Top Navy, Marines Enlisted Leaders Say Vaccines Should Be Mandatory

August 5, 2021

The top enlisted leaders in the Navy and Marine Corps said this week that service members should be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine as virus spread rises again, Marine Corps Times reported.

“You can go out into town, you can get contact with it, you can bring it back,” Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith said. “You have to [vaccinate] everyone.”

Smith was on a panel at the Sea-Air-Space conference alongside Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Troy Black. When Black was asked whether mandatory vaccines were necessary, he simply said “yes,” according to the report.

President Joe Biden has directed the Pentagon to demand regular testing for those who won’t “attest to” their vaccination status. He also said the Pentagon should explore “how and when” to add the COVID-19 shots to the list of mandatory vaccinations.

The shots have been voluntary so far, in part because the Food and Drug Administration has only authorized them for emergency use as it continues testing them for full authorization.

Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Lyden

August 5, 2021

Recent News

Three Leaders Named Defense Community National Champions

Three Leaders Named Defense Community National Champions

The Association of Defense Communities named three local leaders as national Defense Community Champions: Jana Evans, San Antonio Area Manager, Soldiers’ Angels, Alamo–San Antonio Region Elizabeth Hartman, Commander, American Legion Post 539, Eastern North Carolina...

Corvias Joins Certification Program for Healthy Homes

Corvias Joins Certification Program for Healthy Homes

Corvias is now the largest participant in a new certification program from the International WELL Building Institute that helps identify and measure ways that homes can support residents’ health and resilience, through factors such as air, water, light, thermal...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

More than 70 community agencies and organizations in the North Country region participated in Mountain Meetup Thursday to meet with Fort Drum, New York soldiers and their families to talk about their services, according to an Army story. The resource fair was free....

Summit Preview: Closing the Gap in Affordable Child Care

Summit Preview: Closing the Gap in Affordable Child Care

DOD, Congress and communities are working to address the challenges that remain in helping military families find quality, affordable child care. It is one of the most pressing quality of life concerns service members report. The topic will be covered at sessions...

PAST STORIES