Service members forced to pay back signing bonuses after being fired over COVID vax: ‘Kick in the face’
Troops say mental health impacted by military's treatment
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}U.S. service members who were fired for refusing to comply with the Pentagon's COVID-19 vaccine mandate are now being forced to pay back their original recruitment bonuses, which they tell Fox News Digital is a "kick in the face" after years of dedicating their lives to protecting the country.
One former Army soldier who was fired for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine last May told Fox News Digital that he would have to pay back his original signing bonus upon his termination from the military because he did not complete the commitment in his contract.
The soldier had signed a contract with the Army for six years and received a $7,000 bonus. However, because he fell short of the six years, the military notified him that he owed the government a prorated amount of slightly over $4,000. In order to pay it back, he ended up having to "sell" 60 of his unused vacation days to cover the amount owed.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He said that effects on his mental health have been extremely negative because the way he was treated by the military was a "final kick in the face."
PENTAGON DITCHES COVID VACCINE MANDATE FOR TROOPS
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden serve food to soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images / File)
"I've deployed multiple times, and I feel like the last thing I had was selling leave days that I earned and was never able to take due to me being deployed or needing that time to prepare for the training cycle. I was about to enter a new world with no income, and that extra bit would have been a nice buffer in my rainy day fund to keep me afloat until I was able to find new employment," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The Department of Defense continues to fall short on reestablishing trust for wrongdoings, and this is yet another example of that," another service member told Fox News Digital, who said the recoupment of signing bonuses is the "icing on the cake" of the Pentagon's recent treatment of troops.
This month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin signed a memo that will update the records and remove letters of reprimand from troops whose exemption requests to the vaccine were denied. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images / File)
"The appalling treatment these individuals endured broke the trust that is owed to our citizens and our volunteers. America’s sons and daughters," the Army member said in a statement. "Until true efforts are made to establish trust, the recruiting and retention shortfalls will only continue. The individuals who make public statements that they are unsure what has contributed to the current recruiting and retention shortfalls need to take a look in the mirror; and perhaps they should resign for the betterment of our Nation."
HOW THE PUSH TO END THE MILITARY VAX MANDATE CULMINATED IN THE NDAA
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The push by the Pentagon to recoup signing bonuses from fired service members comes after President Biden signed the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which included a provision, cleared by the House and the Senate, to repeal the administration's military vaccine mandate. This month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin signed a memo that will update the records and remove letters of reprimand from troops whose exemption requests to the vaccine were denied.
The Pentagon responded in a statement saying that despite DOD ending its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, there is "no plan" to stop the recoupment of bonuses.
"By law, and with certain exceptions, a Service member who is paid a bonus and fails to satisfy the conditions for receipt of the bonus, such as completing a term of additional obligated service, must repay to the United States the amount of any unearned portion of the bonus," said spokesperson Maj. Charlie Dietz. "In general, the Department is required to recoup any unearned portions of bonuses from members who receive them but separate before their service obligations are completed."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The military Services recouped unearned payment as a matter of standard practice in appropriate cases of members who were separated from their branch of Service for refusing a lawful order to take the COVID-19 vaccine. In some circumstances, prior recoupment actions may still be ongoing even though the COVID-19 vaccine mandate has been rescinded. An example is cases where some fraction of the required repayment amount remained unpaid following discharge. There is no plan to stop recoupment of unearned pay," Dietz continued.
"As with a range of issues, all Service members and Veterans may apply at any time to the appropriate Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction for Military/Naval Records for correction and/or redress."
The Pentagon has said back pay for troops fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine is not an issue the DOD is "pursuing." (AP Photo / Susan Walsh / File)
Lawmakers are pressuring the Pentagon to do more and provide back pay for the roughly 8,400 U.S. troops fired after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the Pentagon has said back pay for troops fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine is not an issue the DOD is "pursuing."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Reinstatement is a priority for some Republicans who have said the strict mandate is one reason why military recruitment is at a "record low."
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An Army spokesperson referred the inquiry to the Pentagon.