The Department of Defense is 'exploring' the possibility of providing back pay to former U.S. service members who were separated over the coronavirus vaccine mandate.
. While unvaccinated service members are no longer at risk of getting involuntarily separated following Austin's memo earlier this week, it did not allow for those people to rejoin the service or receive back pay.
"Regarding back pay, the Department is still exploring this and will provide its views on legislation of this nature at the appropriate time and through the appropriate process," Pentagon spokesman Maj. Charlie Dietz told theThe department separated roughly 8,400 service members who refused to get the vaccine or get an exemption request approved while the policy was in effect.
While service members may not be discharged for not receiving the vaccine, these people could still be barred from certain deployments. "Certainly commanders do have a responsibility to ensure that if they're sending forces to a place that requires a vaccine that that's a situation that will be addressed, you know, on a case-by-case basis," Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said on Thursday."But you know, we have a responsibility for the health and welfare of our forces.
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