The US Defense Department is allegedly threatening to ‘decertify’ the Oklahoma National Guard after its commander, on approval of the state commander-in-chief, Governor Kenny Stitt, issued an order instructing his troops that they will not be required to comply with Biden’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate.
On November 12th, The Oklahoman posted some background on the situation. They wrote that the head of the Oklahoma National Guard, new Adjutant General Thomas Mancino, updated the guard’s Covid-19 vaccine policy, stating that no members would be required to get the jab. This information was shared in a memo which was obtained by The Oklahoman, noting that “no negative administrative or legal action will be taken” against troops who refuse the vaccine.
This memo came just after Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Mancino to replace former Adjutant General Michael Thompson, who had served in the role since 2017.
Lt. Col. Geoff Legler, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Guard, told the paper: “The clarified policy on COVID vaccinations for Oklahoma Army and Air National Guardsmen reflects the governor’s ability to assert his command authority over the men and women of the Oklahoma National Guard while they are within the state’s borders.”
Oklahoman Sen. Jim Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to Defense Secretary Llyod Austin: “At a time when our adversaries continue to increase their quantitative and qualitative advantage against our forces, we should seek to ensure that no policy, even unintentionally, hinders military readiness.”
He also added that the mandate should be immediately revoked so as not to cause “irrevocable damage to our national security.”
However, the Pentagon is not happy with the decision and is stating that the National Guard should follow Biden’s tyrannical orders.
“It is a lawful order for National Guardsmen to receive the Covid vaccine. It is a lawful order,” Defense Department press secretary John Kirby stated, according to Politico.
