What happens to someone with over 18 years who refuses the COVID vaccine/booster? Do they get a mandatory retirement or something worse?

Refusing the vaccine will be a GOMOR if you don't get an exemption. That's policy and non negotiable. Now, if that GOMOR subsequently identifies someone for QMP/QSP, that would be a separate administrative action. People can elect to volunarily retire in lieu of getting kicked out, but you have to be at 19 years or higher to do that (retirement packets for time can be submitted to HRC no earlier than 12 months out, no later than 9).

Good luck with that, seriously.

Veterans benefits for sure but it is up to the command how the discharge is carried out. Retirement I'm not sure about but I would think that would be reserved for those who meet retirement criteria.

I knew a guy in '93 that was held past retirement for Court-Marshall. He was in the Sanctuary zone. He refused deployment - which was really stupid because it was for an exercise. I'm not sure what actually happened to him because I did retire myself about a month later.

I have not seen anything in the MILPER messages that specifically references Sanctuary (or over 18 years). The only exceptions listed are those with a medical/religios exeption (pending) or those within 180 days of separation. Per the current guidence, all others should be counseled and given a GOMAR. Further separation processes are coming, but some units have already initiated separation.

From what I've seen that anyone refusing the vaccine without a pending/approved exemptions are being identified for some level of discharge. Your local Command would have more info but it doesn't look like anyone is getting a solid pass without an exemption.

I haven't seen any guidance on it specifically. Any separation initiated for over 18 years AD has to go to HRC for approval.

I'm sure most of the people who are in Sanctuary believe that they won't be separated, but the Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense can overrule that.