The Navy and Marines are responding to the COVID crisis and enforcing their own vaccination deadlines

San Diego Marine Hospital helps a COVID-hit New Mexico civil hospital as the military steps up its response to the virus.

In early December, San Diego’s Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command dispatched a team of 20 people to the San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, New Mexico. This state has seen an increase in COVID-19 admissions.

Other military teams have been dispatched to hospitals in Colorado and Michigan where similar peaks have been recorded. President Biden said an additional 1,000 soldiers will be drafted in January and February to help overburdened civilian hospitals across the country.

This is happening as the military within its ranks continues to respond to COVID-19.

Major Jim Stenger, spokesman for Marine Corps Headquarters, said 169 Marines were expelled from the corps this week for refusing the vaccine. Overall, the Marines have a lower vaccination rate than the rest of the military – 94 percent are fully vaccinated, versus 98 percent across all branches.

The Navy and Marines are responding to the COVID crisis and enforcing their own vaccination deadlines

The Marines have granted 1,026 administrative or medical exemptions. The reasons are: If a Marine has responded to the vaccine or if he is stationed in places where the vaccine is not immediately available. Neither the Marines nor the Navy are expected to issue a religious exception. The Marines have already formally turned down 3,080 out of 3,192 Marines who requested a religious exemption.

The deadline for vaccinating all active troops has already passed. The next deadlines are later this year for the Navy and Marine Reserves and the Air National Guard. Army National Guard troops have until June. The California National Guard has announced that it will adhere to federal and state guidelines that require troops to be vaccinated.