Former Marine Lt Colonel Stu Scheller, who is now working in the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, wrote a post on X regarding the vax remedy situation and issues surrounding the reinstatement process. Following his post are various comments on X to his post.
This week I examined the COVID-19 reinstatement process. Here’s what I learned.
First, people need to understand the difference between involuntary and voluntary separation. If a service member refused the shot and was forced out via administrative separation it was involuntary.…
— Stuart Scheller (@stuartscheller) July 26, 2025
This week I examined the COVID-19 reinstatement process. Here’s what I learned.
First, people need to understand the difference between involuntary and voluntary separation. If a service member refused the shot and was forced out via administrative separation it was involuntary. If they weren’t, it was voluntary. Insert all the qualifications about people being ostracized, careers derailed, re-enlistments not accepted, and undue command influence leading to the exit for an individual… for this argument, if they weren’t administratively separated, the situation is still considered voluntary separation. Involuntary separations rate backpay and time served from separation to reentry. For many this means an automatic promotion. Voluntary does not offer these incentives. HOWEVER, voluntary separations can still apply for the involuntary separation board process, same as those who were administratively separated. All scenarios will be examined by the board.
Second, the term backpay is confusing. The way it works: the government calculates the amount that would have been earned if the service member remained in service and then subtracts the money earned once they got out (claimed on taxes) including disability payments that don’t show up on taxes. So, for a lot of people, this isn’t much money. Yet we did have at least one warrior who got a six-figure payout upon reentry. A couple more in the pipeline may get the same. I’m assuming these warriors were living off grid sharpening knives until they got the call.
To reenter the service all an individual needs to do is contact their recruiter. The recruiter pushes the individual to fill out an application/security screener and then directs them back to their local MEPs (medical) center. Voluntary separations reenter the service quickly. For involuntary, after MEPS the package goes to review (think BCNR/ARBA/AFRBA). Once approved, DFAS calculates the “backpay,” and then an offer letter is given to the service member. At that point, the service member can decide if the offer is worth accepting. Again, if voluntary separation people want to request a board, they can do so, but they won’t have the same priority as involuntary.
Now, for all the horror stories about this process that happened before 1 May 2025… it only confuses the issue. This process wasn’t rocking and rolling until then, so understand that. And since creating the board process, not a single package has been denied, but many packages have been sent back due to administrative incompleteness. This will be something we can look at more closely, because I’m sure this is frustrating to many who experience it.
By the numbers, the military has had 738 involuntary separation individuals reach out to their recruiters and express interest in reentry. 69 of those currently have packages at the board. 17 of them have been reinstated.
It is somewhat eyebrow raising that 652 people have expressed interest in returning to service and don’t have a package at the board for review, so I have tasked the services to follow up with everyone on the list, and I will personally go by name for all 652 to get an update. I’m being told that most of them who expressed interest, find out about the “backpay,” and think about the reality of military life/requirements, and decide not to do it.
By the numbers for voluntary, a total of 41 have expressed interest to return to the service, 17 submitted the paperwork, and 3 have returned to service.
If anyone has any questions, or feels they are being mistreated in this process, they can always email the longest email in the world, which gets routed to Defense Department directly at osd.pentagon.ousd-p-r.mbx.c-19-reinstatement@mail.mil or go to the Defense Departments website at https://defense.gov/Spotlights/COVID-19-Reinstatement/ I promise we actually read these comments.
Now if you’ve read this far, I’m sure you or a loved one was forced out of the military based on the vaccine. I took interest in this initiative because I understand what it’s like to be treated unfairly by the military. I was imprisoned in solitary confinement as a “serious threat” and “flight risk” both which were blatantly untrue… and I would argue illegal. When I got out of the brig, my medical records and investigation were released to a reporter still working in the Pentagon, and ironically, who is still reporting on me.
Why do I point this out… because my impression is that many who exited the service because of poor treatment over the shot refusal want retribution. I get tagged every day with posts questioning when commanders at every level of the military will be thrown in jail for “illegally enforcing the COVID vaccine.” That’s not going to happen. Time to move forward.
Right now, Americans who exited the military because of the COVID shot have an opportunity to reenter and continue serving. If they go through the board process, it’s not going to happen immediately. The process is not perfect, but the team is taking it seriously.
P&R currently has an ASD who was a voluntary COVID separation @simmonsactual (Stephen Simmons). There is a senior advisor in the SecNav who was also a voluntary COVID separation. Our new senate confirmed USD-PR @ajtata has a family member directly impacted by this issue. He is committed to fixing it, as am I. Secretary Hegseth, leading the way, is passionate about us getting this right, and we don’t want to let him down.
I hope the Department can get everyone back in who wants to serve this great country. I believe system reforms will soon incentivize making tough decisions more than pleasing superiors. I hope in the future the service is filled with people brave enough to stand their ground and challenge leaders lacking courage.
Stu
7:29 AM · Jul 26, 2025
Response from Stephen Simmons (Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy):
@stuartscheller thanks for taking this one on and for the direct involvement. While I know this realistic take may not be what everyone wants to hear – it is honest and straightforward…which is where we have to start to get this fixed. You can’t correct something until people admit there is a problem. Move out, draw fire, and attack.
