Thousands of soldiers were forced to leave the US military because they refused to be injected with the experimental mRNA vaccine during the coronavirus crisis – but now they are being welcomed back.
– We will restore them to their former rank with full pay, Donald Trump promises.
At least 8,200 soldiers were forced to leave the army under the Biden administration in 2021 after refusing to comply with orders to get vaccinated against COVID-19. As early as 2023, notices were sent out to those affected that there were some opportunities to return, but so far only 113 people have chosen to take up that offer.
To be eligible for re-enlistment, soldiers must meet all the requirements for military service, such as weight, physical fitness and medical standards. However, those with a criminal record or other disqualifying factors may be denied, and even officers need to go through a simple reenlistment process.
Donald Trump, during a speech at his Trump National Doral Miami, promised to reinstate all soldiers who were fired because of the vaccine requirement.
– We will offer full reinstatement to any service member who was expelled from the armed forces due to the COVID vaccine mandate, and we will restore them to their former rank with full pay.
Will receive redress
The offer also applies to those who voluntarily left the military to avoid the vaccine requirement, provided they sign an affidavit to that effect. Although the offer is not expected to lead to a large wave of returns, it may increase costs for the military as retroactive pay will have to be paid.
According to data from the various branches of the armed forces, 3,748 marines were discharged, of which 25 have returned. Out of 1,903 dismissed soldiers in the army, 73 have chosen to be reinstated, while 1,878 sailors and 671 air force personnel were dismissed, of which only two and 13 respectively have returned.
– Tens of thousands of service members were kicked out because of an experimental vaccine. They will be apologized to. They will be reinstated, reinstituted with pay and rank, the new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has previously promised.
Pete Hegseth just announced that thousands of troops who were fired over the “experimental” COVID vaccine will be “apologized to and reinstated with pay and rank.”
Absolutely huge news.
These are some of the best troops we’ve ever had with unshakable courage to do what’s right. pic.twitter.com/3hntqFHC73
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) January 14, 2025
Clearing out DEI initiatives
Trump also issued a broad order to eliminate all programs and initiatives related to so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard, which is governed by the Department of Homeland Security.
The order aims to remove “all vestiges” of such initiatives that seek to “promote a race-based preferences system that subverts meritocracy, perpetuates unconstitutional discrimination, and promotes divisive concepts or gender ideology”.
It prohibits the departments from promoting or adhering to “un-American” theories that suggest the US founding documents are racist or sexist, that discuss gender ideology, and that promote “divisive concepts” such as “race or sex stereotyping”.
Under the order, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security must issue guidance to implement the presidential order within 30 days.
