Last Updated on July 2, 2022
The US Army announced unvaccinated troops in the National Guard and Reserves will not be allowed to train in federally funded events and could face intensive consequences.
On Friday, the U.S. Army Public Affairs released a statement that laid out punishment plans for the unvaccinated, even threatening to separate soldiers from the service.
“Unit commanders will be able to activate and pay Soldiers for limited administrative purposes, such as receiving the vaccine, processing their exemption requests, or conducting separation procedures,” the press release explained.
Soldiers who have refused to follow the Department of Defense’s vaccination order will face “adverse administrative actions, including flags, bars to service, and official reprimands.”
RELATED: Congressman Thomas Massie: ‘No One Should Be Forced To Take This Vaccine’
“In the future, Soldiers who continue to refuse the vaccination order without an exemption may be subject to additional adverse administrative action, including separation.”
The Army claims it has given the unvaccinated reservists and guardsman opportunities to receive permanent exemptions, even though only 6 out of 3,154 requests have been granted.
All six permanent exemptions were given on medical grounds and zero permanent religious exemptions have been granted even though 2,805 part-tiime soldiers have requested one.
Over 10% of the Guard and Reserve are unvaccinated, the press release noted.
“As of June 30, The Army National Guard is at 89% vaccinated with one dose and 87% fully vaccinated. The Army Reserve is at 89% vaccinated with one dose and 88% fully vaccinated.”
Axios estimated a whopping 60,000 Army Reserve and National Guard soliders have yet to be vaccinated.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) criticized the Army over their endless vaccine mandate. The Republican lawmaker believes there is no scientific basis supportive of the Army’s mandate.
“It’s a political purge, plain and simple. At this point, there’s no scientific reason for mandating a vaccine based on COVID strains that are now three years old. Nearly everyone has natural antibodies to newer strains due to exposure.,” Massie tweeted.
It’s a political purge, plain and simple.
At this point, there’s no scientific reason for mandating a vaccine based on COVID strains that are now three years old.
Nearly everyone has natural antibodies to newer strains due to exposure. https://t.co/QdVt5ezhQ5
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 29, 2022
Massie introduced a bill (H.R. 3860) last year that would “prohibit any requirement that a member of the Armed Forces receive a vaccination against COVID-19.”
Congress has yet to take up the bill.
Stay tuned to National File for any updates.
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