WASHINGTON (AP) – Four cadets at the Air Force Academy may not graduate or be drafted this month because they refused the COVID-19 vaccine and may be required to reimburse thousands of dollars in training costs, according to Air Force officials.
This is the only military academy so far where cadets can face such punishments. The military and navy said none of their adults were currently prevented from graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, or the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, for refusing a vaccine. The diplomas are in about two weeks.
Defense Minister Lloyd Austin last year made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for servicemen, including those in military academies, saying the vaccine was crucial to maintaining military readiness and health.
Military leaders say troops have had to receive up to 17 vaccines for decades to maintain the health of forces, especially those stationed abroad. Students arriving at military academies receive a vaccination schedule on their first day – such as measles, mumps and rubella – if they have not already been vaccinated. And they regularly receive regular flu shots in the fall.
Members of Congress, the military and the public questioned whether the reviews of the discharge were fair. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the mandate, mainly focusing on the fact that very few servicemen have received religious exemptions from the shootings.
Until the COVID-19 vaccine, very few soldiers sought religious exemptions from all vaccines.
Lt. Col. Brian Maguire, a spokesman for the Air Force Academy, said that while vaccination status could prevent the four seniors from graduating, “there are still two weeks before graduation, so their status may change as the cadets weigh in.” “.
According to Maguire, the four cadets – who were not named – were informed of the potential consequences and met with the head of the academy. In addition to these four, there are two juniors, one sophomore and six freshmen at the academy who also refused the vaccine.
Military academies have for years required students to pay tuition fees in certain circumstances if they leave during their junior or senior years. They often include students with disciplinary or similar problems. Costs can be as high as $ 200,000 or more, and any final payment decision is made by the service secretary.
West Point said there were no Class 2022 members who refused to receive the vaccine.
The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps have fired nearly 4,000 members of the active service for refusing the vaccine. According to the latest figures released by the services, more than 2,100 Marines, 900 sailors, 500 army soldiers and 360 pilots were expelled from the army, and at least 50 were fired during entry-level training before moving to active duty. service.
Those who flatly refuse the vaccine without seeking release are still being discharged. But the courts stopped additional dismissals of servicemen who demanded religious exceptions.
Last month, a federal judge in Texas banned the navy from taking action against sailors who have objected to religious vaccinations.
U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor issued a preliminary injunction in January that prevented the Navy from disciplining or dismissing 35 sailors who are suing for Navy vaccine policy while their case is pending. In April, O’Connor agreed that the case could continue as a class action and issued a preliminary injunction involving about 4,000 sailors who objected to religious reasons against vaccination.
Also last month, a federal judge in Ohio issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Air Force from disciplinary action against a dozen officers and some additional pilots and reservists seeking religious exceptions. Officers, mostly from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, were tried in February after their demands for release were rejected.
According to the military, about 20,000 servicemen have asked for religious exceptions. Thousands have been turned down.
According to the latest figures, the Air Force has approved 73 religious exemptions, the Marines have approved seven and the army has approved eight. Prior to the order, the Navy conditionally approved one reservist and 26 requests from the active service for religious exceptions and 10 requests from members of the individual ready reserve. IRR approvals mean that these seafarers should not be vaccinated until they have actually been called up to serve.
About 99% of the active navy and 98% of the air force, marines and the army received at least one shot.
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