This is very good. Emphasis on this encompassing the mandates on other EUA products such as masks and tests, as they are exactly the same legally speaking as an EUA shot. Also, good emphasis that any medical intervention against the SM's will is unacceptable. We all now know the FDA approval process is illegitimate, and making SM's get even Flu shots against their will going forward is unacceptable; especially as they are introducing mRNA versions of many vaccines. Good on recognizing that many chose their own paths but under threats of punishment in order to retain retirements or other means to care for their families and their livelihoods. It's obviously not as simple as 'you got kicked out for not getting the shot, so here let's fix you' It is more like, the CoC systematically across the board coerced, and destroyed the careers of SM's in various degrees and fashions, and some SM's faired better than others, and the fundamental problems and personnel that caused this need to be permanently rectified.
As someone said to me, thousands of voluntary decisions to violate oaths of office, either out of personal gain, or loyalty to something other than the constitution, led to involuntary circumstances for so many others who had to endure such behaviors, or stood up to defend their oaths to the constitution.
My husband was kicked out March 2023 for refusal of vaccines. We are having a hard time adjusting to civilian life even now. He's very unfulfilled and wants to go back in. However, he has quite a timeline from his final years in the Navy. He served 13 years. In January 2023, he learned he had made chief and they hid the results from him. If my husband went back, would he be a chief? Or back to a first class? My husband was up for sailor of the year at his command...but because he was forced to stay home during deployment, he wasn't selected. He was up for shore duty, would he be able to pick orders like recruiting so he could stay in our home state (Michigan) we moved back to? Ultimately, he wants a religious exemption for any and ALL vaccines. He has immunity to measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc. The only required shots would be flu...and he doesn't want that at all. There's still so many questions that need answers but this is a great write up you did. We've been following this closely since January 20th and my husband just wants his career back.
Based on my reading of the current guidance he would go back to E7. None of those impacted believe this is acceptable and they're all engaging on social media in the hopes of getting it addressed. FWIW my impression is that without accountability, your husband would be vulnerable to maltreatment as an E7 in the USN. CDR Rob Green is probably the best person to follow on this as he understands the particularities of the Navy and the mandate better than I do. You can find him on X @RobGreen1010
One piece though is that it may be tough for some of us to prove how this negatively affected our careers and trajectory of such. I would look into adding more stipulations or guidelines as to how to know if someone's career was affected or something along those lines. For example, not all of us were denied ranks or reenlistment, some were just denied assignments or PCS or deployments and as such, could say our career trajectory that was planned out had now fallen short. How can that be proved?
I think that is one of the reasons a commission is needed. A lot of this needs to be evaluated qualitatively by people with honor, integrity, and authority to rectify. Ultimately I see such rectification in the form of a comprehensive assessment of potential and ensuring career trajectory aligns with that potential despite the kinds of lost opportunities you mention. This fiasco isn't the only breach of trust committed in US military history, but I do think it is perhaps the clearest and most obvious. If this isn't addressed comprehensively the institution is unworthy of trust.
Fully agree about "mandatory" flu vaccines, they are not actually medically needed and pose significant health risks without providing actual benefit. I retired effective Jan 2008 and had my last "mandatory flu" shot in 2006. All the research I have seen since validates my decisions to forgo annual shots since. They are nothing but a "cash cow" for the pharmaceutical industry to in the ignorant public.
Yes, flu shots are notoriously ineffective. The bottom line is we need informed consent for medical interventions. Let operational public health make recommendations and individual soldiers own the risk. This applies to all other medical interventions.
My son is Military. He took the first of the series just to get back from deployment. His superior held the line as long as he could to give his men the choice. We talked about this and he said that (in his opinion) the best officers left because of the jab. He wasn't an officer, so it was easier just to go with the flow to get out of there.
I hope some of these good men and women return. I hope this trickles down to health care and policing/firefighting, etal...
Retired military here.
It was a "Sophie's Choice" in regard to taking the covid DeathVax.
Take it and be injured or killed.
Refuse and be kicked out of the military with a total loss of VA benefits, loss of military pension, possibility that family would become homeless.