The situation is well in hand with @ajtata making this a top priority and I am confident this is getting set right. It will be hard, but the right thing usually is.
Ultimately 2021-2023 was not our finest hour and every bit of the effort is worth it to restore trust both now and for future generations.
Now for some amplifying commentary:
1. Spot on with the voluntary vs involuntary assessment. But I want to clarify that there were many who were forced into a voluntary separation. Speaking personally – I fall into this “gray area.” This was anything but voluntary and I was threatened (or presented) with unequivocally bad options while I and my family were put through absolute hell for over a year. I have the receipts to include government forms that show “involuntary.” There was nothing voluntary about the process. There are many similar cases that are out there and I encourage everyone to submit their reinstatement package with that documentation…it will likely take longer but it is relevant information that should be brought before the board – give the board a chance to do it’s job.
2. The BCM/NR process is traditionally very slow (like 12-18 months). It is moving at lightning speed and turning these cases in 2-3 weeks once they get the documentation. That said the prep work and documentation requirements can be onerous even for the most diligent. Gentle reminder to everyone you are your best admin advocate and need to keep your records on points. But…Regardless of reason for separation, we as leaders at all levels can make it easy to navigate the administrative hurdles. Do it.
3. It is critical to amplify SecDef statement that this was unlawful. Efforts to correct this now are an imperative that is understood by our leadership. We are carrying out that guidance in these efforts.
4. ***This is a very different DoD than that of 7 months ago. I know there is some trepidation on the part of those looking to come back…I am telling you it is better and you want to be a part of the rebirth that is occurring before our eyes.***
Finally – I will leave you all with a some challenges:
1. To those disaffected – if you want accountability or for it to be better, it will only get better if and when you return. We need and want you back. Return and reinforce the moral backbone that will ensure this never happens again.
2. For the services – I challenge you to spend as much time and effort bringing people back as you did forcing them out.
3. For the leaders at every level – restore the trust. Take some time to reach out to that service member you served with and may have been cut short. Extend the olive branch.
4. Everyone – find some room to forgive…we got bigger threats out there. But let’s not forget and never let this happen again.
Standing by to support as needed.
Simmons out.
11:12 PM · Jul 26, 2025
From Jordan Karr:
For some feedback: I doubt that the backpay excuse you got in the meeting was ever followed up on by the services. I’d like to know if they actually called those members (600+) back and asked why they stopped the process.
I know members who stopped the process because the recruiters never got back to them or their questions went unanswered.
Knowing how people operate, I bet the “backpay” excuse was something the rep knew wouldn’t be questioned and so gave it as the excuse in that meeting without having the data to say “we’ve personally called all 600+ people and it’s the backpay issue.”
Response by Stuart Scheller:
You may be right. I will find out. Like I said, we will go by name first week of August. I gave the services some time to track down all the information.
From Thomas Rempfer:
Grateful for you, @stuartscheller, as well as @simmonsactual, and @ajtata.
Your bottom-line stats for covid-era corrections exactly mirror the anthrax-era. 3, three, actually returned to service for the unlawful covid mandate, and only 3, three, actual records corrected over the patently illegal anthrax mandate after almost 3, three, decades.
@POTUS attempted anthrax corrections in 2018 but your office’s predecessors obscured and undermined that effort to do the right thing.
Once you and @DoD_USD_PR fix covid for the @SecDef, please resurrect unilateral zero cost administrative upgrades to fully honorable discharges for our anthrax-era Vets punished from 1997 to 2005.
At the current rate, covid corrections will take 3, three, decades as well, so I’m hopeful you and your team will fix the process to accomplish the mission ASAP.
From Kyle Seraphin:
Stu – this post sums up why no one should go back. The government created a problem, and as usual, it is left to the service member or employee to jump through hoops to correct it.
If SECDEF called it illegal, all corrective actions and burden afterward should be on the gov’s shoulders.
We know that isn’t the case. Short version: trust is earned, and our government and military are not worthy of it. 2.3% return rate of those interested shows a massive breach of trust.
From Ted Macie:
Stu. Frankly, I’m both surprised and deeply disappointed that you and your team appear to be getting steamrolled by Pentagon careerists. How many JAGs or so-called professionals are now telling you what you “can’t do”? Are these the same individuals who enabled or actively pushed the unlawful implementation of the mandate?
From day one, we’ve faced nothing but resistance. What makes you think that’s changed now?
Who exactly is sitting on this board? Is it possible that some of them failed to follow the law in the first place?
The only way to ensure a fair and impartial process is through COMCAP, something the SECDEF has been made aware of.
From Mara Macie:
Even though I read your whole post, I could have just stopped after the explanation of voluntary/ involuntary, which was clear enough when the reinstatement policy came out. That is one of the biggest mistakes of the policy, and we have been trying to address it from the beginning. We understood the policy. The problem is that the policy is inadequate.
