Pentagon denies Oklahoma governor’s request and insists National Guard members be vaccinated
Austin emphasized that the vaccine mandate is a legitimate order to promote “the health, safety, and readiness of our service members, regardless of duty status,” in a letter obtained by CNN. copy.
The letter added that unvaccinated National Guard members could be barred from “participating in exercises and training conducted,” and their status in the military could be threatened.
But Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt doesn’t appear to be willing to back down. In response to Austin’s letter, a Stitt spokesman said the governor “appreciated” the letter but “maintains his position that the governor is commander-in-chief to all members of the Force.” The Oklahoma National Guard while they carry out” state orders.
In early November, Stitt sent a letter to Austin asking him to halt vaccine requests for the Oklahoma National Guard. He said the mission “infringes upon the individual liberties” of the guard members and is likely to require them to “sacrifice their personal beliefs.”
Austin refutes these arguments. The concerns raised in your letter do not negate the need for this important military readiness requirement.
Controversy over vaccine claims has led to controversy over the limits of federal government authority and the military’s chain of command.
Stitt ordered Brig. General Thomas Mancino, the newly appointed head of the Oklahoma National Guard, was not on vaccination duty. Mancino, who admits it has put him in an awkward situation, says that by order of the state, his commander is the governor. But he also said that if the conservator were called up under a federal order, known as Title 10, he would enforce the vaccine requirement.
A defense official who briefed reporters on the matter said that members of the National Guard unit, even under the state’s order, known as Title 32, must still meet the following requirements: federal mandate requirements, including medical requirements such as immunization duties.
Guard members who refuse to be vaccinated risk losing their National Guard status and federal pay as part of training, exercises and more.
Both Title 32 and Title 10 are paid for by the federal government, not the state.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said no other governor had made a similar request during a Pentagon briefing on Monday.
Kirby reiterated the views Austin made in the letter, saying that not being vaccinated could put National Guard members at risk of disqualification.
“So one person can choose not to have the vaccine, but then you’re in danger of staying in the National Guard, which as you know is also part of the reserve component of the total,” says Kirby. force,” Kirby said. “But on the specifics of how that would play out, in this case, I’d specifically refer you to the Oklahoma National Guard to talk.”
EDIT: An earlier version of this article mistitled Lloyd Austin. He is the minister of defense.
This story has been updated with background and other details.