Former SecDef Austin and Gen. Milley have blood on their hands.
Outstanding work. Brilliant. I pray fervently the Administration adopts it entirely.
This is very good. Emphasis on this encompassing the mandates on other EUA products such as masks and tests, as they are exactly the same legally speaking as an EUA shot. Also, good emphasis that any medical intervention against the SM's will is unacceptable. We all now know the FDA approval process is illegitimate, and making SM's get even Flu shots against their will going forward is unacceptable; especially as they are introducing mRNA versions of many vaccines. Good on recognizing that many chose their own paths but under threats of punishment in order to retain retirements or other means to care for their families and their livelihoods. It's obviously not as simple as 'you got kicked out for not getting the shot, so here let's fix you' It is more like, the CoC systematically across the board coerced, and destroyed the careers of SM's in various degrees and fashions, and some SM's faired better than others, and the fundamental problems and personnel that caused this need to be permanently rectified.
As someone said to me, thousands of voluntary decisions to violate oaths of office, either out of personal gain, or loyalty to something other than the constitution, led to involuntary circumstances for so many others who had to endure such behaviors, or stood up to defend their oaths to the constitution.
My husband was kicked out March 2023 for refusal of vaccines. We are having a hard time adjusting to civilian life even now. He's very unfulfilled and wants to go back in. However, he has quite a timeline from his final years in the Navy. He served 13 years. In January 2023, he learned he had made chief and they hid the results from him. If my husband went back, would he be a chief? Or back to a first class? My husband was up for sailor of the year at his command...but because he was forced to stay home during deployment, he wasn't selected. He was up for shore duty, would he be able to pick orders like recruiting so he could stay in our home state (Michigan) we moved back to? Ultimately, he wants a religious exemption for any and ALL vaccines. He has immunity to measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc. The only required shots would be flu...and he doesn't want that at all. There's still so many questions that need answers but this is a great write up you did. We've been following this closely since January 20th and my husband just wants his career back.
Based on my reading of the current guidance he would go back to E7. None of those impacted believe this is acceptable and they're all engaging on social media in the hopes of getting it addressed. FWIW my impression is that without accountability, your husband would be vulnerable to maltreatment as an E7 in the USN. CDR Rob Green is probably the best person to follow on this as he understands the particularities of the Navy and the mandate better than I do. You can find him on X @RobGreen1010
Well written, thank you for this.
One piece though is that it may be tough for some of us to prove how this negatively affected our careers and trajectory of such. I would look into adding more stipulations or guidelines as to how to know if someone's career was affected or something along those lines. For example, not all of us were denied ranks or reenlistment, some were just denied assignments or PCS or deployments and as such, could say our career trajectory that was planned out had now fallen short. How can that be proved?
I think that is one of the reasons a commission is needed. A lot of this needs to be evaluated qualitatively by people with honor, integrity, and authority to rectify. Ultimately I see such rectification in the form of a comprehensive assessment of potential and ensuring career trajectory aligns with that potential despite the kinds of lost opportunities you mention. This fiasco isn't the only breach of trust committed in US military history, but I do think it is perhaps the clearest and most obvious. If this isn't addressed comprehensively the institution is unworthy of trust.
I see your point. Very good Sir, I hope this comes to fruition soon then! God Speed and God Bless. We are all rooting for you
Fully agree about "mandatory" flu vaccines, they are not actually medically needed and pose significant health risks without providing actual benefit. I retired effective Jan 2008 and had my last "mandatory flu" shot in 2006. All the research I have seen since validates my decisions to forgo annual shots since. They are nothing but a "cash cow" for the pharmaceutical industry to in the ignorant public.
Yes, flu shots are notoriously ineffective. The bottom line is we need informed consent for medical interventions. Let operational public health make recommendations and individual soldiers own the risk. This applies to all other medical interventions.
My son is Military. He took the first of the series just to get back from deployment. His superior held the line as long as he could to give his men the choice. We talked about this and he said that (in his opinion) the best officers left because of the jab. He wasn't an officer, so it was easier just to go with the flow to get out of there.
I hope some of these good men and women return. I hope this trickles down to health care and policing/firefighting, etal...