Troops Discharged Over COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal Have More Time to Rejoin: Hegseth

The Department of War is extending the deadline for troops discharged over refusing a COVID-19 vaccine to rejoin the military, officials said on March 20.

The new deadline is April 1, 2027, or a year beyond the prior deadline.

“We’re extending this to make sure that anybody who wants to take advantage of it has additional time to take advantage of it,” War Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a video statement. “Maybe you were waiting to see whether we meant it or not. We do.”

Some 8,700 troops were discharged for not taking a COVID-19 vaccine after the military imposed vaccination requirements in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After taking office in 2025, President Donald Trump said the mandate was unfair and overbroad and directed military officials to offer reinstatement to the discharged members with full back pay.

The reinstatements began in April 2025.

As of the end of February, 153 troops have been reinstated, a Department of War official told The Epoch Times in an email.

“The Services are actively tracking nearly 800 additional Service members who have expressed interest in returning to service,” the official stated. “Following the release of Secretary Hegseth’s memo, which extends the reinstatement window and reduces the active-service obligation, the Department anticipates that interest in reinstatement will continue to grow and that even more of our warriors will return to service.”

Hegseth said that to incentivize troops to return, the military is lowering the obligation of service from four years to two years.

“This change reflects our confidence that returning members will make an immediate and positive impact,” he said.

The modification is going to be part of future agreements. Those service members who have already rejoined will also see their agreements changed to reflect the update.

Hegseth said the secretaries of the military departments are being instructed to make a renewed effort to contact troops who were discharged for COVID-19 vaccine refusal to let them know of the new deadline and lower service obligation.

“We are working hard every single day … to right the wrongs and correct the injustices of the Biden administration,” he said.

The announcement came on the same day that the Department of the Air Force said it identified 377 members who were discharged solely for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine.

Officials said those individuals will not receive full post-service benefits, such as Veterans Affairs Home Loans.

“Completing this review in record time is more than just an administrative update; it’s how we restore trust and honor the commitment of those who raised their hand to serve,” Under Secretary of the Air Force Matt Lohmeier said in a statement. “This is one way we show how much we value your service and reflects our best effort to make things right.”

The Coast Guard also said in February that it has now reinstated about 115 members who were removed for COVID-19 vaccine refusal.