WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of War said it has ordered the military services to proactively review the records of thousands of troops who were involuntarily discharged solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and to pursue discharge upgrades where warranted, part of what the department described as a broader effort to “right wrongs” tied to the since-rescinded vaccination mandate.
Under the previous administration, the department said, about 8,700 service members were involuntarily separated for failing to comply with the mandate. More than 3,000 of those separations resulted in discharge characterizations below honorable, the department said. The military departments have been directed to complete their proactive reviews within one calendar year, and former service members will not need to initiate the process for their cases to be examined, according to the announcement.
The department also said it is seeking to bring former service members back into uniform, setting a reinstatement deadline of Wednesday, April 1, 2026, for those who want to pursue a return to service. Additional information on the reinstatement effort is posted at https://www.war.gov/Spotlights/COVID-19-Reinstatement/.
Service members or veterans who believe their records reflect an error or injustice can apply for relief through military review boards, the department said, directing applicants to https://www.milreviewbds.mil for guidance.
The discharge review directive came as department officials also highlighted renewed military-to-military engagement with Beijing. On Tuesday, the department said Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia Alvaro Smith met with People’s Republic of China Major General Ye Jiang for the 19th annual U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks, held in Washington from Monday through Tuesday.
In its account of the talks, the department said Smith reiterated support for a wider range of communications with the People’s Liberation Army to bolster strategic stability and improve crisis deconfliction and de-escalation. The department said Smith tied that push to President Trump’s efforts to pursue stable relations with China and said the United States would defend its interests in the Indo-Pacific.
The talks followed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s meeting with China’s Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun on October 31 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, the department said.
On Wednesday, the department issued a separate statement backing legislation aimed at aviation safety and transparency. Sean Parnell, identified as assistant to the secretary of war for public affairs and a senior adviser, said, “The Department of War thanks Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, Sen. Moran, Sen. Marshall, and Sen. Duckworth for their leadership on the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act, which would enhance communications to improve aviation safety. The Department supports this legislation and appreciates the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s continued partnership and dialogue to account for critical national security operations. The Department looks forward to continuing the productive dialogue with the Committee to finalize the bill, and working towards its ultimate passage.”
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.