SOFREP previously reported about facemasks coming back to the military. However, new reports indicated that the army is still considering revoking the vaccine mandate, with some personnel still under the requirement.
Around 8,000 military personnel were let go from the Army due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Military Times. However, it is thought that almost all of the remaining servicemen and women have received the jab, as per CNN.
Despite the government’s announcement that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for National Guard and Ready Reserve troops should be revoked in the 2023 defense budget, it still exists in writing, as reported by The Daily Caller.
The National Defense Authorization Act has canceled the procedures laid out in an August 2021 memorandum signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and demanded that people receive the vaccine. However, an additional memorandum from November 2021, which Austin signed, is still in effect. It orders Ready Reserve and National Guard troops to be denied payment if they do not get vaccinated before the stated deadline.
A directive known as FRAGO 35, which was recently provided to Army divisions and obtained by the Daily Caller, makes clear that the repeal of the defense budget mandate does not consider Austin’s second memorandum, which it labels Annex AAAA.
The directive stipulated that commands must abide by Annex AAAA and the relevant subsections 3.D.21 to 3.D.23 unless and until the Secretary of Defense decides to replace or revoke Annex AAAA.
According to the Daily Caller, it was stated in the paragraphs cited that all Army National Guard and reserve troops must have completed their vaccinations by July 1st, 2022, regardless of whether they have been federally activated or not.
It is yet to be ascertained if the Air National Guard soldiers are still under a dictate. Still, the Austin memo in November instructed the Air Force and Army to make stricter regulations for the National Guard’s vaccine policies.
Nevertheless, the directive in FRAGO 35 that the Daily Caller identified may only exist in writing.
An official from the Defense Department informed the Daily Caller that they are suspending all activities against personnel who have not been given a vaccine, such as discharges. Maj. Charlie Dietz commented that the Department of Defense is creating a new vaccination procedure for 30 days of leniency.
A representative from the National Guard revealed to CBN News that they have suspended all activities related to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and will abide by the NDAA until further instructions from the Department of Defense are provided.
The ArmyArmy has reported that almost all of the Army National Guard (91%) have received their vaccinations. Out of the total, 5,440 have declined to receive it, but no one has been discharged for refusal.
According to the Military Times, 8,000 soldiers were released from duty for refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine. CNN reported that most of those still in service have been inoculated.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.