Even as the Army struggles to fill its ranks during the most severe military recruiting downturn in years, thousands of troops in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine are being told this week they won’t receive pay or retirement credit for future federally-funded drills.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all service members in August 2021 and told the secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to issue guidance and timelines. The mandate included both active-duty troops and part-time reservists.
Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers who haven’t been granted an approved or pending exemption are subject to several adverse actions, including an official reprimand.