Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin doubled down Tuesday in forcing Guard members and reservists to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Those who don’t comply will be ineligible to participate in training, drills and other activities, Austin said in a Tuesday memo to service secretaries and DOD leadership, according to the Military Times, which published a copy of the memo.
“No Department of Defense funding may be allocated for payment” to Guard members who refuse to get the vaccine or who do not obtain a religious or medical exemption, he said.
Austin earlier this week rejected a request from Oklahoma to exempt its Guard members and reservists because it violates their privacy, as On Base reported.
Also Tuesday, a federal judge put a hold on the vaccine mandate for federal contractors unless the requirement is written into government contracts. The decision applies only in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee, Federal News Network noted.
DOD photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Brittany A. Chase