United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a memo on Jan. 10 officially dropping the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for service members that was instituted on Aug. 24, 2021. 

According to the memo, Department of Defense members are no longer compelled to receive the controversial immunization. However, 96 percent of the Force, both active and reserve, have been fully immunized against Covid-19 according to Austin. 

The original mandate faced opposition, as some service members resisted receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, most notably on religious grounds. In response, DOD discharged those who wouldn’t get vaccinated. According to Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger, the nearly two-year mandate negatively impacted enlistment. 

“Service members administratively discharged on the sole basis that the Service member failed to obey a lawful order to receive a vaccine for COVID-19, the department is precluded by law from awarding any characterization less than a general (under honorable conditions) discharge,” Austin said in the same memo. “The Military Departments will update the records of such individuals to remove any adverse actions solely associated with denials of such requests.” 

Even though DOD is prohibited from taking action against individuals who chose not to get vaccinated, commanders are given control over where and how troops are positioned based on vaccination status. 

“These include the ability of commanders to consider, as appropriate, the individual immunization status of personnel in making deployment, assignment and other operational decisions,” Lloyd said.

Despite the end of the vaccination mandate, Lloyd has stated that it remains a priority for the Department of Defense to spread awareness and participation in the continued fight against COVID-19.

“The Department will continue to promote and encourage COVID-19 vaccination for all Service members,” Lloyd said.