Pentagon: About 230 troops discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccine have rejoined

Published Jul 17, 06:44 PM UTC

The Pentagon announced that approximately 230 troops who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine have rejoined the military, representing about 2.7% of the roughly 8,700 service members involuntarily separated. Another 600 have expressed interest in returning. Under policies implemented by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and an executive order by President Donald Trump, eligible service members can return with full back pay, allowances, and bonuses, minus interim income and benefits. The return-to-service obligation was reduced from four years to two to encourage reenlistment. The Pentagon has also convened a panel to study the vaccine mandate decision and will declassify related materials. No surveys have been conducted on why most discharged troops have not returned, with officials noting many have moved on with their lives.