Can you be penalized for not being vaccinated?

2021-05-31T22:25:02-04:00

I am asking this question on behalf of a fellow platoon member who is not on RallyPoint. My coworker is in the process of PCSing to Washington this year. They submitted PCS leave for October so they can clear housing, supply, company, etc. Their leave got denied because they are not vaccinated. Now we (everyone in my company) all remember what the Secretary of Defense said when COVID first hit. They were wondering if their leave was denied on a legitimate reason?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2021 11:04 PM

2021-05-31T23:04:48-04:00

Did they ask why their leave was denied? It's weird for PCS leave to get denied even if unvaccinated. I know there are units that add more requirements to submit leave if you haven't gotten the covid vaccine yet. Or that they have to ROM when they come back from leave if unvaccinated.

Ultimately, the commander can deny leave for any reason. If I ever had leave denied, I'd ask why and what reason.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2021 11:10 PM

2021-05-31T23:10:41-04:00

Leave isn't guaranteed. Due to the lack of being vaccinated that SM can pose a risk to readiness to those in the unit and in the area. Most PCS move require a SM to go into isolation for 2 weeks. This is exempted for those that are vaccinated. It is the same thing for those going to schools at Fort Benning. You report and you go into isolation. If you are vaccinated then you can bypass that time and report on the regular day for the school.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2021 11:48 PM

2021-05-31T23:48:54-04:00

Your friend is not being penalized by having their leave denied. Your commander can deny leave for any reason, especially when it supports morale, discipline, or the health of the unit.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2021 2:10 AM

2021-06-01T02:10:43-04:00

That is a HIPA violation. There may be incentives for those who are vaccinated but you cannot be penalized for not taking the covid vax. For now it is an Army incentive.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 1 at 2021 9:18 AM

2021-06-01T09:18:07-04:00

This is not "being penalized", this is a Commander exercising his/her responsibility to protect the community from plague rats.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2021 9:56 AM

2021-06-01T09:56:31-04:00

Scenario: unvaccinated Soldier takes leave to a hot spot and contracts COVID. Returns to base or arrives at new base and infects all the other Soldiers that are unvaccinated as well. Some die. Who’s fault is that now? The Soldier? The leader that could have prevented it?

A small amount of discomfort i.e. not being allowed to take leave or go outside a radius is a small price to pay in an attempt to prevent something worse from happening. Leaders do it all the time. They attempt to reduce risk by implementing risk reduction methods and procedures.

Response by SPC Allen Werth made Jun 1 at 2021 10:46 AM

2021-06-01T10:46:53-04:00

Yes, you can die or cause the death of others for your failure.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 1 at 2021 5:46 PM

2021-06-01T17:46:12-04:00

It is amazing how one party grunts look how we got to vaccines to no they are not vaccines, they are bipolar for their convenience.