Key Takeaways:
– Former US President Donald Trump announced an executive order for reinstating military service members dismissed due to Lloyd Austin’s rescinded COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
– The order also ensures a return of their prior rank, back pay, and benefits.
– However, some service members raise concerns about the absence of an accountability clause in the executive order.
– Related controversies surround the military’s alleged lack of informed consent and availability of effective alternate treatment methods during the mandate period.
– Responses from the military community range from cautious optimism to skepticism and public calls for more comprehensive measures.
A Fresh Start for Dismissed Military Personnel
Donald Trump, the former US President recently passed an executive order targeting the reinstatement of military personnel discharged due to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s now-overturned August 2021 vaccine mandate. The order promises restoration of prior ranks, along with back pay and benefits to the affected service members.
The mandate had seen the dismissal of over 8,000 troops, with only 43 electing to return to service after its repeal in 2023 via the Biden administration. Trump’s recent move is seen as a significant commitment to correcting alleged wrongful dismissals in the military.
Informed Consent and Choices
According to legislation 10 USC §1107a and 21 USC § 360bbb, there were difficulties with the mandate’s enforcement as service members weren’t adequately informed about the vaccine before they received it. There were also approved alternate treatments available before the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The mandate’s enforcement saw those unwilling to get the vaccine being removed from service or coerced into getting the vaccination. Notably, over 72 percent of respondents of a 2022 military survey revealed they felt pressurized into getting a COVID-19 vaccination after the Pentagon’s 2021 vaccine mandate.
Hopeful Steps, but Room for Improvement
While the executive order is welcomed by many, the need for greater accountability concerning these dismissals is a common sentiment. For example, former Army Captain and Special Forces Green Beret, John Frankman, expressed gratitude for Trump’s move but suggested a broader scope, encompassing career losses and violating religious rights.
Sharing this sentiment is active duty Navy Commander and author Robert A. Green. He thanked Trump for the reinstatement initiative but stressed that there’s more work to accomplish in the face of the mandate’s consequent controversial issues.
Concerns from Retired Personnel
However, retired service members are not completely content with the newly introduced order. For instance, retired Navy Medical Service Corps Lieutenant, Ted Macie, voiced concerns about the lack of accountability reflected in the order. He believes the order is just a Band-Aid solution that doesn’t quite restore trust or solve the underlying problems.
Similarly, retired Air Force Col. John McAfee, asserted that most military personnel need accountability for the alleged wrongs during the mandate’s enforcement. His executive order proposal attracted public participation via a poll to influence the final outcome.
Eyes on the Outcome
Keeping in account the concerns of the military community, Trump’s executive order hangs in balance. It will be interesting to see how Secretaries Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem, tasked to execute the order, manage to steer the conversation and future proceedings. The final impact of the order, as a step towards reinforcement or a missed mark, remains to unfold in the coming days.