Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), is looking for answers from the United States Army on behalf of the thousands of soldiers who were discharged for refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
The Republican senator sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth this week asking if the soldiers who were removed would receive back pay if they decide to re-enlist.
“These mandates certainly harmed our military’s readiness and tragically destroyed the careers of thousands of brave volunteers,” Schmitt wrote.
“These members have faced negative implications for veterans benefits and employment outside of the military. It is likely that most of these former members will never return to the military and serve our nation.”
Schmitt also asked if the Army plans to reach out to the discharged members to find out if they’d like to rejoin.
“Instead of focusing on the lethality of our Army, political leaders forced COVID-19 mandates onto our service members,” he said. “In 2022, the Army missed its recruitment goals by approximately 15,000 soldiers, or nearly 25%. The Army has referenced a declining trust in the military, and I am convinced that mandates during COVID-19 for vaccinations and masks have made recruits refrain from serving our nation.”
