What happens to someone with over 18 years who refuses the COVID vaccine/booster? Do they get a mandatory retirement or something worse?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 04:55:51 -0500

Response by PFC David Foster made Jan 3 at 2022 5:32 AM

PFC David Foster — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 05:32:12 -0500

Good luck with that, seriously.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 5:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 05:35:22 -0500

Veterans benefits for sure but it is up to the command how the discharge is carried out. Retirement I'm not sure about but I would think that would be reserved for those who meet retirement criteria.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jan 3 at 2022 7:40 AM

LTC Eugene Chu — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 07:40:22 -0500

In my USAR unit, we had a few COVID vaccine refusers. They are supposed to receive counseling signed by Brigade commander about consequences of not complying. If they want religious or medical exemption, they are supposed to talk to either chaplain or military doctor. If they do not receive vaccine by mandatory requirement date, separation process starts. Actual discharge or retirement type may be dependent on case-by-case circumstances.

I got lucky and two people who had 20+ years service retire in order to save us the paperwork hassle. The higher HQs did us a favor and expedited their retirement packet.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 8:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 08:38:00 -0500

I haven't seen any guidance on it specifically. Any separation initiated for over 18 years AD has to go to HRC for approval.

I'm sure most of the people who are in Sanctuary believe that they won't be separated, but the Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense can overrule that.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 3 at 2022 8:50 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 08:50:02 -0500

From what I've seen that anyone refusing the vaccine without a pending/approved exemptions are being identified for some level of discharge. Your local Command would have more info but it doesn't look like anyone is getting a solid pass without an exemption.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 9:08 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 09:08:24 -0500

I have not seen anything in the MILPER messages that specifically references Sanctuary (or over 18 years). The only exceptions listed are those with a medical/religios exeption (pending) or those within 180 days of separation. Per the current guidence, all others should be counseled and given a GOMAR. Further separation processes are coming, but some units have already initiated separation.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 3 at 2022 9:24 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 09:24:01 -0500

I knew a guy in '93 that was held past retirement for Court-Marshall. He was in the Sanctuary zone. He refused deployment - which was really stupid because it was for an exercise. I'm not sure what actually happened to him because I did retire myself about a month later.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 3 at 2022 9:53 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 09:53:57 -0500

Refusing the vaccine will be a GOMOR if you don't get an exemption. That's policy and non negotiable. Now, if that GOMOR subsequently identifies someone for QMP/QSP, that would be a separate administrative action. People can elect to volunarily retire in lieu of getting kicked out, but you have to be at 19 years or higher to do that (retirement packets for time can be submitted to HRC no earlier than 12 months out, no later than 9).