Ending COVID-Vax Mandate Would Divide Troops into Two Classes, Navy Secretary Says

[douglas9]

If Congress abolishes the military’s vaccine mandate, the Navy would be forced to separate sailors into two groups, the service’s top civilian said Tuesday.

“Unquestionably, it will create almost two classes of citizens in our services: those that can’t deploy and those that can deploy. And that creates all sorts of problems,” Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said at the America’s Future Fleet Symposium in Arlington, Virginia. “Let's make sure we understand the secondary consequences of our actions.”

Last week, several Senate Republicans announced they would oppose moving ahead with the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act unless they could vote on an amendment that would stop the military from booting troops who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine and restore booted troops to duty with back pay. They questioned the wisdom of the mandate during a recruiting crisis.

“At a time when the military is struggling to meet their targets for recruitment, the Biden administration is firing soldiers we invested in and trained,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said at the press conference on Capitol Hill.

https://www.govexec.com/defense/2022/12/ending-covid-vax-mandate-would-divide-troops-two-classes-navy-secretary-says/380560/

[Dorian Gray]

1. Troops need to follow orders

if they know they won't do it, then they shouldn't sign up.

[xmas74]

2. They're vaxxed to the hilt during basic

They know this is part of the job. I work in a hospital and I'm required to show my yearly vax records or I'll be released from my contract.
They agreed to it when they enlisted just as I agreed when I accepted my position.

[gratuitous]

3. This proposed meddling hurts national security, doesn't it?

Tell me again how Republicans support the troops by making sure they're unprepared to deploy on less than two weeks' notice?

Dear terrorists and countries hostile to the United States: Please be courteous and give us 14 days' notice of any attack you plan to carry out against the United States. Thank you. (Signed) Congressional Republicans

[Ray Bruns]

8. Yes. I served in the navy for 5 years and I don't remember

anyone “asking” me to do anything.

[Irish_Dem]

4. This is a national security issue.

Troops which cannot deploy put everyone at risk.

[Submariner]

5. What is it about Military Readiness

that these non-veteran free-riding slackers do not understand?

This is just another all too obvious let's 'own the Libs' again moment for these lazy whining snowflakes.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. Th most absurd thing I've read today. Why not let GIs refuse ALL...

vaccines and require the sick to fight?

George Washington knew the value of vaccination when even the science wasn't so sure.

[Raven123]

7. On the plus side, some of those leaving are more likely conspiracy theorists

[Mad_Machine76]

9. Of course

Republicans will try and force the dumbest decision possible

[LetMyPeopleVote]

10. The anti-Vaxxers are really crazy

[FlyingPiggy]

11. They, of all people, are vaxxed more than anyone. Always have been. For DECADES.

This is political bullshit.