In accordance with Executive Order 14184 and direction from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Department of the Navy, this page provides specific guidance to assist the re-entry procedure for Sailors who separated from military service for objections concerning the COVID-19 vaccine.
Sailors who were involuntarily separated solely on the basis of COVID-19 vaccine refusal will be invited to apply for reinstatement. If reinstated, Sailors will incur a mandatory four-year active duty service obligation – but which may be as little as two years for those eligible to retire within that time and may be eligible for back pay, benefits, bonus payments, or other compensation, subject to required offsets.
In addition, OUSD (P&R) issued guidance authorizing the return of Sailors who voluntarily separated between August 24, 2021 and January 10, 2023 to be reinstated, if they did so solely in objection of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. If reinstated, Sailors will incur a two-year active duty service obligation. Sailors who were voluntarily separated are not eligible for back pay, benefits, bonus payments, or other compensation.
Interested Sailors should first contact Navy Recruiting Command, to determine if a physical, which can be scheduled at your nearest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or other appropriate medical facility, is required. You can reach a Navy Recruiter to assist you at 1-800 USA-NAVY (872-6289).
After all necessary return-to-service screening is completed, work with your Navy Recruiter to apply to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) and submit a package to ensure your military record permits reinstatement. Should your package be approved, your records may be corrected to reflect continued service such that back pay, benefits, bonus payments, or other compensation, subject to statutory offsets, may be made available. The BCNR has established an expedited records review process for COVID-19 reinstatements.
Involuntary Separation
What is an Involuntary Separation?
An involuntary separation is when a Sailor was discharged from service as a result of noncompliance with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Eligibility & Path Forward
- Former Sailor will contact appropriate Navy recruiter to request a return to service and explain their discharge situation.
- Recruiter will work with the former Sailor to arrange appropriate screenings and appointments.
- Once medically cleared for reinstatement, the Recruiter will guide the former Sailor though the process of submitting a package to the Board of Corrections of Naval records to address COVID-19 related impediments to reinstatement. The process to petition the BCNR can be found at: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Records-Management/BCNR/
- 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
- Following the BCNR decision, Recruiters will work with the former Sailor to gather all needed documentation for DFAS, DHA and other involved commands to determine any estimated pay and/or medical reimbursement amounts.
- The Former Sailor’s back pay package will be determined within 90 days of submission to DFAS and briefed to the former Sailor by the recruiter to allow former Sailor to make a fully informed decision on reinstatement.
- If the former Sailor chooses reinstatement, the Recruiter will submit the reinstatement package under the same process as is done for prior service applicants.
- Sailors approved for reinstatement will spend 10-30 days at RTC for refitting in uniforms, DEERS entrance, military ID card issue, and orientation while orders to the Fleet are processed.
Voluntary Separation
What is a Voluntary Separation?
A voluntary separation is when a Sailor chose to retire, resign, separate, or allow their contract to lapse in order to avoid receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Read the Official Invitation from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs: ASD (M&RA) Letter COVID Reinstatement
Eligibility & Path Forward
- Sailors must meet retention standards and provide a signed attestation confirming they voluntarily separated due to the vaccine mandate.
- Must commit to a minimum of two years of active service.
- Will not receive backpay, bonuses, or service credit.