ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —
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.
More information can be found here.
