By THE ALASKA STORY
Feb. 24, 2026 – The US Coast Guard has reinstated 56 service members who were separated for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine without an approved exemption, following a recommendation from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and action by a military records review panel.
A three-member panel of the Coast Guard Board for Correction of Military Records voted Feb. 12 to approve the reinstatements. The decision restores the service members to their former rank and provides back pay and benefits, in accordance with an executive order issued by Donald Trump on Jan. 27, 2025.
In total, 274 Coast Guard members were involuntarily separated solely for refusing the vaccine, according to the ruling. Of those, 69 had already been reinstated prior to the February decision.
The Coast Guard’s “Return 2 Service” team contacted the remaining 205 former members, though only 56 were included in Noem’s group recommendation to the board.
“56 members of the United States Coast Guard who were kicked out of the service over the COVID-19 vaccine have finally been reinstated with back pay. This is a victory for religious, personal, and medical freedom for all Americans, both in and out of uniform. The last administration’s vaccine mandates were unconstitutional, un-American, and a gross violation of personal freedom. President Trump is righting these wrongs and returning those unjustly removed members to service. This decision to reinstate these members of the Coast Guard is a major step in the right direction,” Noem said in a statement.
The Coast Guard formally established a reinstatement process after the president’s executive order directed military branches to offer a path back to service for individuals separated solely because of the vaccine mandate.
The Covid-19 vaccine mandate for service members was rescinded in 2023, and vaccination is no longer required for Coast Guard personnel.
According to Coast Guard guidance, eligibility extends to former members who were separated exclusively for vaccine refusal and had no other misconduct or disqualifying issues. This includes active-duty members, reservists, and individuals who voluntarily separated but attest that their departure was due to the mandate.
Applicants must meet current accession standards, including medical and physical qualifications, and generally must agree to a minimum service commitment — typically about four years, though specific terms can vary.
Reinstated members revert to their prior rank or rate and are eligible for back pay and allowances covering the period of separation.
The Coast Guard has also implemented automatic corrections to service records. Vaccine-related administrative remarks are removed, and discharge characterizations may be upgraded, including to honorable status where appropriate.
Service members may also appeal withheld advancements or negative evaluations that were tied solely to their vaccination status.
The reinstatements approved Feb. 12 bring the total number of Coast Guard members restored to service to 125 out of the 274 who were involuntarily separated solely for refusing the vaccine. Officials have not indicated whether additional group recommendations are forthcoming.
One thought on “Coast Guard reinstates dozens separated for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine”
South central Foundation still requires its employees, new hires, and students in its training programs receive the covid shots. Guess what They are having a problem filling positions!
If they dropped the Covid shot requirement, they’ll start filling positions with people who will stay longer than a few months after being hired.