What will the military do to service members who will not get the vaccine?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:45:47 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 3:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:46:17 -0400

No one is asking, so I will.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 3:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:56:16 -0400

Right now, nothing punitive if that is what you are meaning. Only thing happening is folks are being told to wear a mask. DoD has not stated the shot(s) being mandatory. Until then, kind of a moot argument.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 4:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:07:36 -0400

I am over 60, have some health conditions, and I received my vaccination in early March as soon as I could get mine at the VA (there was a shortage in my area). I have had no ill effects except a sore arm. My arm was more sore receiving a tetanus shot. President Trump received his shot in January. I don't understand the aversion to the vaccine.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 2 at 2021 4:20 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:20:44 -0400

Right now it isn't mandatory so nothing at the moment.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 2 at 2021 4:28 PM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:28:55 -0400

Here is a link to provide some guidance on exemptions to lawful vaccine orders. Keep in mind, Commanders have the ability to use UCMJ, if necessary, including court-martial. They can also provide the vaccine by force and then process the UCMJ charge, so chose carefully.
The flu vaccine was a common point of concern prior to Covid and you can find this on RP if you search for them.
When I was on active duty the Anthrax shot had lots of 'unexpected outcomes'. I had no problems with it, but some people did and were treated for bad reactions, but no life threatening outcomes. I view any vaccine the military provides, as the service owes me medical care, if I ever have a bad reaction.
I have had 40+ shots from 1986 - 2017 from Gulf War, Europe, Japan, Africa, OEF and OIF. I have had preventative medications for malaria that made for vibrant dreams and other medications that created odd memory issues that went away after I stopped taking it.
Bottom line is trust and integrity of our health officials are to do the right thing for service members. We must trust that all people are trying to do the right thing, if some problems show up later the military system or the VA system will handle it.
https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/Immunization-Healthcare/Clinical-Consultation-Services/Exemption-Guidance

Immunization Exemption Guidance

Exemption Guidance for immunizations

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 2 at 2021 4:44 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:44:27 -0400

As it stands, should they mandate the alternative is masks and routine testing, just as the Feds are discussing. Once and if the vaccine passes the full FDA approval it could become more difficult for Soldiers who wish to decline.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Aug 2 at 2021 5:20 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:20:55 -0400

I would kick them out and give them a bad number. Why would we want a walking petri dish harboring who knows what manner of viruses among our finest??

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 2 at 2021 5:38 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:38:43 -0400

Sgt Williams I will let you in on a dirty little secret: there are very few people who can actually not get a vaccine shot. George Washington ordered it with small pox variolation (using the actual small pox disease to inoculate soldiers, so history works against you. For civilians: Jacobson vs Mass SCOTUS Ruling in 1905 lays the ground work that you do not have a right to run around and infect people. If it is a reasonable request the courts have said tis okay (that is a very short version, read the actual case). So all the talking heads both in your unit, TV, and everywhere else really are in for a rude awakening if it comes down to that.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 2 at 2021 5:42 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:42:25 -0400

Send them to the most isolated place they have and bring them back when they are vaccinated or dead.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 2 at 2021 6:03 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 18:03:07 -0400

Right now, nothing since it's under Emergency Use Authorization - unless a policy comes out to change that. Pres Biden did instruct the DoD to come up with a plan for mandatory vaccines...

Once there's full certification from the FDA, it's definitely mandatory. After that - it depends on what kind of guidance gets issued for those who have no legitimate exemption to not getting it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 6:22 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 18:22:40 -0400

I would assume it would start off like the Anthrax vaccine and become mandatory until people challenge it in court and win. Then the DOD will stop mandating the vaccine.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 11:51 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 23:51:30 -0400

I anticipate severe consequences. When we enter FY22, unvaccinated Soldiers may even face separation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2021 1:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 01:23:52 -0400

Just look up anthrax shot refusals and you'll see what will happen. The vast majority of people will take the shots, just like when we had the rushed H1N1 vaccine mass inoculations. A very minute population will decide that this is the hill they will die on and they will he separated, and the military will continue to move on.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 3 at 2021 2:11 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 02:11:47 -0400

Vaccinations have been mandatory for several generations. Smallpox, tetanus, yellow fever, and the list goes on. Concern is what the relatively new thing will do long term. I remember anthrax. It was problematical in some aspects but mandatory. The MIL side makes readiness and operational effectiveness decisions. I'm surprised this current vaccine wasn't mandatory last year. If mandatory and refused, it's refusal to follow a lawful order. Punishment is issued accordingly. Problems down the road are boogers that get flicked over to VA and the MIL side moves on. I don't expect any particular changes as too much uncertainty gets introduced into the business model. And the "vote with your feet thing?" Adjustments are made to intake and life moves on. The MIL side simply doesn't know how to do anything different.