While there was a deal offered to leave, and some took it, others refused the deal to fight for truth, justice, and their oath from the inside. Those people were only saved by court injunctions. Having their “careers derailed” for standing against illegal orders should under no circumstances be considered voluntary regardless of whether they can “apply” for x, y, or z and then have their case examined by “the board.”
Tech-bros can just be dubbed military officers, transgenders can be given a giant severance, but those who had integrity and chose to stay in and fight for what was right now have to fight to get their career back all while their fate lies in the hands of another military “board.”🙄
The inability for the DoD to get this right is either intentional or, at best, ignorant. If the latter, the refusal of the DoD to listen to the guidance of those who understand the nuances thoroughly is careless. None of this conveys a message of reassurance in our military, its leadership, or actual intention to right the wrongs.
I, personally, want to know who is on the board. Who holds the future of our bravest servicemembers’ careers in their hands?
From Rob Green:
Thank you, Stu. We hear how hard you guys are working this and appreciate the efforts.
From David Hamski:
We, @stuartscheller, have a lot in common: we both grew up in the great state of Ohio, we both served as commanders, we both love our country very much, we both got betrayed and hurt by our chain of command for doing what’s right.
I appreciate what you’re doing and offer my service, experience, and knowledge of proper policy for righting the wrongs of the COVID military mandates. I’m not out for the blood of guilty commanders, however I will not just “move on” without proper accountability. The health of our military now and in the future depends upon holding accountability across the ranks – from the top down. Please reach out to me and others like me.
From John S McAfee:
Why aren’t you back in uniform? Why are the COVIDpurged not back in uniform?
We are the same. We stood up for what is right out of love that surpassed fear under intense personal cost against a corrupt & hyperpoliticized administration that targeted us. POTUS is reinstated after experiencing the same. Whereas POTUS’s restitution came from his reelection & yours in your current role (though I hope you get a pardon as well), the policy you regurgitated below from your fact finding is not restitution, only lip service. A greater degree of empathy is necessary for success. Why are you not back in uniform?
Why is getting an effective systemic campaign for reinstatement so much harder than the systemic campaign used to purge us?
Don’t follow the JAGOff recommendations & P&R staff inertia, rather exhibit the leadership, courage, & vision necessary to fulfill POTUS intent. Adopt COMCAP strategy instead.
Sadly regurgitating the broken process comes off as defense & endorsement, not in line with the stated intent of @Potus Trump and @SECDEF Hegseth who said they want back in all of us proven, healthy warriors who had the discernment, courage, & properly aligned character to refuse unlawful orders.
The staff that implemented COVIDpurge is leading & not being led.
The reinstatement policy you just regurgitated and defended is not going to yield any appreciable numbers.
The voluntary versus involuntary distinction is insulting, artificial distinction that prevents fulfillment of POTUS stated intent. For example, presidentially pardoned @mcbashaw wasn’t separated at 17.5 years of service for COVID, but you are going to let your staff that was party to the destruction of his career conceive a definition that denies restitution for the wrongs he faced. I hand carried his reinstatement package to Army Review Board back in March, then POTUS pardoned him, & now you are telling me we can give double separation pay to gender dysphonics & direct hire tech executives to Lt Col, but we need to relook [again] at the reinstatement process?https://x.com/ajtata/status/1949051950227390763?s=19
Few are going to reenter, to then get separated for flu shots. THERE IS NO PREVENTING THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY’S RELIGIOUS VACCINE WORSHIP BEING USED TO DIMINISH THE FAITHFUL. AS IMPLIMENTED, VACCINE POLICIES ARE AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL RELIGIOUS TEST TO PUBLIC SERVICE & THOSE POLICIES MUST BE ADDRESSED BY CURRENT LEADERSHIP [NOT REGURGITATING YOUR STAFF’S TALKING POINTS, RATHER CHANGING POLICY TO PREVENT MEDICAL TYRANNY AS A MEANS TO IMPLIMENT POLITICAL PURGE. COVIDpurge will happen again if you don’t fix it–we know how ].
Few are going to reenter to serve under GO/FOs that maliciously carried out unlawful orders & were promoted.
https://x.com/GuardReserve/status/1946688601120710688?s=19
Because you state this is not going to happen, your organization is unworthy of the commitments you ask rejoining members to make. There must be accountability. Our entire community voted for accountability, the buzz word POTUS & SECDEF used repeatedly for election & confirmation. What’s funny is guys like you, @simmonsactual, @matthewlohmeier and others from POTUS down are the path for it. Remove and replace. There are many more from the COVIDpurged ranks ready willing and able to filling the roles…if you fix these issues.
Few are going to join (only those very close to retirement) when the material incentive & restitution is essentially nonexistent or negative. No way in hell are the “voluntarily separated” under stuschellar-level coercion going to subject themselves to UCMJ, weaponized IG, hateful CoC at lower ranks than their peers and superiors who stayed in. DOD will count pay while out to lower back pay, but it won’t count the experience gained while out for promotion. Not only should there be full back pay, promotion, commands and school, there should be bonuses for returning to service because few passed the COVID test.
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Many more comments from people are in the original post link:
https://x.com/stuartscheller/status/1949069531176894655
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