The long ongoing issue between the Pentagon and some of the personnel in the armed forces who refused to take the vaccination has come to an end. Pentagon had asked all the defense personnel to get their vaccination as quickly as possible and was given a year’s time. Still many of the troops had refused to comply so and are currently facing disciplinary actions for the same.
Disciplinary Action Taken Against Armed Forces For Refusing To Vaccinate
As per reports around 20,000 people who are not vaccinated in the force are at risk of being dismissed. The statistics so far is that the marine corps has dismissed 103 marines till now, while the Army has discharged 2,700 soldiers for the same. Airforce officials stated that they have suspended 27 airmen till now on the grounds of refusal to take vaccines.
As of now, it is not sure how many more personnel are going to be removed. At the initial stage, 30,000 personnel were unvaccinated however, many received an exemption on the grounds of medical reasons. Defense spokesman stated that no forces have provided exemption on the basis of religious grounds as of now.
Many of the forces are still waiting for their exemptions to be reviewed and have refused to take the vaccine first hand. 1.5% of the total defense personnel have refused to take the vaccines.
The defense number stands at 1.3 million currently including army, navy, and air force. Army has stated that 98% of its soldiers have taken at least one dose however 3,800 soldiers have flatly refused and disciplinary actions are to be taken upon them in the coming weeks.
Marine Corps stands at 95% while Airforce stands at 97.5% of being fully vaccinated.
These numbers show a great risk to the country and that too when the nation is in the mid of another wave caused by either delta or Omicron. John Kirby who is the spokesman for Pentagon stated that Lloyd Austin who is the defense Secretary only wants all the personnel to get vaccinated as this is the only way in which they can stay away from hospitals and serve their country and their fellowmen as well.
The army which has the largest personnel is observed that very few among them sought religious exemption as compared to Air Force and Navy. Pentagon has stated that even the National Guards need to be fully vaccinated, however, the authority of the National guard falls on the governor of the state and no actions have been taken from their side as of now.
As many as 5 governors have written to Llyod Austin who is the general secretary that they won’t be asking the troops to get vaccinated. It would be their own will and they won’t be dismissing them of their duties if they are not vaccinated. This has caused a bit of turf between the General secretary and governors and the five states are Iowa, Mississippi, Wyoming, Alaska, and Nebraska.
Pentagon has not yet responded to the situation of the National Guard. White House spokesperson stated that President Joe Biden would like all of his troops to be vaccinated and be safe as they are the backbone of this country and they might have to be dispatched sometimes in other countries as well.
As of now US is seeing a high number of cases with delta and Omicron combined. Omicron now makes up to 3.7% of all the active cases in US and is spreading at an alarming pace within the country. Scientists and researchers have asked people to get their booster shots as this seems to be working against Omicron.
