AF puts clock on unvaccinated

Airmen and Guardians denied medical, religious, or administrative exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement will have five days to start the vaccination process, file an appeal, or request to separate/retire, according to a new Dec. 7 Air Force memo signed by SECAF Frank Kendall. Should those appeals or requests be denied, a 5-day clock will start ticking. Those who still refuse will face the “initiation of administrative discharge,” according to the memo. Administrative discharge process takes time, an AF spokesperson told Air Force Magazine. The deadline for Active-duty Airmen/Guardians had been Nov. 2; and for Reservists/guardsmen Dec. 2. AF data shows 3,234 force-wide Airmen/Guardians have verbally refused the vaccine. That number is expected to grow. 10,560 Airmen/Guardians are currently seeking religious exemption, but not one request has been granted by the AF to date. The policy calls for a decision within 30 business days from Airmen/Guardians within CONUS, but that timeline will likely be delayed due to backlogs. Those who refuse the vaccine and face separation won’t be “eligible for involuntary separation pay and will be subject to recoupment of any unearned special or incentive pays,” the memo adds. 97.3 percent of Active-duty AF and Space Force are at least partially vaccinated (92% Air National Guard; and 91.8 percent of the AF Reserve). The AF’s 5-day window is in line with the Navy. Unvaccinated Marines separated won’t be eligible for involuntary separation pay and may have to repay unearned special/incentive pay. (Source: AF Magazine 12/09/21) Air Force Releases Policy for Dealing with Unvaccinated Airmen, Guardians - Air Force Magazine