On January 27, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14184, Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military's COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate. This order directs the Department of Defense to take all necessary actions to make reinstatement available to affected service members. On February 6, 2025, the Secretary of Defense issued a memorandum directing the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to provide procedural guidance to the Military Departments. That guidance was signed on February 7, 2025, establishing the framework for rapid reinstatement of individuals who were either involuntarily discharged or voluntarily separated to avoid the COVID-19 vaccine requirement. If you were affected by this policy, whether involuntarily or voluntarily separated or if you are only seeking a correction to your military record, we invite you to begin by completing the Marine Corps Reinstatement/Reassessment Application. This re-instatement/re-assessment application gathers essential information from all impacted Marines, regardless of their current interest in returning to service. Your responses will help us determine eligibility, provide appropriate guidance, and ensure a streamlined, efficient process.
BEGIN YOUR PROCESS BY COMPLETING THE REINSTATEMENT / REASSESSMENT APPLICATION
What is an Involuntary Separation? An involuntary separation is when a Marine was discharged from service because of noncompliance with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Read the Official Invitation from DC M&RA
Eligibility & Path Forward:
Marines must be reinstated into the same component from which they were discharged (Active Duty or Reserve).
Must meet current retention standards (or request a waiver if needed).
Must agree to a four-year service obligation.
Reinstatement Process:
Complete the questionnaire.
Connect with a recruiter for prescreening.
Submit DD Form 149 and RELM package via TFRS.
Await BCNR decision and compensation review.
Final decision and confirmation of reinstatement.
Compensation Eligibility:
May be eligible for backpay, bonuses, and restored time-in-service.
Must provide supporting documentation (e.g., VA benefits, employment history).
What is a Voluntary Separation? A voluntary separation is when a Marine chose to resign, separate, or allow their contract to lapse to avoid receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Marines 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.
Re-accession Process:
Complete the re-instatement/re-assessment application.
Submit a signed voluntary attestation form.
Connect with a recruiter for screening and enlistment.
Marine Corps Reinstatement Cell
Email: SMB_MM_COVID_Reinstatement@usmc.mil
Recruiter Contacts
Email: mcrcpsr@marines.usmc.mil
Final date to submit reinstatement or record correction: April 1, 2026 Timeline Includes:
Re-instatement/Re-assessment Application intake period (April 1, 2025 – April 1, 2026)
Final application and review deadline (April 1, 2026)
Any Marines who do not act by this date will not be eligible for reinstatement under this program.
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 - DC M&RA Invitation - BCNR Process Fact Sheet - DFAS Compensation Fact Sheet - DHA Compensation Fact Sheets