After a grueling four-year battle, Army Captain Mark Charles Bashaw has emerged victorious, stepping back into uniform with full reinstatement and a retroactive promotion.
The crowning achievement of Eugene Vindman @YVindman has been overturned.
— NOVA Campaigns (@NoVA_Campaigns) October 24, 2025
Vindman prosecuted a court martial vs @MCBashaw over his C19 vax refusal.
This week @DeptofWar threw it all out and reinstated, promoted, and welcomed back @MCBashaw https://t.co/dPE9bedXgv pic.twitter.com/Z9m96EOffW
On October 24, 2025, Bashaw announced on X that his reinstatement was granted, retroactively promoted to Captain with a Date of Rank of December 13, 2021, and no break in service. Orders have been issued for him to report for active duty on November 1, 2025, following an unlawful discharge, court-martial, and 413 days banned from his post.
Army Lieutenant Who Was Court-Martialed for Refusing COVID-19 Shot Granted Full Reinstatement and Retroactive Promotion After Under Secretary of War Steps In to Fix Slow Processing https://t.co/VfGEQmmcg9
— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) October 24, 2025
His ordeal stemmed from refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, citing religious objections and concerns over “weaponized” products, a stance that led to threats of Leavenworth imprisonment.
Accompanied by a commemorative coin marking his pardon by President Donald J. Trump on May 28, 2025, Bashaw’s story is a testament to resilience, culminating in a heartfelt “Glory to God” on social media.
Bashaw’s case is part of a broader movement to reintegrate military members discharged over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The mandate, implemented in 2021 under President Biden, required all active-duty personnel to be vaccinated, leading to over 8,400 discharges by late 2022 for refusal, according to the Associated Press. The Marine Corps saw the highest number with 3,717 discharges, followed by the Navy (2,041), Army (1,841), and Air Force (834, including Space Force).
The policy was rescinded in December 2022 via a defense spending bill signed by Biden, halting further discharges. However, reinstatement efforts lagged until a January 2025 executive order, following a policy shift under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, mandated the Department of Defense to offer full restoration of benefits and rank to affected personnel.
On Monday, @MCBashaw emailed me about several "last mile" issues in the COVID reinstatement process. We immediately convened @USArmy leaders to address them. At this stage, any delays are unacceptable. We're committed to reinstating our impacted warriors ASAP.
— Under Secretary of War Anthony J. Tata (@USW_PR_HONTata) October 23, 2025
Under Secretary of War Anthony J. Tata played a pivotal role, intervening to resolve “last mile” issues in Bashaw’s case after a direct email. He said. “We’re making steady progress on the reinstatement process, other remedies & task force creation.”
This reflects a growing commitment to rectify past injustices, with thousands of discharged service members now eligible for reinstatement. Critics, however, call for accountability for officers who enforced the mandate, while supporters hail Bashaw as a hero who endured tyranny. His return symbolizes hope for others, with ongoing efforts to ensure no service member faces similar reprisals, marking a significant chapter in military policy reform.