APRIL 8, 2025 – The Department of Defense is offering a path back to service for military personnel who voluntarily separated or left to avoid the COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
A new policy outlines procedures for these former service members to rejoin, restoring their previous rank and pay. This policy does not apply to those involuntarily discharged for refusing the vaccine; a separate process exists for those individuals.
Interested former service members can contact Air Force Recruiting Service at AFRS.HQRSOPA.AccessionsStandards@us.af.mil to schedule pre-screening at their nearest Military Entrance Processing Station. The re-accession process involves completing the Department of the Air Force’s Attestation Memo and working with a recruiter.
Eligible members with no limiting factors will be offered the opportunity to re-enter the force under the Prior Service Program for a minimum two-year commitment.
The military departments will use various communication channels, including social media, websites and newsletters, to inform eligible individuals. Outreach materials will explain the re-accession process, eligibility requirements and necessary documentation, including a sworn attestation confirming their voluntary departure due to the mandate.
While re-accession will reinstate rank and pay, it will not include back pay, bonuses, or credit for lost service time. Those seeking such compensation can pursue claims through the standard Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records process.
The military departments will monitor reintegration and report progress to the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness every 30 days, starting one month after the memorandum’s effective date. Reports will include data on re-accession requests, ranks, review dates and outcomes, as well as the number of attestations.
This policy does not apply to individuals discharged for misconduct unrelated to their vaccination status and will expire one year after the memorandum’s effective date.
We’re committed to doing right by those who were affected by the Department’s former COVID-19 vaccination policy. For the roughly 8,700 service members who were separated solely for refusing the vaccine, this is an opportunity to return to service — and we want them to know the door is open.
Starting today, the Department will begin outreach to ensure each of these individuals receives clear information on how to pursue reinstatement.
Their service mattered then, and it still matters now.
We’re ready to welcome them back!
More information can be found here.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs