After the DOD issued new guidance in regards to the COVID vaccination requirements, the military service branches are working to adjust their policies on separation and promotion for those who refused the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pentagon specifically notified the service branches to tell them by March 17th how they would implement the changes.
The Army and Air Force, who also issues guidance for the Space Force, stated that they would remove or correct adverse actions in records related to vaccine refusal. This includes counseling sheets, recorded individual counseling, nonjudicial punishments (NJPs), and current discharge proceedings. The Department of the Air Force further delineated that “promotion records will be corrected to remove or redact all adverse actions related to vaccine refusal.”
While the policy change has occurred, the Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth, stated in the press release that they are encouraging vaccinations, stating “We will continue to promote and encourage COVID vaccination for all personnel to ensure readiness, facilitate mission accomplishment and protect the force.”
The Coast Guard stated they would remove adverse administrative remarks in regard to the COVID-19 vaccination by March 31.
The Navy has now lifted the requirement for COVID-19 vaccination for deployment. The policy does allow commanders to “implement Health Protection Measures at any time,” and this could include restriction of movement when in port. There are countries that military members travel to that have vaccination laws, particularly for COVID-19, so those service members not vaccinated may not be able to attend joint exercises within those countries.
The Marine Corps, a branch within the US Department of the Navy, no longer requires vaccination for deployment. Capt.Ryan Bruce, a Marine Corps spokesperson, told Military.com that “Marines will defer to Combatant Command policies regarding deployments.”
Nothing has been said about the service members who were separated during the period since the COVID-19 vaccine was mandated. The Navy separated 2,089 active-duty sailors over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to USNI.
The vaccine should be mandated without question. Military members often live within close quarters to one another and an infected, unvaccinated service member can infect and make ill even a person who is vaccinated. That can seriously impede unit readiness.
Damage already done, can’t be reversed.
This is a slap in the face of those who were involuntarily separated for refusing the vaccine. Many lives were ruined in the process.
I’m a retired Air Force firefighter serving from May 1973 – May 1993. Back in the day, depending on where your orders sent you, you just went to the hospital exposed your arm and took the shots. I even remember having to receive a plague shot prior to being assigned to Andersen AFB, Guam. What ever happened to force readiness?
It is a start. But until every service member separated because of COVID policy’s is
1.) Offered reinstatement, at the paygrade they would achieved had they not been separated.
2.) No loss of time for retirement.
3.) Monetary compensation for lost income.
4.) An apology from the highest leaves of the Chain of Command.
Until these things happen the services have not begone to make things right
Let’s hope that those who were forced to separate do not have any negative content in their military file or discharge category that will also deny them earned benefits. It’s bad enough their country turned their backs on them, the bravest who stood their ground and upheld their oath to not respond to illegitimate and unlawful orders, exactly the type of serviceperson this country reveres.