; (2) expunge from the service record of the covered individual any reference to adverse action against the covered individual solely on the basis of the refusal of the covered individual to receive a vaccination against COVID–19; and (3) include, in the computation of the retired or retainer pay of such covered individual, the period between the involuntary separation and the reinstatement of the covered individual. (c) Back pay A covered individual who was involuntarily discharged from an Armed Force and who makes a request under subsection (b) shall be entitled to back pay for the period between such separation and reinstatement of the covered individual. (d) Mandatory characterization of discharge (1) Prospective characterizations Subsection (a) of section 736 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 ( Public Law 117–81 ; 10 U.S.C. 1161 note), as amended by section 525 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 ( Public Law 117–263 ), is further amended by striking shall be— and all that follows and inserting shall be an honorable discharge . (2) Retroactive characterizations The Secretary concerned shall ensure that the characterization of the discharge of a covered individual from an Armed Force that occurred before the date of the enactment of this Act is characterized as honorable. (e) Personnel shortage The Secretary concerned shall take such steps that the Secretary determines necessary to remedy any personnel shortage arising from the mandate that a member of the Armed Forces, or a cadet or midshipman at a Federal service academy, receive a vaccination against COVID–19. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered individual means an individual who was involuntarily separated, solely on the basis of the refusal of such individual to receive a vaccination against COVID–19, from— (A) an Armed Force