“Service members separated due to refusal of the COVID-19 vaccination order will not be eligible for involuntary separation pay and may be subject to recoupment of any unearned special or incentive pays,” the Army said. “As an exception, Soldiers who will complete their separation or retirement, or begin transition leave, on or before July 1, 2022, will be granted a temporary exemption and will be permitted to complete their separations or retirements.”

An article published by the Council on Foreign Relations policy think tank on December 30 of last year highlighted some trends among the vaccine-hesitant in the US military, including that young, junior service members are the most likely to refuse a shot and women and non-Hispanic Black service members were both less likely to initiate vaccination themselves.

“Most of those who are hesitant appear to be making a personal statement, not a political one, in refusing the vaccine, which comports with historical experience. From smallpox vaccine hesitancy in the eighteenth century to anthrax vaccine hesitancy in the late twentieth century, American service members have demonstrated a history of skepticism that predates today’s hyperpoliticized environment,” the article said.