President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order aimed at reinstating service members who were discharged from the military for refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The White House has confirmed that the Executive Order will direct the Secretary of Defense to reinstate all members of the military, both active and reserve, who were previously discharged for declining the vaccine and who request to be reinstated.
According to a fact sheet released by the White House, reinstated service members will be restored to their prior rank and will receive back pay and benefits. The fact sheet also highlights that between 2021 and 2023, over 8,000 troops were discharged by the Biden Administration and former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin due to their vaccination status. Following the repeal of the vaccine mandate in 2023, only 43 of the more than 8,000 dismissed troops opted to return to service under the Biden Administration and Secretary Austin.
