Posted on Jul 4, 2022
One in 10 Army National Guard soldiers unvaccinated as deadline passes
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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.
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.
One in 10 Army National Guard soldiers unvaccinated as deadline passes
Posted from nbcnews.com
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The officials say that if the unvaccinated troops have requested an exemption, have begun vaccination but not entered their information into the military's Electronic Health Record, or if they are being processed for separation, commanders can assign them to a temporary duty status that allows them to be paid and earn retirement credit, potentially for months, while they complete their administrative processes.
Overall about 90% of the total 435,000 National Guard service members — both the Air and Army National Guard — are now vaccinated, according to National Guard officials. About 94% of the Air National Guard are vaccinated.
Defense officials are hopeful some of the more than 37,000 Army holdouts will get their vaccine and not be forced out.
“We’re going to give every soldier every opportunity to get vaccinated and continue their military career,” said Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army Guard. “We’re not giving up on anybody until the separation paperwork is signed and completed.”"
..."The officials say that if the unvaccinated troops have requested an exemption, have begun vaccination but not entered their information into the military's Electronic Health Record, or if they are being processed for separation, commanders can assign them to a temporary duty status that allows them to be paid and earn retirement credit, potentially for months, while they complete their administrative processes.
Overall about 90% of the total 435,000 National Guard service members — both the Air and Army National Guard — are now vaccinated, according to National Guard officials. About 94% of the Air National Guard are vaccinated.
Defense officials are hopeful some of the more than 37,000 Army holdouts will get their vaccine and not be forced out.
“We’re going to give every soldier every opportunity to get vaccinated and continue their military career,” said Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army Guard. “We’re not giving up on anybody until the separation paperwork is signed and completed.”"
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