The Department of War will declassify an internal after-action review of its coronavirus vaccine mandate, the department announced.
Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the National Academy of Public Administration to conduct the review to capture lessons learned and improve future policy as part of efforts to rebuild trust with service members discharged under the mandate. An internal panel convened by the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness will examine official decisions, coordination, planning, and execution from January 2020 through January 2023.
“The Department is fully committed to restoring honor and rebuilding trust with the warfighters impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate,” Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata said in a July 15, 2026, news release. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, we continue to prioritize reinstatement, deliver remedies, and establish permanent safeguards against future mandates.”
Tata added that “the actions detailed in these memorandums reflect our ongoing dedication to transparency and accountability. By having members of the affected community lead the internal after-action review and further analyze how the COVID-19 vaccine mandate influenced decision-making and readiness—and making the findings public—we will ensure that the Department learns from the past and does not repeat these mistakes in the future.”
The review’s findings will be published publicly by February 2027. The memorandum on the Review of the Department of War Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Mandate and the memorandum on the Declassification of the Department of War Internal After-Action Review of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Mandate Report is available online, along with additional information at the department’s reinstatement page.
Officials reported the steps reflect commitments to accountability and transparency.
Provided by Dallas Express
