As the number of individuals deemed unfit for military service due to obesity or health issues continues to rise, we must also recognize the many capable candidates who are deterred from serving because they refuse to receive vaccinations. Enlistment in the military should not come at the cost of one’s bodily autonomy. Vaccination should remain a personal choice, grounded in genuine informed consent. We must honor the rights of individuals to make decisions about their own health while maintaining the integrity of our armed forces.
My son is 19 years old, extremely healthy and strong, graduated high school with honors but doesn’t want to go to college.
Instead, he wants to join the US Coast Guard but a recruiting officer told us that a full barrage of vaccines are mandatory to enlist and that recruits are given more vaccines if they get deployed.
Apparently USCG recruits can apply for a religious exemption to vaccines, which requires a meeting with the Coast Guard chaplain who then decides whether your “religious beliefs” are adequate to qualify for an exemption. But that exemption, if given, can be withdrawn in the event of a deployment.
And what if you reasons aren’t religious? What if your reasons are based on the danger of potential side effects, so it is a personal health decision rather than a religious belief?
What we need is no vaccine mandates of any kind for the military. Offer vaccines but allow the recruits to Just Say No.
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Exactly. We should just be able to say no without any reason given honestly. We know the side effects and choose to say no. This is based on fact and logic, which is a much better excuse than religion in my opinion. We have informed consent and with that right we should have the full rights over our own bodies, even if we choose to sign up for the military. We are gently dissuading our sons from joining. How sad is that?
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I’m in the same boat as your son. I’m his age and would love to serve in the military. I’ve decided not to enlist unless I can get exempt from all of the jabs. I have thought about taking the risk because I didn’t want to deal with all of that but I have high sensitivities to stuff I take. It’s not a good idea for me to comply with their vax mandates. I would say I fully support this policy request.
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It’s so sad that this is where we are because of ridiculous requirements. Our military and country will suffer because qualified people will choose not to serve. Hopefully these rules change soon or I fear for our country. Good luck!
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