JANUARY 11, 2023 – Yesterday in a memo, Secretary Austin rescinded the Aug. 24, 2021 memorandum mandating that members of the Armed Forces under DoD authority be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the memorandum of Nov. 30, 2021, pertaining to the vaccination of National Guard and Reserve personnel.
This rescission requirement was established by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.
The health and readiness of the Force are crucial to the Department’s ability to defend our nation.
Secretary Austin continues to encourage all Service members, civilian employees, and contractor personnel to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to ensure Total Force readiness.
The full rescission memorandum can be found here.
The memo does not address whether service members who were already separated will be allowed back into the service.
It does say they can petition for a change in the characterization of their discharge.
“For Service members administratively discharged on the sole basis that the Service member failed to obey a lawful order to receive a vaccine for COVID-19, the Department is precluded by law from awarding any characterization less than a general (under honorable conditions) discharge,” according to the memo. “Former Service members may petition their Military Department’s Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military or Naval Records to individually request a correction to their personnel records, including records regarding the characterization of their discharge.”
The department will continue to encourage service members to get the vaccine and the available boosters.
“Vaccination enhances operational readiness and protects the Force,” according to the memo. “All commanders have the responsibility and authority to preserve the Department’s compelling interests in mission accomplishment. This responsibility and authority includes the ability to maintain military readiness, unit cohesion, good order and discipline, and the health and safety of a resilient Joint Force.”