US troops face discipline for refusing vaccine

Pentagon chief spokesman John Kirby said on Friday, now, all of the U.S. military services have begun disciplinary actions and discharges for troops who have refused to get the mandated coronavirus vaccine, with as many as 20,000 unvaccinated forces at risk of being removed from service.

Getting thrown out of the military for refusing a vaccine has been done very rarely. But service members are routinely discharged for disobeying orders - often getting an honorable discharge or general discharge with honorable conditions.

On Thursday, the Marine Corps said it has discharged 103 Marines so far for refusing the vaccine, and the Army said it has reprimanded more than 2,700 soldiers and will begin discharge proceedings in January. The Air Force said earlier this week, 27 airmen had been discharged for refusing the vaccine order.

And the Navy laid out its new discipline procedure this week, and has already fired one sailor from his command job for refusing to be tested while he pursues an exemption.