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Staff Sergeant Forced Out for Refusing COVID Vaccine Reinstated With Full Back Pay and Promotion: “I never wanted to leave the Marine Corps. I didn’t agree with the vaccine policy, but my commitment to serving never changed. I’m grateful for the opportunity to come back and continue my career. There’s nothing…that compares to the pride and purpose of serving alongside Marines.”Staff Sergeant Quiroga, an F-35 Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, was forced out on January 21, 2022 for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.Thanks to Pete Hegseth, he has been reinstated, reenlisted, and returned to active duty. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant, with rank backdated to April 1, 2024, and awarded duty station preference and full backpay.