AS OF LAST WEEK 469, AND COUNTING

AS OF LAST WEEK 469, AND COUNTING

By Andy Weddington

Tuesday, 08 February 2022

Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.  -Winston Churchill

Last week was report that to date the Marine Corps has discharged 469 Marines who refused to be vaccinated against covid. 

Discharges ongoing. 

After reading the article a bit of research surfaced a Department of Defense report that between 2001-2015 378 Marines were killed in combat in Afghanistan. [More killed in the years thereafter and recently during the botched withdrawal.]

Consider the numbers - in context of a handful of months versus a decade and a half.

And consider the impact on force readiness. 

As to impact on the force, the 469 may as well be KIA. 

Having served a tour of duty in Manpower at Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps, albeit 25+ years ago the people business has not substantively changed, some objective, reasonable though not an exhaustive list of questions ...

How many Marines reached end of obligated service before vaccination and did not reenlist because of the mandate?

How many poolees (awaiting to begin entry-level training) decided to leave the program because of the mandate?

How many potential poolees were not realized because of the mandate?

How many of the 469 Marines discharged were in first term?

How many Marines beyond first term?

How many Marines so far beyond first term and moving toward retirement, with family responsibilities, there was no realistic option (due to threat of discipline, punishment, discharge) other than to roll up their sleeve? [There's criminal term that addresses this sort of thing.]

How many vaccinated Marines have been or at present are covid positive?

How many vaccinated Marines have been or at present are quarantined?

How many vaccinated Marines have been or are on no duty, limited duty, or light duty due to health conditions from vaccination?

How many Marines have been or are pending medical discharge because of chronic problems caused by vaccination?

And there's other people numbers questions but moving on.

How about the psychology/philosophy dynamic behind the decision to refuse covid vaccination.

Is this a matter of disobedience or courage?

The discharges, though honorable, are for disobedience. [And supposed health of the force.]

But what about the courage it took to stand fast to morals, principles, ethics, core values, etc., to not be injected with a not throughly vetted and approved serum by day proving to cause otherwise healthy people to suffer ailment from minor to major including death - yet consequences to the individual unknown until after being vaccinated?

Is that not the sort of character admired and courage sometimes called upon during military service?

Noted in previous commentary, obedience, though necessary for military good order and discipline, is not a leadership trait; for good reason. 

And that line between obedience and cowardice is not confusing to the conscience. The person knows. And must live with their decision. [See Churchill opener.]

Of course, there is much I do not know. 

But when reports of warships of "fully vaccinated" crews must take to port because of covid outbreaks there's basis for suspicion, and pulling the Irish pennant to extrapolate readiness or lack thereof across the force. 

I restrain from the lengthy logical, common sense, and obvious arguments; volumes already in the public arena and volumes more to come from authors with more time than I to invest.  

For sure, Marines discharged for refusing vaccination are not cowards.

(Their) bravery is a leadership trait (courage) and leadership principle (set the example).

The closing question, "Will the submissive, for fear or whatever motive, be as brave?"

At stake? National Security.

Do homework. Think. Reach informed conclusions; not reactions but decisions.