So far, clusters have been discovered at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, the Army and Marine Corps biggest initial entry training installations. Last week, President Biden raised eyebrows when he announced that federal civilian workers would be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or face measures such as frequent testing, yet didn't extend that mandate to members of the military.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. A Pentagon spokeswoman confirmed the document is authentic,. Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 will have to wait until 28 days after diagnosis to report to MEPS. December 17, 2021 / 10:13 AM / AP. Thats what our health care professionals are looking at right now.. The Department of Defense medical waivers are usually . Editors note: In mid-May 2020, the Defense Department updated its accessions guidance, removing policy barriers to COVID-19 survivors joining the services. DoD may have calculated most military recruits are aged 18-25, at lesser risk for severe cases of COVID-19, and those with mild cases could be immune, increasing the immunity level of the overall force. A military recruitment memo sent out by the US Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM) stated that individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to join the military even after they recover. A past case of coronavirus would be "permanently disqualifying," according to a U.S . The Department of Defense medical waivers are usually required for. The Army National Guard and Reserve deadline to receive the vaccine was June 30, the latest of all the services, which required vaccination last year. Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary blasts Ocasio-Cortez: She kills jobs by the Haley to hit Trump on spending record in closed-door Saturday speech, Trump asks for roughly six-month delay in New York fraud case. Listen to the full conversation f View All Reports Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. A defense official told Insider Thursday that the memo, while real, was "interim guidance" that was updated Wednesday. It adds that during the medical history interview or examination part of their application, "a history of COVID-19 confirmed by either a laboratory test or clinician diagnosis, is permanently disqualifying.". which first reported on the new policy, that the memo is authentic. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. But the guidance has since been updated to allow recruitment of people who weren't hospitalized. The military will stop recruiting applicants who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a proposal in a memo from the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM). '", During the screening process, a reported history of confirmed COVID-19 will be annotated Considered disqualifying pic.twitter.com/ZKx91AUbXo. By DoD seems to be mitigating potential downstream negative health effects or attrition among those previously hospitalized due to COVID-19, calculating a blanket ban is the best course of action (although it is not currently a cause for separation from service). As the Defense Department negotiates its way through the coronavirus pandemic and its fallout, military entrance processing stations are working with new guidance when it comes to bringing. A person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be able to join the military, according to a memo recently issued from U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command. The ban may also result from limited research on COVID-19, as there's still much that's unknown about the virus, the permanence and assessment of its damage on the lungs and body, whether the virus can reemerge in those who've seemingly recovered from it, and whether prior infection makes a person more immune or susceptible to catching it again. But the interim guidance has now been pulled and the department has returned to its previous process and guidelines for ushering recruits into the military,Matthew Donovan, the under secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, told reporters at the Pentagon. Rescuers dig through quake rubble to find survivors. The Navy has also issued new COVID-19 pre-deploymentguidancefor crews getting underway, which should reduce the chances for future infections. | Military leaders recently announced that all 1.3 million active duty service . NPR's Don Gonyea speaks with analyst Jason Dempsey about why, after years of U.S. military training and billions of dollars, the Afghan military has proven unable to stand up By Editor's Note: This is an opinion column. A recent memo from Military Entrance and Processing Command (MEPCOM) added to previously issued start-stop guidance from the Department of Defense relating to COVID-19. Fortunately for her and many others, long COVID survivors have been able to find each other on social media and share their symptoms and recovery times, giving one another hope and companionship during an otherwise extremely dark time. Pero's story is one of many COVID-19 survivors who, upon recovering from the infection, are only beginning their journey of recovery. The United States military has banned coronavirus survivors from joining the armed forces over fears that the virus may permanently damage the lungs of young recruits. David Lat, 45, New York. However, their application will be marked as "permanently disqualifying," and while applicants can request a waiver the memo offers no further guidance for possible COVID-19 exceptions, meaning that "a review authority would have no justification to grant a waiver," says the Military Times. The Army's deadline is Dec. 15. Nathalie Grogan and Emma Moore. "I thought I was losing my vision . U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command issued a memo this week detailing new procedures for applicants during the coronavirus pandemic. Any potential service. Concerns over lags in testing, prevalence of high risk populations, and non-compliance with social distancing orders may create the conditions for a second surge in those states. With U.S. forces stationed or deployed around the world, good military and diplomatic relations with foreign governments is critical. "On the third day of being on oxygen, I sent a message to my fianc. Reserve soldiers fall exclusively under the federal government, possibly making it easier to separate them from service. The Pentagon is considering banning new recruits from joining the military if they have been hospitalized for the coronavirus unless they get a waiver from the service they want to sign . Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Energy Department report on COVID's origins rekindles ongoing debate. As of Friday, 5,171 active-duty military personnel have tested positive for COVID-19. The need for a strong and healthy force is grounded in operational readiness and cannot be dismissed. The Navy hasn't granted any. On paper, the only thing an unvaccinated Guard soldier is qualified for now is state active-duty orders, a comparatively rare tool for a governor to activate their Guard for short-term emergencies such as hurricane relief and responding to domestic disturbances. One crewmember passed away from the virus. Although economic realities may allow the services to temporarily offset tightening medical standards, implementation of this guidance poses questions for whether DoD will be prioritized with virus or antibody testing; if potential recruits will not seek medical care in order to avoid hospitalization; and if it is a sustainable long-term strategy. However, changing standards to limit the pool of eligible recruits in ways that piggyback of structural inequities ultimately damages the force. Available Downloads. But SAD duties do not qualify Guardsmen for federal benefits or retirement -- effectively shutting them out of all of the military's service incentives other than a paycheck. The dangers increase with the . A person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be able to join the military, according to a memo recently issued from U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command. As the Defense Department negotiates its way through the coronavirus pandemic and its fallout, military entrance processing stations are working with new guidance when it comes to bringing. Greg Abbott, who has used SAD orders lasting up to a year to mobilize thousands of troops for missions on the U.S.-Mexico border. The new policy does not apply to individuals who are already members of the military and have contracted the coronavirus, such as the hundreds of sailors aboard the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt who fell ill, sidelining the carrier in Guam. But that's about to change. To learn more about the COVID-19 Benefits for Active Duty Servicemembers, the Reserve Components, and their Survivors Act of 2020, click here. By Only six Guard soldiers across all states and territories have permanent medical exemptions for the vaccine, out of 53 who requested one, according to Army data. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Its fully capable to defend the country and protect our interests overseas despite the virus. Bored Panda has collected some of the most inspiring photos of these brave Covid-19 survivors. The memo prompted howls of disbelief on social media. A diagnosis of the COVID-19 coronavirus may keep prospective recruits out of the U.S. military, according to a memo from U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command making the rounds on Twitter.. U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command issued the missive to recruit processing stations saying a history of COVID-19, confirmed by a laboratory test or a clinician diagnosis, is permanently . However, there are outliers such as Texas Gov. Concerningly, banning individuals with a COVID-19 history prioritizes recruits who have both the geographic and financial ability to self-isolate and implement all precautions to avoid infection. ), LTG Anthony R. "Tony" Ierardi, USA (Ret. In memos distributed to all troops, top Pentagon leaders said the vaccine is a necessary step to maintain . DoD will have to meet readiness goals while hoping a vaccine will be widely available to society or at least to troops. Applicants who fail screening wont be tested but can return in 14 days if they are symptom-free, Military Times reported, citing the memo. Nearly two-thirds of new recruits come from households earning less than $66,000 annually, likely less able to effectively social distance. There was no good way for the United States to exit the failed war in Afghanistan. By The short answer is yes: The President of the United States can order members of the military to take the COVID-19 vaccine. More than5,000 service membershave tested positive for coronavirus with mass screenings occurring at recruiting depots and bootcamp. The COVID-19 vaccines have not been on the Department of Defense's mandatory list. Military Times says recruits can apply for waivers for all permanently disqualifying conditions, including surviving COVID-19. However, given the limited research on COVID-19, there are likely a few factors that military medical professionals are trying to hash out when it comes to recruiting survivors: Whether respiratory damage from the virus is long-lasting or permanent, and whether that can be assessed; the likelihood of recurring flare-ups, even if someone has had two consecutive negative tests; and the possibility that one bout of COVID-19 might not provide full immunity for the future, and could potentially leave someone at a higher risk to contract it again, perhaps with worse complications. It says any applicants at any of the 65 nationwide Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) should be evaluated for possible coronavirus infection, most likely through a temperature check and questions about their symptoms and possible contact with infected individuals. Theres a lot