Executive Order 14184 directed the military to reinstate service members discharged under the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. ALNAV 019/26 followed with Navy-level guidance. This MARADMIN is the Marine Corps' implementing instruction: it establishes who does what, how the process runs, and what gaining commands are responsible for once a Marine comes back.
Bottom line: Marines discharged under the COVID-19 vaccine mandate can apply for reinstatement now through the Marine Corps COVID-19 Reinstatement website.
Who it affects
This MARADMIN applies to the total force, but the primary audience is two groups:
- Marines who were separated under the COVID-19 vaccination mandate and want to come back, to either active or reserve service.
- Commands that will receive reinstated Marines and are responsible for their reintegration and records audit.
If you were not separated under the mandate and you are not a gaining command, this is awareness only.
What you need to do
If you were discharged under the mandate and want to reinstate:
- Go to the Marine Corps COVID-19 Reinstatement website:
https://www.manpower.marines.mil/COVID-19-Reinstatement/ - Review the eligibility requirements and current program information posted there.
- Complete the COVID-19 Reinstatement/Reassessment Application in full and submit it per the instructions on the site.
- Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) will contact you after your application is received to begin screening and processing.
The process will include eligibility and medical screening, records review and potential correction through the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), determination of benefits and entitlements, and assignment coordination.
If you are a gaining command receiving a reinstated Marine:
- Conduct a comprehensive audit of the Marine's personnel, administrative, and pay records. Verify that all BCNR-directed corrections are complete. The audit covers grade and date of rank, promotion actions, service computation dates, fitness reports, adverse material removal, reenlistment codes, awards, leave balances, pay, bonuses, and any other BCNR-directed item.
- Do not stop at identifying a discrepancy. Coordinate unresolved issues through your servicing MISSO (Military Information Support Operations is not the right expansion here: MISSO in this context is the Manpower Information Systems Support Office). For RC Marines, that is MISSO 16/17. Work through the COVID-19 Reinstatement Cell (CRC) as needed until every correction is confirmed complete.
- Once everything checks out, notify the CRC at
smb_mm_covid_reinstatement@usmc.milwith the Marine's name, EDIPI, command, and a statement confirming the review is done and all BCNR actions are verified. - Provide appropriate orientation and reintegration support. Account for how long the Marine was away and what has changed. Hold them to the same standards as everyone else, but give them a real on-ramp.
Questions about the reinstatement process can go to smb_mm_covid_reinstatement@usmc.mil or the POC below.
Key dates
- No application deadline is stated in this MARADMIN. The program is open now.
- The effective date of this guidance is the release date of the MARADMIN (20 August 2026).
The official version
Source: MARADMIN 381/26
References: Executive Order 14184 (27 Jan 2025) and ALNAV 019/26.
POC: LtCol Robert Crowder, M&RA COVID-19 Reinstatement Cell. Phone: 703-784-0099. Email: robert.crowder@usmc.mil.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.