The U.S. ARMY will discharge soldiers who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine unless they have a pending or approved exemption request. The ARMY released a statement yesterday about their decision.
“Army readiness depends on Soldiers who are prepared to train, deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Wednesday. “Unvaccinated Soldiers present a risk to the force and jeopardize readiness. We will begin involuntary separation proceedings for Soldiers who refuse the order and are not pending a final decision on an exemption.”
The order applies to “Army Soldiers, reserve-component Soldiers serving on Title 10 active-duty, and cadets,” according to the Army. Furthermore, any soldier discharged due to refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine will not be eligible for involuntary separation pay and possibly be subject to recoupment of any unearned special or incentive pay.
COVID-19 Vaccination Rate In The U.S. ARMY
As of January 26th, the U.S. ARMY has a 96% vaccine completion rate for active-duty soldiers and a 79% completion rate for reservists. In addition, the ARMY relieved six ARMY leaders and issued 3,073 soldiers written reprimands for refusing the vaccination order.
This move is the military’s effort to push the vaccine mandate that the Pentagon first introduced in 2021. Previously, CNN reported that the U.S. Marine Corps discharged 103 service members for refusing the vaccine back in December.
Health officials continuously stress that the vaccine and booster are the best way to prevent COVID-19.
