Marines and Soldiers Discharged for Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Show Limited Interest in Rejoining; PHOTOS: Remembering Moments of Grace and Mercy When the COVID Pandemic Shut the World Down, and other C-Virus related stories
Marines and soldiers discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine show limited interest in rejoining:
Roughly 650 Marines and Army soldiers who were forced out of the military for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine have so far expressed interest in returning to the force under an executive order from President Donald Trump, officials said this week.
The number represents about 8% of the roughly 8,200 troops who had been discharged. The total, officials say, confirms military leaders’ early view that many troops have moved on with their lives. They have been allowed to rejoin since 2023, and Trump’s offer of providing back pay may be a factor in spurring a bit more interest now.
The Army and Marine Corps have been sending out emails, texts and phone calls to service members discharged for refusing a pandemic-era order to get the vaccine. The Navy and the Air Force are planning to begin their efforts to contact service members, but are waiting for additional guidance. The totals would likely increase once their formal notices go out.
Officials stressed that the numbers are very preliminary because troops have only expressed interest in reenlisting and haven’t actually taken steps to formally do so. They will have to go through the enlistment procedure again, pass all required legal and moral standards and physical fitness requirements, and agree to reenlist for at least two years.
Trump has argued that the vaccine mandate wrongly pushed troops out and suggested that many would return. In an executive order signed a week after he took office, Trump said that the mandate cost the military “some of our best people” and he vowed to “rehire every patriot who was fired from the military with … backpay.”
Under Trump’s directive, those who were discharged for refusing the vaccine can rejoin and get back pay. Those who voluntarily left to avoid the vaccine also can rejoin, but they must swear that they left the service for that reason and they will not receive back pay.
Two years ago, the military services sent out notices to all troops discharged for refusing the vaccine, advising them they could return to the military. Just 113 reenlisted. —>READ MORE HERE
PHOTOS: Remembering moments of grace and mercy when the COVID pandemic shut the world down:
Five years ago, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the COVID-19 pandemic. Days later, on March 15, 2020, life as we knew it changed as lockdowns went into effect.
Remembering those early days and the many months that followed brings up painful memories, grief, and anxiety for many, but there were grace-filled moments that punctured the fear and uncertainty.
As the world marks five years since the pandemic began, CNA takes a look back in images at some of the moving moments that showed the grace and mercy of God in action. —>READ MORE AND PHOTOS HERE
Follow links below to relevant/related stories and resources:
Online grocery shopping boomed during COVID-19 pandemic, remains popular with customers
‘We’re all still recovering and growing’: Looking back at the COVID-19 pandemic 5 years later
USA TODAY: Coronavirus Updates
YAHOO NEWS: Coronavirus Live Updates
NEW YORK POST: Coronavirus The Latest
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