COVID-19 Reinstatement

Manpower & Reserve Affairs

Quantico, Virginia

Summary
Involuntary Separations
Voluntary Separations
Records Correction (Without Reinstatement)
Contact Information
Deadlines
Resources and Links

Welcome to the Marine Corps COVID-19 Reinstatement Program

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.

Involuntary Separations

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).

Voluntary Separations

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.

Eligibility & Path Forward:

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.

Records Correction (Without Reinstatement)

If you do not wish to return to active service but would like to correct your military records such as your Character of Service, Narrative Reason for Separation, or Reenlistment Code you may do so through the appropriate correction boards.

Options for Record Correction:
Apply to the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) using DD Form 293.
You may request correction of:

Character of Service
Narrative Reason for Separation
Reenlistment Code (RE-Code)

Note: The NDRB cannot upgrade a discharge solely to improve reenlistment or access VA benefits. They also cannot reinstate you into the Marine Corps.

How to Apply to NDRB: NDRB: Naval Discharge Review Board Information

If Requesting Removal of Adverse Material from record:
Apply to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) using DD Form 149.
Examples include requests for:

Removal of adverse material from your personnel file
Correction of Character of Service associated with administrative separation
Adjustment of service dates, pay issues, or other administrative errors

Important: If requesting record correction only, do not indicate COVID-19 Reinstatement on your DD Form 149.

How to Apply to BCNR: Board for Correction of Naval Records Information

Key Reminders:

You may submit your request for record correction independent of COVID-19 reinstatement.
If you later decide to pursue full reinstatement, a separate process through the Marine Corps COVID Reinstatement Cell (CRC) must be initiated before 1 April 2026.
NDRB and BCNR have specific authorities. Ensure you submit to the correct board for your situation.