GOP Lawmakers Ask Marine Corps to Address Recruitment Shortage Produced by Vaccine Mandate

Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), along with House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and Reps. Max Miller (R-Ohio) and Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), sent a letter to the Marine Corps Wednesday to address the service recruiting shortage produced in part by vaccine mandates.

“We write to express our concerns over the unprecedented recruiting challenges your service and the entire Department of Defense is experiencing,” The House Republicans wrote the letter Addressed at General David H. Berger Commandant Marine Corps “Adding to this problem, the U.S. Marine Corps dismissed many of its dedicated Marines because of their desire to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”

The Department of Defense released an announcement in August 2021 order Directing secretaries in military units to ensure that all active-duty members are fully vaccinated. The Marine Corps was expelled by December 2022. 3,717 Marines, the most of any military serviceThey refused to take the vaccine. The agency was eventually forced to change its recruiting goal for fiscal year 2022.

“I represent over 52,000 Marines and their families who sacrifice so much by their dedicated service to our beloved country,” Murphy said Press release “It is an utter shame that many of these selfless individuals have been stripped of their livelihoods simply because they made a conscious medical decision.”

The Department of Defense was established in January 2023 rescinded Memorandum mandating that Armed Forces personnel be immunized against COVID-19.

Members of the GOP request recruiters to reach out and expel Marines in order to investigate the possibility that they could be filled the vacant positions. Many Marines held such positions. Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) expertise It is urgently needed.

“Congress ended the Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine mandate when we passed the National Defense Authorization Act last year,” Bost said. “As the Marine Corps faces a recruitment crisis, it only makes sense to reinstate those who were discharged simply because of an outdated mandate. They’ve proven they are ready, willing, and able to serve our nation.”

Miller served six years as a Marine Corps Reserves officer. said There are Marines with the right training who can fill crucial jobs, but they were dismissed because of refusing to receive the vaccine.

“That is wrong,” Miller said. “The United States would be well-served by bringing these soldiers back into active duty.”

According to The, Murphy is representing over 52,000 Marines within North Carolina’s 3rd District. press release.

“Our military cannot function as the strongest force in the world with such baseless and unscientific policies,” Murphy. “That’s why I led this letter to the Marine Commandant to restore our service members’ livelihoods and ensure our military’s premier standing.”

An inquiry to the United States Marine Corps was unsuccessful.