Sailors who do not comply with DOD’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate could receive an honorable or general discharge, according to new guidance the Navy released Thursday. The chief of Naval personnel and the chief of Navy reserve will oversee the new COVID Consolidated Disposition Authority to review the cases of those who don’t comply and have not applied for a religious or medical exemption.

The memo ordered senior leaders to begin vaccination immediately if they have not already done so.

“An unvaccinated senior leader without a pending or approved exemption calls into question the Navy’s trust and confidence regarding their ability to ensure unit readiness or to maintain good order and discipline,” it said.

Active duty and reserve sailors must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 28, which means they need to have their final shot by Nov. 14 to give it two weeks to take full effect. About 7,000 sailors have not yet been vaccinated, the Navy said.

Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Tillie