Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military's COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate
Executive Order 2025-02180
|Signed on January 28, 2025
First 100 Days
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What it means
Orders the reinstatement of military personnel discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccination. Affected service members can return to their former ranks with full back pay and benefits. Those who voluntarily left rather than comply with the mandate can also return with no negative impact.
Expected impact
- Thousands of discharged service members could rejoin the military, potentially addressing personnel shortages
- Financial implications as the government provides back pay and benefits to reinstated personnel
- Possible boost to military readiness with experienced personnel returning to service
- May be viewed as vindication for those who opposed vaccine mandates on religious or personal grounds
- Could create administrative challenges as the Defense Department processes reinstatement requests