COVID-19 Military Mandate Transparency Act

This legislation, titled the "COVID-19 Military Mandate Transparency Act," directs the Secretary of Defense to undertake a comprehensive study concerning members of the Armed Forces who separated due to the **COVID-19 vaccine mandate**. The study specifically focuses on individuals who were involuntarily or voluntarily separated between August 24, 2021, and January 10, 2023, solely for refusing the vaccine. The Secretary must submit a detailed report to Congress within 180 days, which will then be made publicly available. This report requires data on the number of such individuals, those who were **denied religious exemptions**, and those who returned to service under Executive Order 14184. A key focus is on the **transfer of education benefits** to dependents, particularly instances where service members did not complete the required years of service for their dependents to utilize these benefits. The study also mandates an analysis of the **budgetary impact** of potentially allowing these dependents to use transferred benefits regardless of the service member's incomplete service. All data must be disaggregated by factors such as Armed Force, component, grade, years of service, and discharge characterization. Finally, the report must include the Secretary's recommendations to address these separations and ensure appropriate benefits for affected veterans.