of unknowns about this virus right now. The Pentagon has banned survivors of COVID-19 from enlisting in the military, according to a government memo released this week. DoD may calculate that the sheer number of unemployment claims in March will offset limiting the pool of eligible recruits by leading to a significant spike in interest. The reasons for a permanent disqualification are vague. Individuals with severe enough cases to have suffered lung, heart, kidney, and brain damage would not be eligible for military service under the existing medical guidelines. While young people may generally be at lower risk, the sheer numbers of herd immunity still runs the risk of disqualifying large numbers of potential recruits. The memo is authentic, Pentagon spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell confirmed to Military Times. After returning, a COVID-19 diagnoses will be marked permanently disqualifying, according to the memo. Members of the U.S. Army walk outside the temporary hospital at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center during the coronavirus pandemic on April 20, 2020 in New York City. Even ambitious expectations of vaccine development, testing, and production project it will take 18 months or longer. For the militarys purposes, whether it causes irreparable lung damage could figure heavily in terms of combat readiness. If an individual can pass the Military Entrance Processing Station screening process despite a hospitalization for coronavirus they should be allowed to serve, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, wrote to Defense Secretary Mark Esper on May 12. Matthew Donovan, defense under secretary for personnel and readiness, said during the press conference that he had canceled that guidance in favor of reverting back to pre-coronavirus accessions standards. Indeed, during the 1918 Spanish flu, the combatants. 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While Guardsmen technically serve under their respective governors during their typical weekend duties, those weekends are federally funded. Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. Advertisement. The Effect of Coronavirus on the U.S. Military, Biden Proposal Puts Climate Agenda Above Americas Defense, Russias New START Breach Means U.S. Nuclear Weapons Modernization Is a Must. Banning COVID-19 survivors from military service is a recruiting mess waiting to happen | Center for a New American Security (en-US) Commentary Research Areas The Future of Warfare Strengthening Deterrence The Gaming Lab Defense Discussions The China Challenge Regional Alliances and Partnerships The India Opportunity The North Korea Threat U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command issued the missive to recruit processing stations saying a history of COVID-19, confirmed by a laboratory test or a clinician diagnosis, is permanently. As of July 1, 13% of the Army Guard and 12% of the Reserve is unvaccinated. Sign up for notifications from Insider! And while patients are often alarmed and frustrated that they can . If you get health care coverage through Medicaid, you might be at risk of losing that coverage over the next year . A recent memofrom Military Entrance and Processing Command (MEPCOM) added to previously issued start-stop guidance from the Department of Defense relating to COVID-19. Are there any long-term, lasting effects? May 7, 2020 / 3:48 PM Peter researches and develops Heritages policy on weapons of mass destruction and counter proliferation. There is also new guidance for examining an. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. COVID survivors' main symptoms can linger for weeks or even months, causing pain, trouble breathing, nightmares and even organ failure. Banning individuals with a COVID-19 history prioritizes recruits who have both the geographic and financial ability to self-isolate. Update: This post has been updated to reflect the US military updated its guidance to only disqualify people who had been hospitalized due to COVID-19. The Pentagon's ill-advised new "interim" recruiting policy could cause precisely the harm to service members that it seeks to avoid. that the Pentagon is considering the ban on recruiting COVID-19 survivors. As Americans, these tough times will likely improve the resilience of both our militaryand the nation. Do Democrats need a past superstar to hold the White House in 2024? Photos of people who died from Covid-19 are projected onto the Brooklyn Bridge in New York . Basic training for the services continues, albeit with reduced intake numbers and many additional restrictions such as physical distancing and testing for infection. Paul Scharre. The memo initially said that a confirmed history of COVID-19 from a lab test or clinical diagnosis would be "permanently disqualifying." At the same time, were having our health professionals and our doctors and researchers take a look at that and come up with any recommendations that theyll provide to me and the [defense] secretary, he said, adding that their final decision is forthcoming. Hiroko Hatakeyama, 83, was a few kilometres from the hypocentre and witnessed her young relatives die from the effects of the bomb. However, without any further guidance for exceptions dealing with COVID-19, a review authority would have no justification to grant a waiver. While it is important for the services mitigate the continued spread of the virus, this guidance is short-sighted. But like the rest of us, the military has, and will, endure this public health crisis. Published May 12, 2020 10:44 PM EDT. Coronavirus survivors could be barred from joining the military under new Department of Defense guidelines. A readout of coronavirus cases within the U.S. military, provided to American Military News by the Pentagon, currently lists more than 5,300 active military personnel as having been diagnosed with coronavirus, 115 of which have been hospitalized. It is unclear what would qualify a soldier for a waiver on religious grounds.