Mills: Unvaccinated military previously fired must be reinstated with back pay
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FLV) – Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., advocated for military members who were fired for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine during a committee hearing on Tuesday.
Mills is pushing to allow the individuals who were “unlawfully purged” to re-enter the military with full benefits, back pay, and “be granted what they should have been given – which is a chance to serve our United States military.”
The Committee on Armed Services received testimony from government witnesses on the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the Department of Defense and service members. Lawmakers asked officials if soldiers were being allowed to return to service after being terminated.
“Ensuring those 8400+ service members receive the benefits they are entitled to is a top priority of mine while serving on @HASCRepublicans,” Mills said.
In January, the Department of Defense rescinded a memorandum mandating that members of the Armed Forces under DOD authority be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the memorandum pertaining to the vaccination of National Guard and Reserve personnel.
More than 8,000 service members lost their jobs for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Officials told lawmakers that service members can go through the regular process to be reinstated. AP reports that service members would need to go to a review board to have their discharge status changed, and then would be able to try to reenlist.
“Defense Under Secretary for ‘Personnel and Readiness’ signals NO PLAN to actively reach out and bring back discharged service members for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. following the meeting.
Mills questioned Department of Defense Under Secretary of Defense Personnel Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. during the hearing.
“You said in your statement a moment ago that the United States military is as strong now as ever, even with the 8,400 purged out of our military and the 25,000 and a shortage in our recruitment. So you’re saying that we don’t need those additional 30,000+ troops, is what you’re saying, to maintain strength?” Mills asked.
“Where my statement was, Congressman, is that the COVID-19 vaccine allowed us to go out and to train, it allowed us to operate, it allows to deploy around the world, and keep up our mission and carry out the national defense strategy and defend the nation,” Cisneros said.
“By increasing the battle fatigue, sir, because I can tell you, I spent over seven years in Iraq, over three years in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Pakistan, was blown up twice in 2006, there is a such thing as battle fatigue, maybe you haven’t experienced it, because there wasn’t recruitment shortages to the level they are right now – but they do exist,” Mills said.
Mills is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and a Bronze Star recipient. He was a Trump appointee to the Pentagon as a Department of Defense advisor.
“We must defend and protect our military personnel and ensure highest levels of readiness and training,” Mills said to Florida’s Voice.
