Over 8,000 U.S. military troops who were removed from service in 2021 for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine will be reinstated, according to an Executive Order that President Trump is set to sign. The troops will also be reimbursed for the wages lost during the time of their removal from the military.

A White House fact sheet obtained by Fox News reveals that “The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Defense to reinstate all members of the military (active and reserve) who were discharged for refusing the COVID vaccine and who request to be reinstated.”

This move follows the appointment of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his first day in office. In 2021, former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a memorandum that required military troops to get vaccinated for COVID-19 unless they received some form of exemption. In the memorandum, Austin stated:

“To defend this Nation, we need a healthy and ready force. After careful consultation with medical experts and military leadership, and with the support of the President, I have determined that mandatory vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is necessary to protect the Force and defend the American people…Our vaccination of the Force will save lives. Thank you for your focus on this critical mission.”

Secretary Austin’s order was rescinded in 2023.

According to Fox News, only 43 of the 8,000 troops chose to return to service when the order was repealed. The troops were neither reinstated nor repaid the money they lost during the time of their removal from service.

Under the new Executive Order, the troops will receive back pay, benefits, and return to their previous rank prior to Secretary Austin’s memorandum. They will also be given an apology from the U.S. government.