Is the Army granting religious exemptions for the Covid vaccine?

Larry Goodwin — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 14:38:11 -0400

A customer's grandson asked me if they're honoring religious exemptions for the covid vaccine because he wants to join the army I told him I don't know but I would ask anyone know anything about it?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2021 2:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 14:44:12 -0400

If the main general of the army talks about white rage and doesn't want to admit his failure in Afghanistan, I would say wait this one out until we have a new president. Even though they say they do give exemptions, when you are a recruit, they can be picky and not let you in. I would say wait three and a half more years.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2021 2:53 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 14:53:26 -0400

A previous post and a Military Times article.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-anyone-heard-about-any-religious-or-medical-exemptions-getting-approved-yet

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/10/18/troops-opposed-to-the-covid-19-vax-can-get-a-waiver-but-theyre-rare/

Has anyone heard about any religious or medical exemptions getting approved yet? | RallyPoint

Has anyone heard about any religious or medical exemptions getting approved yet? I haven't seen any news about any of them getting approved or rejected. We're coming up on the vaccine mandate deadlines fast: Air Force (Active): Nov. 2 Navy and Marines (Active): Nov. 28 Air Force (RC, NG): Dec. 2 Army (Active): Dec. 15 Navy and Marines (RC): Dec. 28 Army (RC, NG): Jun. 30, 2022

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 23 at 2021 4:21 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 16:21:43 -0400

The process exists but similar to religious exemptions for anything else it’s not a fast procedure and isn’t a guarantee it will be granted

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Oct 23 at 2021 4:59 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 16:59:34 -0400

If he doesn't want to do his part as to receiving his vaccination, why should the Army think that he'll put his buddies ahead of himself in combat?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2021 5:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 17:48:23 -0400

The Army does grant them but there are other challenges you may face. You may be non-deployable. To me this is a readiness issue. I have deployed 3 times and have been vaccinated for viruses that I have never seen in real life. The choice is up to the person. I can respect their choice but then the Army can decide to deny it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2021 7:25 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 19:25:52 -0400

Religious exemptions were finalized and sent up, at least at Fort Carson, approximately 2 weeks ago. There are quite a lot and there hasn’t been any word on them yet. Soldiers were advised it was going to be a multi-approval authority type of thing. Chaplain corps would have to review memo and approve then the surgeon general and finally another authority to approve it all. I don’t think anyone has an approved on at this time.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2021 8:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 20:36:44 -0400

Update, I just got off the phone with my chief of staff of my Army command. I have to sign a counselling form saying I don't want to get the coronavirus vaccination due to religious reasons. I have to vent talk to the chaplain and then I have to get a signed letter from my local Parish priest. It will then go through many layers of command and it will have to be decided at the highest level but I am going to be out by the end of the year so staff of my command said don't worry about it just fill out the paperwork. In your case, they will probably not let you in under any circumstances with this Administration. Just like when you go through the military entrance processing oh, if you have plates and screws from a broken ankle like I have now suffered from an accident in the military, they won't kick me out I just had to leave a unit that was going to be airborne. They were transitioning from being a non Airborne to airborne. Military regulations are pretty strict. There is a chance in the future. Time will tell but even the US military is teaching critical race Theory and that goes against the military and its lessons on equal opportunity. We had a leftist president that is doing things contrary to American norms. So the answer is no.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2021 12:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 12:41:33 -0400

From what I've read - not really. Especially if people didn't ever file a religious exemption for any other vaccine.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/10/18/troops-opposed-to-the-covid-19-vax-can-get-a-waiver-but-theyre-rare/

"The most recently available data shows that the Navy and Marine Corps have zero religious vaccine exemptions on the books, which hasn’t changed since the Defense Department announced its intention to mandate COVID-19 vaccination in August."

"Back then, the Air Force reported 336 administrative exemptions, which includes religious exemptions, but they were unable to break those out individually, out of a force of roughly 500,000.

The other kind of administrative exemption can be granted to troops who are within six months of separation from service, on leave, in the middle of a permanent change-of-station move, absent-without-leave or otherwise missing."

"As of Wednesday, according to Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek, no further exemptions had been approved.

The Army currently has 106 administrative exemptions, spokesman Lt. Col. Gabriel Ramirez told Military Times on Monday, which includes religious exemptions. The total Army includes just over 1 million soldiers."

"Some temporary exemptions, including any for temporary leave, pregnancy, medical treatment or others, may expire before those deadlines.

Any waiver involves an extensive process that not only informs the service member of the risks they’re taking ― either to their health or careers ― by not getting vaccinated, but also a rundown of alternatives.

Medical exemptions can be granted for a variety of reasons, including past adverse reactions to vaccination, allergies to vaccine ingredients or a handful of conditions that the CDC recognizes as high-risk."

"For those citing religious opposition, the process is much more involved. Decisions are approved by service personnel directorates or medical commands, with the recommendation of commanders, after consultation with staff judge advocates, chaplains and physicians."

Troops opposed to the COVID-19 vax can get a waiver, but they’re rare

Out of millions of service members, only a handful have current religious exemptions from vaccines.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2021 11:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:35:04 -0400

LCpl Benji Smith
Posted 4 h ago
Gregory Prickett you are a coward. A prim example of why enlisted hate officers. State your opinion, no mater how miss guided. And then block someone because you are afraid. Nice going coward.

Oh Benji - you call him a coward for blocking yet you have blocked so many people solely for disagreeing with you, including me. Quite the hypocrite aren't we?

Also - I don't hate officers. I'm enlisted. I guess I've been lucky enough to have more decent officers than not. Hmm.

*misguided.

Response by SrA Jason Adams made Nov 18 at 2021 9:50 PM

SrA Jason Adams — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 21:50:03 -0500

We were vaccinated in basic training and when deploying to certain regions, we had no choice in the matter. Not that I was aware of anyway. This may have changed though. He'll have to weigh his options and come to a decision about what's more important to him, but what I'm reading and hearing is that the DOD isn't giving exemptions on this.

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Dec 11 at 2021 12:19 PM

PO1 Don Uhrig — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 12:19:17 -0500

May the interested party should ask the Army, not an online forum that will provide a multitude of responses that may be in accurate. Go to the proper source.