Army to begin discharge of unvaccinated soldiers, which could include some at Fort Gordon

A new directive issued Wednesday by the Secretary of the Army announcing discharge of soldiers who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will begin immediately.

The latest directive could result in some soldiers at Fort Gordon being discharged.

In the directive, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth states commanders are to initiate "involuntary administrative separation proceedings" on soldiers who remain unvaccinated with no approved or pending exemption. The order applies to regular Army, reservists and cadets.

“Army readiness depends on Soldiers who are prepared to train, deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars,” Wormuth said in a statement. “Unvaccinated Soldiers present risk to the force and jeopardize readiness."

The directive comes months after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered every service member to get vaccinated. The Army has not yet involuntarily separated any soldiers for failing to get vaccinated, while the Navy announced it would begin discharging unvaccinated members in December; the Air Force began letting go of unvaccinated people that same month, USA TODAY reported.

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At Fort Gordon, Lt. Col. Robert Carter, Army Cyber Center of Excellence Chief of Public Affairs, said they are close to having 98% of active duty members vaccinated, less than a 2% increase from 96% in October. Carter said he doesn't expect the number to ever reach 100%.

"Our overall approach to the vaccinations and enforcing the standards on the vaccinations, that really has not changed," Carter said. "The danger is still there and it's all about the readiness of the force. Our approach to the vaccination process really hasn't changed."

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In the latest U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence Legal Roundup, released every quarter, between November and December, 15 enlisted soldiers and sergeants at Fort Gordon received reprimands from the commanding general for refusing to get vaccinated. The reprimands were filed in soldier's permanent files.

Carter said the reprimands have been isolated cases. Soldiers can still get the vaccination if they have been reprimanded for not getting it previously.

"That's not a systemic problem. Soldiers are aware of the standards and they are also aware of what happens if they choose to violate policy," Carter said.

According to the Army release, service members who are discharged due to their refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be eligible for involuntary separation pay and could be subject to recoupment of any unearned special or incentive pays.

As of Jan. 26, 96% of active Army and 79% of Army reserve have been fully vaccinated, while 97% of active Army and 83% of Army reserve is partially vaccinated. Only six permanent medical exemptions have been issued, with 656 having been disapproved and a total of 709 requested.

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No permanent religious exemptions have been issued, while 266 have been disapproved and 2,910 have been requested.

An exception is being granted for soldiers who will complete their separation or retirement or begin transition leave on or before July 1. Those soldiers will be granted a temporary exemption and will be permitted to complete their separations or retirements.

Soldiers who refuse to get vaccinated and are discharged will be issued either an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service unless additional misconduct warrants separation with other characterization, according to the directive.

As of Jan. 26, Army commanders have relieved a total of six regular Army leaders, including two battalion commanders and issued 3,073 general officer written reprimands to soldiers for refusing to get vaccinated.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Army soldiers will soon be discharged due to COVID-19 vaccine refusal