{"id":41231,"date":"2021-09-14T18:28:20","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T18:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/09\/14\/armys-plan-for-mandatory-covid-19-vaccines-is-here\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:27:25","slug":"armys-plan-for-mandatory-covid-19-vaccines-is-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/14\/armys-plan-for-mandatory-covid-19-vaccines-is-here\/","title":{"rendered":"Army\u2019s plan for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines is here"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Army rolled out its mandatory COVID-19 vaccine deadlines and refusal procedures in a Tuesday afternoon press release, becoming the final branch of the military to announce its approach to fulfilling Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin\u2019s Aug. 24 order that all uniformed personnel receive the shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Army Times also obtained a copy of the Army\u2019s execution order posted to social media that provides more details on the immunization campaign \u2014 including involuntary discharges at an unannounced future date for soldiers who refuse the vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is quite literally a matter of life and death for our Soldiers, their families and the communities in which we live,\u201d said Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, the Army Surgeon General. \u201cCase counts and deaths continue to be concerning as the Delta variant spreads, which makes protecting the force through mandatory vaccination a health and readiness priority for the total Army.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Aug. 1, at least 13 troops have died of COVID-19<\/a>, including at least four servicemembers under the age of 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But despite Dingle calling the vaccine \u201ca matter of life and death,\u201d the Army set the least ambitious timeline for vaccination of any of the military services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active duty troops have until Dec. 15 to receive one of the vaccines authorized by either the Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization. The Air Force, by comparison, has set its deadline for Nov. 2 for airmen and guardians; sailors and marines have until Nov. 28, the Navy says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs of today, more than 80% of active duty Soldiers have received at least their first dose,\u201d said Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Terence Kelley. \u201cThese dates are readiness goals, and as with any other readiness requirement, Soldiers are required to receive the vaccine when it is available and directed by their commander.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soldiers in the National Guard have until June 30, 2022, to receive their vaccines \u2014 six months longer than reservists of any other military branch, who have December deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked about the longer deadline for reserve component troops, Kelley said that it\u2019s because \u201cmany reserve component units [are] conducting virtual assemblies due to the pandemic, this timeline allows commanders the time they need to vaccinate their force.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens if a soldier refuses?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the release, soldiers who refuse to receive the vaccine will face \u201cadministrative or non-judicial punishment [under UCMJ] \u2013 to include relief of duties or discharge.\u201d The EXORD states that there will be no forcible immunizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No soldier will receive any adverse action while an exemption request is pending, though, nor will they face punishment before their commanders and medical providers have spoken with them about the vaccine and potential disciplinary proceedings if they continue to refuse. Kelley told Army Times that continued refusal could result in \u201cjudicial punishment\u201d \u2014 courts-martial \u2014 as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soldiers will be able to request \u201clegitimate\u201d medical, religious or administrative exemptions in accordance with existing Army regulations and policies<\/a>, the release said. The Army has also released a new directive that will provide additional guidance on exemption requests, but Army officials were unable to provide a copy ahead of the document\u2019s official release.<\/p>\n\n\n\t