US Marines quietly stop punishing troops that refuse Covid vaccine

Following last month’s decision by a federal court against the Department of Defense and the US Marine Corps, which allowed US Marines with religious objections to refuse covid vaccine mandates imposed by the Biden Administration, the US Marine Corps has abandoned punishments for most service members who are seeking the exemptions.

Last year, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued an order that mandated Covid vaccinations for all members of the US armed forces.

According to a September 14 notice, the "Marine Corps will not enforce any order to accept COVID-19 vaccination, administratively separate, or retaliate against Marines in the class for asserting statutory rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act."

Additionally, the notice also referenced a temporary order blocking the Marine Corps from taking action against individuals seeking a religious exemption saying, "Involuntary administrative separation processing of class members for refusing COVID-19 vaccination is suspended." The memo also instructed commanders to "pause all administrative actions related to the involuntary separation of a class member, regardless of the current status of the separation process."