DOW • Vax

Pentagon Highlighting Reinstatements

26 March 2026

Pentagon social media accounts have been highlighting military people who left because of the Covid vax mandate but came back after White House and Pentagon efforts to reinstate them.

FULL TEXT: #MarineCorps Sgt. Anthony Ramos is administered the oath of enlistment by the Honorable Hung Cao, the Under Secretary of the Navy, during his re-enlistment ceremony at Arlington, Virginia. Ramos’ re-enlistment is one of many reinstatements of #Marines involuntarily separated from optioning out of the Coronavirus vaccine.

FULL TEXT: Today, our @DoW_USW_PR team is proud to share the story of another brave warrior who was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Mario Quiroga III.

Sergeant Quiroga, an F-35 Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, was involuntarily separated on January 21, 2022, after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Following the release of EO 14184, he was contacted by @USMC and worked with the Marine Corps Recruiting Command & the COVID-19 Reinstatement Cell to navigate the reinstatement process. On June 12, 2025, soon after being reinstated, he reenlisted, was promoted to Staff Sergeant & returned to active duty. His rank was backdated to April 1, 2024, and he received duty station preference & backpay.

Said SSgt Quiroga, “I never wanted to leave the Marine Corps. I didn’t agree with the vaccine policy, but my commitment to serving never changed. I’m grateful for the opportunity to come back and continue my career. There’s nothing…that compares to the pride and purpose of serving alongside Marines.”

Welcome back, SSgt. Semper Fi!

FULL TEXT: Proud to welcome back another brave soldier who was involuntarily separated in June 2022 for his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine, Hunter Wade.

After @POTUS signed EO 14184, Specialist Wade visited a @USArmy recruiting office to pursue reinstatement. Under the leadership of @SecWar & @SecArmy, he was officially reinstated in March 2026, with full relief including backpay, duty station preference, entitlements, benefits, and constructive service credit, and had the opportunity to fulfill a career-long goal, earning his air assault wings.

Said SPC Wade, “If you have the grit, no matter how hard things get – if you keep going – you can accomplish your goals.”

Thank you for your perseverance, SPC Wade, and well done on earning those wings!

FULL TEXT: Today, our @DoW_USW_PR team is spotlighting Isaiah Luckey, a Security Forces Defender who made the difficult decision to separate from the @USAirForce on May 11, 2022, over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

After @POTUS signed EO 14184, Airman 1st Class Luckey contacted @USAFRecruiting to pursue reinstatement. On October 22, 2025, under the leadership of @SecWar and @SecAFOfficial, A1C Luckey returned to service. He was promoted to Senior Airman with backpay and assigned to his base of preference.

“I decided to come back to finish my career, to finish what I started, and to continue to grow as a professional.”

Proud to welcome you back to the fight! We are “luckey” to have you in our ranks again.

FULL TEXT: Proud to spotlight another brave warrior impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, David Wilkinson.

PFC Wilkinson was involuntarily separated on June 2, 2022, after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Following the release of EO 14184, he reached out to the @USArmy to pursue reinstatement. Under the leadership of @SecWar &
@SecArmy, he was officially reinstated on January 5, 2026, with full relief including backpay, entitlements, benefits, and constructive service credit, and promoted to SPC. Previously an 11B Infantryman, SPC Wilkinson is now training to be a 68W Combat Medic.

“Family and service have always been at the center of who I am…I truly enjoyed my time in the military—the mission, the structure, and especially the camaraderie. My personal decision not to receive the vaccine led to my release, but it never changed my commitment to being a squared-away Soldier…Serving our country is a privilege, and I’m proud—now more than ever—to answer that call.”

Welcome back, SPC Wilkinson!

FULL TEXT: Today, our @DoW_USW_PR team is spotlighting Esther-Rose Corridon, a Hospital Corpsman who was involuntarily separated on June 1, 2022, for her refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine. After @POTUS signed EO 14184, HM2 Corridon contacted the @USNavy to pursue reinstatement & regain the “brotherhood and sisterhood” she enjoyed prior to her discharge.

Under the leadership of @SecWar & @SECNAV, and with concierge support from the Navy COVID-19 Reinstatement Team, she was reinstated on February 17, 2026, as a 1st Class Petty Officer with more than 3 years of active-duty credit & backpay. HM1 Corridon has since reported to Navy Medicine Operational Training Command, and is continuing her Master’s program with the goal of commissioning as a Human Resources Officer.

“I am looking forward to more leadership experience and working with genuine people. Go Navy!”

Her husband, daughter & extended family are extremely proud of her return to the Navy. So are we. Welcome back to the Fleet, HM1 Corridon!

FULL TEXT: Our @DoW_USW_PR team is privileged to share the stories of the many Service members impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. This week, we are highlighting Austin Quesenberry.

Airman 1st Class Quesenberry, a Security Forces Defender, was involuntarily separated in February 2022 after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Following the release of EO 14184, he contacted @USAFRecruiting to pursue reinstatement. On November 11, 2025, he was reinstated, promoted to Senior Airman with backpay, and assigned to his base of preference.

“I served honorably. I now continue to serve honorably…God used difficult circumstances to create a husband, father, and – once again – an Airman.”

Glad to have you back in the @USAirForce, SrA Quesenberry!

FULL TEXT: Pleased to share the story of another brave warrior impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Devin Berry.

E3 Berry, an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, was involuntarily separated in July 2022 after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. After @POTUS signed EO 14184, he contacted the @USNavy to pursue reinstatement. He worked directly with the Navy COVID-19 Reinstatement Team to swiftly navigate the process. On October 14, 2025 – under the leadership of @SecWar & @SecNav – he was reinstated, promoted to 3rd Class Petty Officer, and awarded backpay & 3 years of active-duty credit.

“I wanted to return to the Navy because…[of] my job being an ABE, which is the best job in the Navy. I was given another opportunity to finish my career doing something I love.”

Welcome back to the Fleet, ABE3 Berry!

FULL TEXT: 1-year ago today, @SecWar directed @DeptofWar to rapidly reinstate individuals impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. We are proud to have welcomed back 104 (and counting) brave warriors since then. Nicholas Tordoff is one of them.

Corporal Tordoff, an Aircraft Structural Mechanic, was involuntarily separated on July 7, 2022, after filing a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. Following the release of EO 14184, he reached out to the @USMC to pursue reinstatement. The @MCRCPAO & COVID-19 Reinstatement Cell guided him through the process, and on July 24, 2025, he was reinstated, promoted to Sergeant & returned to active duty. His rank was backdated to February 1, 2022, and he received both backpay & duty station preference.

Said Sergeant Tordoff, “I always wanted to be a Marine, and after earning the title, I knew this is what I wanted to do until retirement. When the option of returning was available, I didn’t have to think twice. I thank the Lord for this opportunity for me and my family.”

Thank you for your service & dedication, Sergeant Tordoff. Hoorah!

FULL TEXT:
☑️Extend the deadline for reinstatement by 1 year.
☑️Reduce the active-service obligation from 4 years to 2 years.
☑️Reach back out to every warrior whose career was cut short under the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to inform them of these changes & encourage them to consider reinstatement.

Under the leadership of @SecWar, we will continue to provide these Service members with every opportunity to return to the fight.

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