Austin orders all National Guard, Reserve troops to get COVID-19 vaccine or face loss of pay

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered that all National Guard and Reserve service members be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face loss of pay, among other consequences, according to a memo released Tuesday. The memo — which comes amid a battle between the Pentagon and the Oklahoma National Guard over a Defense Department coronavirus vaccine mandate — also says those who do not comply will be marked absent without cause from drills and training. Such a punishment would impact the days service members accrue towards retirement.-- More...