Navy chaplain among sailors denied religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccine mandate: ‘Kick in the gut’

FIRST ON FOX: A chaplain within the U.S. Navy Reserve mentioned Wednesday that the navy is being utilized by the Biden administration as a “good little check group” that “can’t say no” after he mentioned he was denied a non secular exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine.

The chaplain, who spoke with Fox Information Digital on the situation of anonymity, mentioned he faces attainable dismissal from the Navy after practically 20 years of service because of his refusal to get a vaccine. 

He would miss out on essential retirement pay and advantages if he’s dismissed earlier than hitting the 20-year mark.

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“It’s a kick within the intestine for certain,” the chaplain mentioned. “If I lose retirement advantages that manner, that may be a fairly vital burden to me and my household. On the identical time, it is a battle value combating. I don’t suppose it is a lawful order.”

The chaplain, who can also be a pastor, mentioned his non secular exemption request was beneficial for approval by his commanding officer and his commanding officer’s boss, however it was finally rejected “on the prime.”

“I used to be really pleasantly shocked,” he mentioned. “I assumed my commander was going to be utterly against the request, however once I noticed on the paperwork that he really beneficial approval after which his boss additionally beneficial approval – I imply, to me, it’s not about me, it’s a giant Navy factor. I believe the commanders on the bottom, a lot of them see this for what it’s, however our fingers are tied, and we’ve a whole lot of sure males on the prime. It’s actually dangerous.”

Along with discussions with chaplains to find out whether or not they have a “sincerely held perception,” troops should meet with commanders and medical personnel, after which the ultimate determination is made larger up the chain of command. The Navy has not permitted any of the hundreds of requests for non secular exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine.

The rejection letter the chaplain obtained from Vice Admiral John B. Nowell Jr., offered to Fox Information Digital, mentioned, “Your request for non secular lodging by way of waiver of immunization necessities is disapproved.”

“A waiver of immunizations would have a predictable and detrimental impact in your readiness and the readiness of the Sailors who serve alongside you in each operational and non-operational (together with coaching) environments,” the letter said, partially. “I discover that disapproval of your request for a waiver of immunization necessities is the least restrictive means accessible to protect the Division of Protection’s compelling curiosity in navy readiness, mission accomplishment and the well being and security of navy service members.

“The Navy is a specialised neighborhood ruled by a self-discipline separate from that of the remainder of society,” the letter added. “Whereas each Sailor is welcome to precise a faith of selection or none in any respect, our larger mission generally requires cheap restrictions. You might have my honest finest needs to your continued success in your Navy profession.”

The chaplain mentioned the letter of rejection was practically equivalent to the opposite letters he’s seen.

“You’ll be able to maintain every of those as much as the sunshine, and so they look precisely like everybody else,” he mentioned. 

The chaplain pointed to the U.S. Marine Corps, which lately permitted non secular lodging for 3 Marines whereas rejecting hundreds extra.

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One active-duty Marine with a authorized background who lately spoke with Fox Information Digital mentioned the Corps granted these exemptions simply to provide the looks that the non secular rights of service members are being revered and to “alleviate among the strain off of themselves.” That officer mentioned, nevertheless, that the Corps has not disclosed precisely why these Marines’ requests have been granted approval in order that others can observe swimsuit. 

The officer mentioned at the least a “dozen or so” chaplains within the Marines have additionally been denied a non secular exemption.

“That they’re getting away with it simply completely astounds me,” the chaplain mentioned. “I might have thought that in case you grant one, you need to grant everybody, as a result of or else they’re selecting and selecting which faith is legitimate and who’s Constitutional rights below the First Modification shall be honored and whose won’t. It’s offensive to me as somebody who loves the Structure.”

“The entire thing is shrouded in secrecy,” he added.

The chaplain mentioned he has filed an attraction and that it’s nonetheless pending together with many others.

“No person is aware of fairly what to do with us whereas we’re ready for all of those appeals to be adjudicated,” he mentioned. “I’m in limbo. I’m ready to listen to again on the attraction. In the meantime, we’re all type of second-class residents as a result of we haven’t had the jab.”

He mentioned he believes service members are getting used as “check topics” with a vaccine that’s remains to be being studied.

“I actually suppose that the push for 100% vaccination has to do with eliminating something that appears like a management group,” he mentioned. “I believe that there’s in all probability cash concerned someplace. I believe that the navy has been a pleasant little check group, a set of check topics that actually can’t say no.”

The CDC has repeatedly mentioned that the vaccines are protected to be used, and research have proven that unvaccinated COVID sufferers are way more prone to die from the virus than vaccinated sufferers. 

Final month, a federal choose in Texas granted a preliminary injunction stopping the Navy from performing in opposition to 35 sailors who refused on non secular grounds to adjust to the vaccine mandate. Nonetheless, there was no indication that the order would have an effect on service members past these 35 sailors.

Choose Reed O’Connor, in issuing the order, mentioned, “There isn’t a COVID-19 exception to the First Modification. There isn’t a navy exclusion from our Structure.”

The Navy didn’t reply to Fox Information Digital request for remark.

The Related Press contributed to this report.