Moarcowbell

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Favorite team:	Mississippi St.
Location:	Honolulu
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Number of Posts:	80
Registered on:	12/30/2010
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re: About to be discharged from the Air Force

Posted by Moarcowbell on 9/16/21 at 2:48 am

I don't understand the disbelief that this is happening and those saying he is full of shite. I am 21 years AD and can tell you it is 100% happening.

Air Force members that were not vaccinated as of last week were given a written order to go to medical and receive their vaccine last week. All of them had to go and least talk to medical on that date regardless of their intention to get the shot or not. All of those seeking a medical exemption were denied in my unit. We have a few that are seeking a religious exemption although based on the results of those requesting medical exemption, I don't give them much hope of being approved. All vaccines have to be complete by the first week of November for us.

Each member that requested a religious exemption have met with the commander where he counseled them on possible consequences of getting a denial for the extension and refusing the shot which ranges from some administrative actions (LOC, LOR, etc), NJP up to separation for failing to obey an order. Even for those that receive an approval for a religious exemption, there could be consequences as in assignment limitations, non-world wide qualified which could lead to a commander non-recommending a member the opportunity to reenlist.

For those that say they don't believe members will be separated, I agree, that has not happened...yet.

A few weeks ago, the new SECAF visited our base on his first trip since taking the position. A few points that stood out to me during his all call.

The first thing he mentioned was the encouragement to get vaccinated (it wasn't mandatory at this point). He relayed it would be mandatory soon. The next thing he said was that if members refused to get it and thought they would just separate with an honorable service characterization, that they were wrong, and it would not be honorable. The thing that really stood out to me about it is that he said it with a smirk on his face and this is what he led his all call with. We have several NCOs that have been on multiple deployments with about 10-15 years in that are attempting to get a religious exemption, but if that doesn't work will be separated with a general characterization (not sure if it will be "under other than honorable" or "under honorable").

One question he answered during the all call was recommended books. He mentioned three that focused on China as a growing threat which I though were good recommendations but then he followed that up with this statement "I know I shouldn't say this because it's contoversial", but Ibram Kendi's book "How to be Antiracist" is another I would recommend and how much he learned when he read it.

He also talked about an interview he had for his confirmation process and how he sat with one senator he didn't agree with anything on. That senator was Ted Cruz. He talked about how he was surprised once it was over and how well the conversation went. I know the point he was trying to make about how we need to put differences aside and work together, but thought it was very inappropriate for him to mention the senator by name and how much he disagreed with him on issues. He is the SECAF, we are supposed to be apolitical. I know how he is appointed and I know his politics but thought it was very inappropriate to mention the senator specifically by name and say you don't agree with him on anything being in the position he is in.

Anyway, that's it, and that's the state of the Air Force right now. SicSemperTyrannis, do what's right for you and I wish you the best of luck. You got to be able to live with yourself.

Edited to add: There is legislation that has been proposed to add to the NDA 22 to ban dishonorable discharges for refusal to get vaccines.

Moarcowbell

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