APRIL 9, 2025 – The United States Navy is inviting former Sailors who voluntarily left the service or allowed their service to lapse, rather than comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, the opportunity to apply for reinstatement, in accordance with Executive Order 14184, “Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate.”
Under this initiative, Sailors who are reinstated will return to their previous rank at the time of separation and must commit to a minimum of two years of active service. Reinstatement will not include back pay, bonuses, credit for lost service, or other forms of compensation.
Former Sailors interested in rejoining the Navy should contact their local recruiting office to discuss their discharge situation and request reinstatement.
Applicants are required to meet all current retention standards and submit a sworn, written statement confirming they voluntarily left the service or allowed their service to lapse due to the vaccine mandate.
A sample written statement is available here: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Career/Sailor%20Reinstatement/VOLUNTARY-SWORN-ATTESTATION-LETTER.pdf?ver=ADP6A4ww03rs0_SdpVdhqA%3d%3d
Sailors who are reinstated will undergo 10-30 days of processing at Recruit Training Command, where they will be fitted for uniforms, receive their ID card and complete an orientation.
Upon completion the Sailor will report to their new duty station.
For more information on the reinstatement process please visit https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Personnel-Conduct-Sep/Sailor-Reinstatement/ and to begin your application, please reach out to your nearest recruiter.
Contact details for your local recruiting office can be found at: https://www.navy.com/contact-us/find-a-recruiter.
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs