back former service members who left service due to the department’s past wrongful COVID-19 vaccine mandate,” Dill said.