WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he will sign a flurry of executive orders focused on the military, including to reinstate troops booted for refusing COVID-19 vaccines just as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth began his first day on the job.
?We will offer full reinstatement to any service member who was expelled from the armed forces due to the COVID vaccine mandate," Trump told a Republican crowd at the Trump National Doral Miami, a resort he owns. "And we will restore them to their former rank with full pay. ?
The order, once signed, isn’t expected to have a major impact on the number of service members returning since they have been able to re-enlist since 2023 and only a tiny fraction have sought to do so. But it could take a bite out of the budget if more do now, since it requires back pay.
At least 8,200 troops were forced out of the military in 2021 for refusing to obey an order when they declined to get the vaccine. Notices advising them they could return were sent out in 2023, but just 113 have re-enlisted.
The reinstatement process for those ousted for refusing the vaccine requires that they meet military entry standards, unless Trump opts to change that. He and Hegseth, however, have persistently stated that the military must not reduce standards.
They would have to meet weight, fitness, medical and other requirements, and personnel could be refused if they now have a criminal record or other disqualifying factor. Officers would have to get recommissioned, which is a simple appointment process.
According to the services, 3,748 Marines were discharged, and 25 have opted to re-enlist; 1,903 Army soldiers were discharged, and 73 returned; 1,878 sailors were discharged and two returned; 671 airmen were discharged and 13 returned.
