CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – In response to the new requirement that all U.S. soldiers get the COVID-19 vaccine, the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday night approved a measure that would prohibit any discharge but honorable for servicemembers who refuse.
The amendment to the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act was proposed by Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, an Army veteran and physician who serves on the committee.
“As a physician, I’ve weighed the pros and cons of the COVID-19 vaccine and have chosen to get the shot. As a former Army officer, I also understand the need to vaccinate servicemembers on deployment against a highly infectious virus,” Green said in prepared comments.
“For years, the military has possessed the authority to compel servicemembers to be vaccinated. However, those vaccines underwent years of research with ample longitudinal safety data. In the case of the coronavirus vaccine, that longitudinal data is not yet possible. Therefore, I believe servicemembers who make the personal medical decision to refuse the vaccine, and are subsequently separated from the service for their refusal, should not receive anything other than an honorable discharge for refusing to take the vaccine.”
Green thanked committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Washington, and Ranking Member Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, for working with him to get “broad bipartisan support” for the measure.
“No American who raises their hand to serve our nation should be punished for making a highly personal medical decision,” Green said.
The NDAA must still be approved by Congress.
In an Aug. 25 memo, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the U.S. military will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which received full FDA approval on Aug. 23.
The memo directs the Secretaries of the Military Departments to immediately begin full vaccination of all members of the Armed Forces. This mandate includes all personnel on active duty or in the Ready Reserve, including the National Guard.