Sen. Marshall Questions Pentagon About COVID Vaccine Military Discharges

(Washington, D.C., April 28, 2022) – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. who has long opposed federal Covid-19 vaccine mandates, sent a letter with Senator Mike Lee (UT) and other senators asking Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to provide information on the number and nature of military discharges for not receiving a COVID vaccine.  Reports show that more than 1,700 servicemembers have been discharged for their COVID vaccination status and many are being denied retirement or other service benefits as a result. The letter reads in part,

“While we are deeply troubled that the Department of Defense (DOD) is discharging U.S. military personnel as a result of their COVID-19 vaccination status, we are outraged that these brave men and women are potentially being stripped of various benefits, including education benefits afforded to them under the G.I. Bill. Whatever disagreements public officials of varying ideologies and political parties may have, we can and should agree on the importance of ensuring the promises made to members of our Armed Forces are fulfilled.”

Senators Marshall and Lee are joined in the letter by Senators Marsha Blackburn (TN), Mike Braun (IN), Mike Crapo (ID), Ted Cruz (TX), John Hoeven (ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), James Lankford (OK), Rand Paul (KY), James Risch (ID), Marco Rubio (FL), Tommy Tuberville (AL), Roger Wicker (MS).

For full text of the letter, click HERE.

Background:

In December, Senator Marshall’s legislation to prevent servicemembers from receiving a dishonorable discharge for choosing to not get the COVID vaccine was signed into law by President Joe Biden as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The COVID-19 Vaccine Dishonorable Discharge Prevention Act was introduced by Senator Marshall on the heels of President Biden mandating millions of Americans to get vaccinated and the DOD issuing guidance stating that soldiers who refuse the vaccine will face “administrative or non-judicial punishment [under UCMJ] – to include relief of duties or discharge.” Senator Marshall penned an op-ed for FOX News on his legislation. You may click HERE to read it.

Dishonorably discharged U.S. service members surrender the following rights and benefits:

• Ownership of any sort of firearm or ammunition
• Access to the GI Bill for further education
• VA home loans
• VA medical benefits
• Military Funeral Honors
• Re-enlistment in another military branch

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