A message from the Under Secretary of the Navy
On January 27, 2025, the President signed Executive Order 14184, directing the Department of Defense to take action to address the impacts of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate on Service members. Subsequent Department of Defense guidance established processes to support the return to service and the correction of military records for those affected by this policy. The Marine Corps has implemented these directives to provide impacted Marines with clear options, appropriate assistance, and an efficient, consistent process. If you were impacted by the COVID-19 vaccination mandate and are interested in returning to service or seeking correction of your military records, you may begin by completing the Marine Corps Return-to-Service / Records Correction Application. This application gathers essential information from Marines impacted by the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, regardless of their current interest in returning to service. The information you provide allows Marine Corps recruiters and the COVID Reinstatement Cell to review your circumstances, determine the appropriate pathway, explain available options, and guide you through next steps in a streamlined and efficient manner. Submission of this information does not oblige you to return to service. Proactive Discharge Review – No Application Required The Department of the Navy is actively reviewing the records of Marine veterans who were involuntarily separated solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and received less than an Honorable discharge. Eligible Marines do not need to apply to be considered for a discharge upgrade. This proactive review is directed by the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy to restore honor and correct injustices caused by the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. If you believe you may be eligible, review the Proactive Records Review section below to understand how this process works and what to expect.
BEGIN YOUR PROCESS BY COMPLETING THE REINSTATEMENT / REASSESSMENT APPLICATION
This pathway is for Marine veterans impacted by the COVID-19 vaccination mandate who are interested in returning to military service. The Marine Corps offers a streamlined return-to-service process designed to review individual circumstances, explain available options, and guide eligible Marines through the required steps in accordance with governing policy.
This return-to-service application gathers essential information from Marines impacted by the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, regardless of their current interest in returning to service. The information you provide allows Marine Corps recruiters and the COVID Reinstatement Cell (CRC) to review your circumstances, determine the appropriate pathway, explain available options, and guide you through the next steps in a streamlined and efficient manner. Submission of this information does not obligate you to return to service.
After submitting the application:
Marine Corps recruiters and the CRC will review your information
You may be contacted to discuss eligibility, required screening, and available options
Medical and administrative screening will be conducted, as required
Eligibility and outcomes are determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with governing policy
To begin the return-to-service process, select and complete the Return-to-Service Application on this page. If you need assistance after submitting the application, contact the Marine Corps COVID Reinstatement Cell (CRC) at:📧 SMB_MM_COVID_Reinstatement@usmc.mil
Marine veterans who accept return to service may incur a service obligation. In most cases, this obligation is four years and may be fulfilled through active duty, reserve service, or a combination of both. Marines who would have been eligible for retirement during the period of separation may incur a reduced service obligation, consistent with applicable policy.
Marine veterans whose military records were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 vaccination mandate may request correction of their records without returning to service. This includes correction of discharge characterization, narrative reason for separation, reenlistment code, and removal of adverse information related solely to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
In addition to individual applications, the Department of the Navy is conducting proactive reviews of eligible Marine veterans who were involuntarily separated solely for refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and received less than a fully Honorable characterization of service. Eligible individuals may receive a discharge upgrade without applying. This proactive effort is directed by the Department of War and the Department of the Navy to restore honor and correct injustices resulting from the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Marine veterans who already have a pending application before a correction board will not be disadvantaged; those cases will be expedited for review.
Marine veterans may also pursue records correction independently through the appropriate correction board, regardless of whether they are eligible for or interested in returning to service.
Apply to the NDRB if you are seeking review of your discharge and separation documents. You may request correction of:
Character of Service
Narrative Reason for Separation
Reenlistment Code (RE-Code)
Under current Department guidance, discharges resulting solely from refusal to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, absent aggravating misconduct, are generally presumed unjust and may warrant relief. Applications are reviewed based on governing statutes and current policy guidance. Important Note: The NDRB cannot reinstate a Marine veteran into the Marine Corps. How to apply: https://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/CORB/pages/ndrb/default.aspx
Apply to the BCNR if you are seeking correction of broader errors or injustices in your military record, including matters beyond the DD-214. Examples include requests for:
Removal of adverse material related to COVID-19 vaccination status
Correction of Character of Service associated with administrative separation
Adjustment of service dates, pay issues, or administrative errors
Removal of adverse actions connected to vaccine refusal or exemption requests
This includes, but is not limited to:
Adverse fitness reports or evaluations
Withholding of promotions, assignments, or training
Delayed or denied favorable personnel actions
Pressure to voluntarily separate
Adverse actions taken while awaiting adjudication of exemption requests
You may be eligible for relief even if you did not formally submit a vaccine exemption request, if the adverse action was solely related to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Important Note: If you are requesting records correction only, do not request reinstatement on your DD Form 149. Block 12 (Category): Select all categories that apply to the correction(s) you are requesting. In addition, select “Other” and write “COVID-19” in the space provided. Block 13 (What correction and relief are you requesting): Clearly describe how the COVID-19 vaccination mandate adversely affected your service record and identify each specific correction requested (for example, discharge characterization, narrative reason for separation, reenlistment code, or removal of adverse material). How to apply: https://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/bcnr/Pages/ApplicationProcess.aspx
Support is available to assist Marine veterans navigating COVID-19–related records correction processes. If you need help understanding your options or determining the appropriate pathway, contact the Marine Corps COVID Reinstatement Cell (CRC): SMB_MM_COVID_Reinstatement@usmc.mil
Email: mcrcpsr@marines.usmc.mil If an issue cannot be resolved through the CRC, it may be elevated for further review by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) COVID Reinstatement and Reconciliation Task Force: SN.COVID.TaskForce@us.navy.mil
Final date to initiate Return to Service: April 1, 2026 Timeline Includes
Return-to-Service Application intake period: April 1, 2025 – April 1, 2026
Return-to-Service application deadline: April 1, 2026
Important Clarification Marines who do not initiate the Return-to-Service process by April 1, 2026, will not be eligible to return to service under this program. Requests for records correction only (e.g., BCNR or NDRB relief) are not contingent on return to service and may be pursued independently through the appropriate correction board, subject to board authorities and applicable statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Links - Reinstatement / Reassessment Application - BCNR Official Website - Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) - Veterans Affairs (VA) Records Portal Essential Forms and Guides - DD Form 149 – Application for Correction of Military Record (BCNR) - Voluntary Attestation Form – PDF Download Reference Documents - Executive Order 14184 - DOD Implementation Memo - Official Invitation from ASD M&RA - BCNR Process Fact Sheet - DFAS Compensation Fact Sheet - DHA Compensation Fact Sheets