One in 10 Army National Guard soldiers unvaccinated as deadline passes

The deadline for all Army National Guard soldiers to be vaccinated for Covid passed at midnight, with about a tenth of the 330,000 soldiers still unvaccinated and subject to financial penalties or potential future expulsion.

Defense officials said earlier this week, however, that amid the Guard's recruiting crisis, there were already signs that unit commanders may be allowed to let unvaccinated troops continue receiving pay and benefits for some period. On Friday, the Army announced a way for commanders to keep unvaccinated soldiers on limited duty.

In November, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin directed that members of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard who were unvaccinated by the deadline would be unable to participate in drills, get paid or put their service days toward their retirement. Their continued refusal could result in "separation," or expulsion from the service.