Top Marine General blasted the Biden administration’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate amid military recruitment crisis.
Recently, US Marine Corps Top General lamented and blasted the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, arguing that it is putting a dent in recruitment efforts.
In a statement released by Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger during a panel at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, he argued that “where it is having an impact for sure is on recruiting, where in parts of the country there are still myths and misbeliefs about the backstory behind it.”
According to Berger, although the vaccine is essential to help the US troops keep healthy, politicizing the issue would lead to many being skeptical of its efficacy.
“There was not accurate information out early on and it was very politicized and people make decisions and they still have those same beliefs. That’s hard to work your way past really hard to work,” Berger explained.
He also claimed that he believed that the vaccine has been a useful tool to stop the spread of virus, however, it has always been an issue for many who may be interested in enlisting in the armed forces.
“Small areas, big factor. You talk to me in the cafeteria, and one of my first questions is, ‘Do I have to get that vaccine?’ And you go, ‘Yeah, you do.’ Ok, I’ll talk to you later. It’s that fast,” he said in a statement.
The top general’s remarks came amid the recruiting crisis all branches of the military have been facing. Reports revealed that the crisis has led the Army to suffer the most difficult time filling its ranks, falling 25% short of its recruiting goals in 2021.
Amid the controversy, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy released a statement, claiming that the new Republican majority would not allow a new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to go through the same unless the mandate was lifted.
“We’re working through what is the [NDAA], the national defense bill, we will secure lifting that vaccine mandate on our military. Because what we’re finding is, they’re kicking out men and women that have been serving. … That’s the first victory of having a Republican majority, and we’d like to have more of those victories, and we should start moving those now,” McCarthy declared during an interview with Fox News Channel’s Maria Bartiromo.
