The Pentagon is trying to woo back to the military thousands of service members involuntarily discharged over refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccination, starting with “letters of apology” sent this week, according to the defense official overseeing the effort.

Tim Dill, the Defense Department’s acting deputy undersecretary of personnel and readiness, told reporters Tuesday that President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are “eager to welcome back those who are impacted” by the Pentagon’s 2021 vaccine mandate.

“They never should have had to leave military service, and the department is committed to assisting them in their return,” Dill said.

He said DOD this week has begun to send letters of apology to former service members who were involuntarily separated due to their COVID-19 vaccine status, along with instructions on how they can pursue a return to service.

Other parts of the outreach campaign include emails, phone calls, websites set up on Monday with reenlistment information, and social media posts, Dill said.

The Pentagon in August 2021 required all service members, including those in the National Guard and Reserve, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or face being ousted. Then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin argued the mandate was critical to keeping U.S. forces healthy and ready to........

© The Hill