GOP Senator Presses Army Over Backpay For Soldiers Discharged Over COVID Vaccine

Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt is pressing the U.S. Army for answers on behalf of former soldiers who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

BREAKING: GOP Senator Eric Schmitt is demanding back pay for the army troops who were discharged for refusing the COVID vaccine. https://t.co/fGgTaTbfN8

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) November 26, 2023

After failing to meet their recruiting goal in 2023, the Army sent letters to the discharged soldiers, telling them they have the option to rejoin the branch.

🚨NEW: US Army sending letters to former troops saying that in light of the removal of the Covid-19 vaccine requirement, they can now apply to get their reasons for discharge changed

This means derogatory remarks or dishonorable discharges can now potentially be removed or… pic.twitter.com/zSwydaJYE5

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) November 17, 2023

The Army has said the letters were sent as part of a congressionally-mandated process.

From Fox News:

Nearly 2,000 service members were let go from the military after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Amid recruitment troubles in 2023, the Army recently sent a letter to the discharged soldiers, telling them they have the option to now correct their characterization of discharge and rejoin the branch. The Army has said the letters were part of a congressionally-mandated process.

In a letter to Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth on Tuesday, Schmitt asked whether any soldiers would receive backpay if they decide to re-enlist, if they would be reinstated to their rank held before discharge, and whether the religious freedoms of service members will be protected moving forward.

ADVERTISEMENT

The thousands of military men and women who were fired because of Covid tyranny were treated with total disrespect

We have recruitment challenges and it should be a priority to bring these highly trained folks back with full back pay, rank and an apology. https://t.co/Hs8YzVHuQd

— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) November 26, 2023

“These mandates certainly harmed our military’s readiness and tragically destroyed the careers of thousands of brave volunteers,” the Republican Senator wrote in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital. “These members have faced negative implications for veterans benefits and employment outside of the military. It is likely that most of those former members will never return to the military and serve our nation.”

The senator also asked whether the Army will make continuous effort to ask these particular members if they would like to rejoin the branch, after reports the Army was about 10,000 soldiers short of meeting its FY 2023 recruiting goals. In 2022, recruitments fell short by an even larger margin of 15,000.

Schmitt noted the branch has missed their recruitment goals, highlighting that “8,300 men and women across the entire military were discharged solely due to COVID-19 mandates. The Army discharged 1,881 soldiers, and only granted 191 exemptions out of 10,699 requests.”

Schmitt requested a response be delivered by December 13, 2023.

Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA) at the Army told Fox News Digital they would be responding directly to the sender of the letter.