Former President Joe Biden’s Pentagon has seen firings due to vaccine refusals, echoing a similar situation from four years ago when he enacted a mandate requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all Department of Defense officials, veterans, and former service members.
Back in August 2021, the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy led to the termination of around 8,500 active-duty members who chose not to comply. Even though former President Donald Trump later provided backpay for those affected, many members still find themselves navigating the complexities of their situation.
One group, Military Backpay, is working on behalf of those dismissed under the COVID-19 order, filing three class-action lawsuits seeking justice for veterans impacted by the policies of the Biden administration. Furthermore, the Army prohibited nearly 62,000 reservists and National Guard members across the country for refusing the vaccine.
Dale Saran, a leading attorney at Military Backpay, emphasized the importance of achieving justice for affected individuals. He expressed frustration over the situation, saying, “I don’t think people realize the damage done to the military on an institutional level. Fixing this is a vital first step.”
Chris Harkins, who was poised to retire from a 19-year career with the Coast Guard, also faced termination after seeking a religious exemption from the vaccine. His dismissal on December 1, 2022, came just six months before he planned to retire, significantly impacting his family.
Harkins’s experience illustrates the larger issue faced by veterans who were dismissed based on vaccine orders. Similarly, Nick Bassen, who suffered a major injury during deployment in Afghanistan, was also removed from the Army shortly before his retirement, losing vital health insurance in the process. He described his situation, saying he went from being employed to facing homelessness while his wife was pregnant.
These individuals, among over 700 plaintiffs, are part of lawsuits aimed at reclaiming lost wages, benefits, and compensation due to their terminations. They are working to broaden the scope of these cases, include others denied religious exemptions, or who voluntarily left due to the vaccine mandate.
The government has sought a suspension of these lawsuits, but the Federal Claims Court is still taking steps to address these cases, which include demands for compensation following the Biden-era mandate.
Saran remarked on the military’s vaccine rollout and its implications, drawing parallels to past controversies surrounding mandatory vaccinations. He noted that the military’s approach to vaccination felt like a loyalty test, complicating the moral landscape for service members now dealing with the fallout from the mandate.
After signing the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, the fallout continues, as soldiers who refused the vaccine still encounter retaliation within their ranks. On one hand, following orders is critical in the military; on the other, there’s a historic precedent for soldiers to disobey illegal commands, creating a complicated tension within the armed forces.
The Department of Justice has chosen not to provide any comments on the ongoing situation.
