Do you think we should question orders?

Ok the N-95 is an effective tool for what it is designed for. Cloth masks...I have answered this one a bizzillion times over: Go to google and type in Efficacy of Cloth Masks for COVID-19. You will find numerous medical studies from the British Lancet, JAMA, NLM, and so on. All of these are are peer reviewed studies, and most review 20-50 studies (I think the Lancet reviewed 160 studies) All of them pretty much come to the same conclusion: How the mask is worn, quality and thread count of the material in question were the two basic things that keep coming back. So I hope that help alleviate that concern. Next the vaccine: Pizer is on the verge of FDA Approval, that should put that one to bed soon enough. I suspect that Moderna won't be far behind. Also go back to the Continental Army, George Washington eventually had to order troops to be variolated (noticed I did not say vaccinated as Jenner would not find out that vaccinia would protect people from Small Pox for years to come), meaning they were exposed to the live Small Pox virus. Notice history doesn't show that there was a revolt against Washington.

If the Army wanted you to have freedom of choice, they would have issued you some.

I agree that the effectiveness of cloth masks is questionable, but requiring troops to wear masks doesn't get anywhere near unlawful order territory. I think we all know why they're requiring these things: part to look like they're doing something, part for CYA in case someone gets sick, and part just in case they actually help people avoid the disease. Not much point in risking angry superiors by questioning those orders. When I was in the Army, I thought that a cap with a bill that kept the sun out of my eyes made a lot more sense than wearing a silly beret, but I wore one anyway.

Vaccines that the brass thought would be useful have long been required. When I processed into the Army, they shot a bunch of things in my arm. I had no idea what they were, and I wasn't in any position to ask (especially with a drill sergeant in the room). If the military can make a good case that a vaccine will improve military effectiveness without hurting more people than it helps, then they can order it. After all, the President can order you without a moment's notice to go into an extremely dangerous situation where people are trying to kill you. We agreed to that when we raised our hands at the enlistment ceremony.

These orders are coming from way up the chain of command. Who are you going to question? The Secretary of Defense? The President? If you make a big deal about it with any of the superiors you actually have access too, they'll just think you're a whiner and not a team player, even if they agree with your points.

You're an SFC. Why not save your capital with your leaders to go to bat for your troops in situations where your input can make a difference.

Craig, what are you smoking? The military IS "a political". We can start with the Indian Wars of the 1800s--land and mineral grabs; 1950s Korean War--protect Japan from Russia; 1960s Vietnam--stop the spread of Communism, etc. N95 mask DOES PROVIDE some protection from many things--the flu and COVID-19. I believe you are required to follow all lawful orders of Officers and NCOs over you. Suck it up or get out. Simple. If it was up to me, the vaccinations would have been mandatory for all military personnel from the "get-go" like many other vaccinations.