A sailor receives the coronavirus vaccine at Naval Base San Diego in January 2021. (Luke Cunningham/U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and service branches are ramping up efforts to get the word out that service members who refused to take the coronavirus vaccine and want to return to the military have until next April to pursue reinstatement, a senior defense official said Tuesday.

“The department is eager to welcome back those who are impacted by that vaccine mandate,” said Tim Dill, performing the duties of deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. “They never should have had to leave military service, and the department is committed to assisting them in their return.”

The Army has reenlisted more than 23 soldiers who were dismissed for refusing to take the vaccine, according to The Associated Press. About 400 soldiers have expressed interest in returning and about 100 are in the application process.

More than 8,000 service members were discharged from the military for refusing to get the vaccine for religious or other reasons.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday shared the Army’s news by posting on X that “MANY more coming back soon!”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on Tuesday also posted on X that the deadline for service members to seek reinstatement is April 1, 2026.

“We’re working hard to make sure each of them receives clear information and support throughout the process,” he said. “Their service mattered then, and it still matters now.”

About a half-dozen sailors have expressed interest or requested additional information on reinstatement opportunities, a Navy spokesperson said.

The Air Force on Monday began outreach to airmen who left the service. Former airmen will be contacted by mail, email if possible and by phone to be provided with more information, the Air Force said. The outreach will explain the streamlined process as well as the requirement for a four-year service commitment upon reinstatement.

April 7 was the day targeted by the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the service-wide outreach to begin, an Air Force spokesperson said.

The Air Force did not have numbers to provide on airmen who have expressed interest in returning.

Since Monday, 40 Marines have completed the initial questionnaire in the first step of the reinstatement process, a service spokesperson said. The service expects the number will increase as outreach continues.

The Navy on Tuesday said sailors who voluntarily left and are reinstated will return to their previous rank at the time of their separation and must commit to a minimum of two years of active service.

During President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech, he said he would sign an executive order reinstating all service members, with full back pay, kicked out for refusing the coronavirus vaccine.

“The vaccine mandate was an unfair, overbroad, and completely unnecessary burden on our service members,” according to the Trump executive order signed in January. “Further, the military unjustly discharged those who refused the vaccine, regardless of the years of service given to our nation, after failing to grant many of them an exemption that they should have received. Federal government redress of any wrongful dismissals is overdue.”

Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered in August 2021 that all active-duty, National Guard and Reserve troops be vaccinated against the coronavirus or face separation. Troops at the time with a health condition incompatible with the vaccine could get a waiver. Additionally, troops with religious beliefs that prohibit the use of vaccines could seek exemption. The order was rescinded January 2023.

Two years ago, the military services sent out notices to all troops discharged for refusing the vaccine, advising them they could return to the military. Just 113 reenlisted.

Dill emphasized the difference between this policy compared to previous ones is the back pay and those who return will be assessed for the medical retention standard, rather than the traditional accession standards when you go through an initial recruitment.

The back pay only applies to those who returned under the new policy, Dill added. At this time, there is no discussion about extending the deadline past April 1.

“We anticipate that that will be enough time to effectively communicate the opportunity to every impacted service member … and give them time to make the decision whether or not they want to express interest,” Dill said.