US Secretary of Defense: "Unvaccinated National Guard Members Cannot Participate in Training"

Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. Secretary of Defense has prohibited National Guard members who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 from participating in federal training, thereby preventing them from receiving pay.

According to the Associated Press on the 30th (local time), U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated, "Vaccination is essential for the health and readiness of the military."

Unless there are special exemptions such as medical reasons, all National Guard members must be vaccinated accordingly.

The National Guard primarily serves as a reserve force deployed during natural disasters such as floods. In peacetime, members engage in their civilian occupations but must participate in federal training two days each month and two weeks annually to maintain their qualifications.

Secretary Austin warned, "If you do not participate in training, you will not receive pay from the federal government, and retirement benefits will be significantly reduced."

According to the National Guard Bureau under the Department of Defense, the vaccination completion rate among National Guard members is 62.9%, which is higher than the overall U.S. population vaccination completion rate of 59.5%.

Earlier this month, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt requested the Department of Defense to exempt the Oklahoma National Guard from mandatory vaccination during peacetime under the governor's command. However, Secretary Austin rejected Governor Stitt's request, stating, "Do not overlook the necessity of vaccination."