Here on DK I often seen comments from people who feel that nothing is being done as fast as they feel that it should be. Governmental entities tend to be ponderous beasts and change comes slowly to them and the military perhaps most of all. But change does come and when it does it is inexorable.
This comes from the Navy Times, feel free to read the original article, and these points that stuck out to me:
- “Commands shall not allow those refusing the vaccine to promote/advance, reenlist, or execute orders, with the exception of separation orders, until the CCDA has completed disposition of their case,” the NAVADMIN said. “Transfer orders may be cancelled by Navy Personnel Command.” – CCDA is COVID Consolidated Disposition Authority, the Navy certainly does love its acronyms. Basically, you refuse to be vaccinated you are done. Full stop.
- Refusal will result in a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions, if vaccine refusal is the only reason for separation. This does disqualify a person from some VA benefits. This process is an administrative one so that means a Dishonorable or Bad Conduct discharge is not on the table. Those require a full Court Martial
- The Navy is reporting that 94% of active duty sailors and 89% of the total force are fully vaccinated. The thought of a ship full of folks with the unpleasant, and frankly disgusting, GI issues that I had during my bout of COVID in 2020 is a glimpse into the 9thCircle of Hell; COVID on a submarine would be something from a Hieronymus Bosch-level nightmare. The lies being spewed by the troglodytes will continue about mass resignations, but they just aren’t true. What a surprise.
The Navy is doing this all by the numbers, which is The Navy Way. I am sure the other branches have similar things in place and I am glad that progress, even if slow, is being made.