The Army sent letters earlier this month to nearly 2,000 former service members fired under the Biden administration’s COVID vaccine mandate telling them how to correct their military records and pointing them to recruiters if they wished to return to the military.
The letter was sent out before Veteran’s Day and told the fired soldiers that they could change the characterization of their dismissal from the military because of the expiration of the COVID vaccine mandate. The letter also pointed the former soldiers to recruiters if they hoped to rejoin the military.
“As a result of the rescission of all current COVID-19 vaccination requirements, former Soldiers who were involuntarily separated for refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccination may request a correction of their military records from either or both the Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) or the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR),” a letter from Brig. Gen. Hope Rampy, Army Director of Personnel Management said.
Rampy said that “individuals can request a correction to military personnel records, including regarding the characterization of discharge.”
Over 8,400 service members were kicked out of the military due to the vaccine mandate while thousands more had their requests for religious exemptions rejected. According to Task and Purpose, 8,945 soldiers, 10,800 airmen and guardians, 4,172 sailors, and 3,717 Marines were denied religious exemptions.
The Army, which has struggled to meet recruiting goals in recent years, also suggested that the former service members could return to the military.
“Individuals who desire to apply to return to service should contact their local Army, US Army Reserve (USAR) or Army National Guard (ARNG) recruiter for more information,” Rampy said.
A spokesperson said that the letters were required to be sent out after Congress pushed the Pentagon to revoke the mandate.
“As part of the overall COVID mandate rescission process mandated by Congress, the Army this month mailed the letters to approximately 1,900 individuals who had previously been separated. The letter provides information to former service members on how to request a correction of their military records,” a spokesperson told Just the News.
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In response to the letter, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said that the Army should provide the fired service members with back pay and an apology.
“Maybe an apology and back pay would be appropriate as well … Or even an admission that it was a really stupid and misguided policy. Will [the DOD] finally be transparent with their data on vaccine injuries in DMED?” Johnson posted to X.
The Army was short 15,000 recruits in 2022 and is on track to be short of recruits again this year.