Soldiers who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine and have not requested an exemption will no longer be allowed to re-enlist or be promoted, effectively ending their military careers.
The new directive applies to active-duty troops as well as reservists and National Guardsmen, including those serving in states whose governors do not require the vaccine.
The Nov. 16 memo, signed by Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, says troops’ service records will be flagged the day they make their final COVID-19 vaccine refusal. This flag will ban them from being promoted, reenlisting, continuing to receive enlistment bonuses, attending service-related schools, or receiving tuition assistance.
No member of the armed forces should be punished for making a personal medical decision.
— Representative Mike Loychik (@MikeLoychik) November 17, 2021
I will be introducing legislation to protect Ohio’s National Guard from vaccine mandates. pic.twitter.com/OWgh0q9a70
“I authorize commanders to impose bars to continued service…for all soldiers who refuse the mandatory vaccine order without an approved exemption or pending exemption request,” Wormuth wrote in the memo. “The Soldier will remain flagged until they are fully vaccinated, receive an approved medical or administrative exemption, or are separated from the Army.”
US Army Secretary: National Guard members who refuse vaccine will not 'continue service' https://t.co/q8kjdqHmDL
— News 19 (@whnt) November 20, 2021
Retired National Guard General blasts Oklahoma's vaccine stance as ‘direct attack’ on military readiness https://t.co/dHMIy5v4Bf #SmartNews
— TeeMichelle (@TeeMichelle57) November 20, 2021
"Pentagon Responds to Oklahoma National Guard’s Rejections of Vaccine Mandate'
— Robert W Malone, MD (@RWMaloneMD) November 14, 2021
“I hereby order that no Oklahoma Guardsmen be required to take the COVID Vac, notwithstanding any other Fed requirement.”https://t.co/oV4mZHZK3j