Sailor Reinstatement

COVID-19 Disadvantaged Sailors

Submission of information does not obligate you to return to service.

Eligibility and Path Forward

• Former Sailors should contact a Navy recruiter to request return to service through the expedited pathway created for those who departed solely for their refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• The Navy intends to recognize your commitment to conscience by welcoming you back with honors.
• If the former Sailor is unable to contact an appropriate recruiter, please contact navy_covid@us.navy.mil or (901) 874-9284 to receive assistance.
• Recruiters will assist former Sailors who desire reinstatement to Active Duty or Ready Reserves with an application to Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR).

Correction of Service Records

• Former and current Sailors may submit a DD 149 form to BCNR or DD 293 form to DRB, with supporting documents, to request administrative corrections to their service record due to refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine and/or submission of a medical/administrative waiver or religious accommodation request.
• Requests may address upgrade of characterization of service to “HONORABLE”, removal of adverse discharge narrative (i.e. MISCONDUCT) and change of re-entry code to an immediately-eligible-to-reenter-code.
• Other requests for relief may include advancement, special selection board, backpay associated with involuntary removal to the IRR, loss of service benefits, education entitlements and removal of unfavorable official records.

BCNR Submissions

• BCNR submissions require a completed DD149 form, and to facilitate the reinstatement process, former Sailors are highly encouraged to ensure their submission to BCNR includes a Reinstatement Cover Letter, signed by a recruiter, found here: Reinstatement Cover Letter
• ​​​This letter should include documentation of the circumstances leading to separation. This could include a letter from the former Sailor reporting the involuntary, coercive nature of departure from service along with the supporting documents (i.e. religious accommodation or medical/administrative waiver submission and/or denial, formal or informal counseling, adverse evaluations or fitness reports,  negative re-enlistment code, negative separation code or narrative, unfavorable discharge characterization, withholding of training, professional military education opportunities and/or advancement testing, removal from positions of leadership or command, reassignment from operational or career enhancing tours, failure to promote, inability to execute permanent change of station (PCS) transfer, inability to re-enlist at expiration of active obligated service (EAOS), inability to execute Inactive Duty Training (IDT) or Annual Training (AT), etc.).
• The process to petition the BCNR can be found at: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Records-Management/BCNR/
• Recruiters and the COVID Cell will assist former Sailors in submitting all required documents for an initial estimate of entitlement to all applicable incentives such as backpay, benefits of service, eligibility for special selection boards, retroactive advancement /promotion, length of service increases, rating/paygrade upon reinstatement, duty station assignment, DHA benefits, recoupment of bonuses and restoration of military records.
• Recruiters will assist former Sailors in arranging appropriate medical screenings and appointments for reinstatement.
• Sailors approved for reinstatement may go directly to their Fleet assignment or RTC for refitting in uniforms, DEERS entrance, military ID card issue, and orientation while orders to the Fleet are processed.
• Former Sailors who accept reinstatement may incur a four-year commitment. Regardless of your status at separation this can be fulfilled by a four-year active duty or ready reserve obligation or a combination of both. Former Sailors who were eligible to retire during the period of separation may only incur a two-year service obligation. 
• Former Sailors who do not qualify for reinstatement or do not wish to complete reinstatement requirements may apply for records corrections, re-accession or re-enlistment.

Contact Information

Essential Forms

• Printable DD149
• Printable IRS Tax Return Request
• COVID-19 Reinstatement & Reconciliation Process Checklist

Reference Documents

• Reinforcing Our Commitment to Service Members Negatively Impacted by the Defunct Corona virus Disease 2019 Vaccination Mandate 20MAR26
• Pentagon Spokesman Press Release for Returning Honor
• Guidance to Restore Honor Memo
• SECWAR Restoring Honor Memo
• USW Additional Guidance for Reinstating Service Members
• SECWAR Supplemental Remedies Memo
• UNSECNAV Letter 
• Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under COVID-19 Mandate
• Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao COVID-19 Reinstatement Video