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Those training events are usually critical for soldiers to sharpen their military skills and for unit commanders to ensure their formations are ready to deploy if needed. Due to underlying structural barriers, a blanket ban on previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors - regardless of their current health status - will disproportionately affect minorities and. There is also new guidance for examining an applicant's history with the disease during the screening process. Fortunately for her and many others, long COVID survivors have been able to find each other on social media and share their symptoms and recovery times, giving one another hope and companionship during an otherwise extremely dark time. Furthermore, geographic breakdown of infection rates spell long term difficulty for recruiting commands. Stephen Lopez, a 69-year-old from Pleasantville, New York, needed at-home oxygen even after he was discharged but is now recovering well. This ban applies uniquely applies to coronavirus survivors while allowing applicants with histories of other viral, non-chronic illnesses to enter the military. Center for a New American Security (en-US), Constructing Regional Partnerships and Seizing Emerging Opportunities, General Mike Holmes, U.S. Air Force (Ret. Apparently the best way to serve your country right now is by staying home because if you've been infected with the coronavirus, you're currently banned from joining the military. If soldiers, sailors, airmen, or Marines are ill with coronavirus, the flu, or something else, it can hurt their ability to fight if needed. Read Next: Space Force Launches New Intelligence Unit as Congress Voices Concerns over Growth. So far, clusters have been discovered at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, the Army and Marine Corps biggest initial entry training installations. Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. DoD seems to be mitigating potential downstream negative health effects or attrition among those previously hospitalized due to COVID-19, calculating a blanket ban is the best course of action (although it is not currently a cause for separation from service). A . Rescuers dig through quake rubble to find survivors. As of Friday, 5,171 active-duty military personnel have tested positive for COVID-19. Download "Covid-19 and the Military: Maintaining Operations While Supporting Civil Society" 364kb. The United States military has banned coronavirus survivors from joining the armed forces over fears that the virus may permanently damage the lungs of young recruits. The chief of Irans nuclear program, Mohammad Eslami, acknowledged the findings of the IAEA report. The memo stated that all 65 Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) across the country will medically evaluate all potential recruits, who will be required to have their temperature taken and complete a screening survey. No One Knows. During the screening process, a reported history of confirmed COVID-19 will be annotated Considered disqualifying pic.twitter.com/ZKx91AUbXo. While a small number in reference to the 180,000 cases the United States confirms every day, the military is comprised of only about 1.3 million active-duty personnel. Those with COVID-19 were 39% more likely to have depressive disorders and 35% more likely to show an increased risk of incident anxiety disorders over the months after infection. The Department of Defense medical waivers are usually . The Carter Center said he wants to spend his remaining time at home with family. It sort of depends, he said. A1.3: Yes, telework-ready military members, who can perform appropriate military duties remotely, may be assigned to an alternate duty location in their residence or government quarters. A defense official told Insider Thursday that the memo, while real, was "interim guidance" that was updated Wednesday. It's unclear if the military will dismiss these service members once they recover from coronavirus. Fortunately, the men and women of the armed forces are mostly young, and in good physical health, which reduces the likelihood they will need hospitalization. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. "Soldiers who refuse the vaccination order without an approved or pending exemption request are subject to adverse administrative actions, including flags, bars to service, and official reprimands," an Army spokesperson said in a statement. Thats what our health care professionals are looking at right now, and theyll come up with that recommendation on if theres any changes required to the accession standard, he said. However, changing standards to limit the pool of eligible recruits in ways that piggyback of structural inequities ultimately damages the force. The reasons for a permanent disqualification are vague. Any infectious disease, we want to make sure theyre not infectious at the time. The Japanesedefense ministeralso expressed concerns about the handling of the outbreak, which put stress on the U.S.-Japanese alliance. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. Updated guidelines follow a 24-hour news cycle of confusion. An infectious disease such as the coronavirus can introduce tension into these foreign relations. 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The military will stop recruiting applicants who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a proposal in a memo from the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM). Please enter valid email address to continue. The 65 Military Entrance Processing Stations across the country will take temperatures and ask questions about symptoms and potential contact with the disease. The culture secretary praised the response from social media and technology companies in banning misinformation about coronavirus. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. If soldiers, sailors, airmen, or Marines are ill with coronavirus, the flu, or something else, it can hurt their ability to fight if needed. First and foremost, the Mt. Indeed, many military exercises and training events, especially overseas, have been delayed or cancelled due to the concerns about spreading the virus nationally or internationally. The official told the outlet the guidance is being put in place because there is little understanding of the long-term effects of the virus. Recruits with more severe effects will go before a medical board to determine if they can continue serving. "I thought I was losing my vision . The pandemic has exacerbated structural inequities, infecting and killing black people and those without access to healthcare at higher rates. It adds that during the medical history interview or examination part of their application, "a history of COVID-19 confirmed by either a laboratory test or clinician diagnosis, is permanently disqualifying.". Though weary and exhausted, coronavirus survivors are heading back home to their families and are trying to get on with their lives. "We're not giving up on anybody until the separation paperwork is signed and completed.". One crewmember passed away from the virus. A Pentagon spokeswoman confirmed the document is authentic,. Part-time soldiers with a pending medical or religious exemption for the vaccine may continue to train with their units and collect pay and benefits. DoD may calculate that the sheer number of unemployment claims in March will offset limiting the pool of eligible recruits by leading to a significant spike in interest. What started as an all-out ban evolved into barring those who had been hospitalized after contracting the virus. The contents of the memo, which has been circulating on the internet, were confirmed to Newsweek by the Pentagon, which described them as "interim guidance." The memo prompted howls of disbelief on social media. . Recruits can apply for waivers for all permanently disqualifying conditions, but without further guidance for exceptions dealing with COVID-19, a review authority would not have justification to grant a waiver, Military Times notes. And no major religious leaders have come out against vaccines. This spring, the aircraft carrierUSS Theodore Roosevelthad a coronavirus outbreak aboard ship that sickened more than 1,000 sailors of nearly 5,000 crew members. Pero's story is one of many COVID-19 survivors who, upon recovering from the infection, are only beginning their journey of recovery. For the militarys purposes, whether it causes irreparable lung damage could figure heavily in terms of combat readiness. After returning, a COVID-19 diagnoses will be marked permanently disqualifying, according to the memo. Likewise, in-person official visits, professional conferences, and nonessential travel, which advance military objectives, have been suspended in an attempt to contain and mitigate the risks associated with this worrisome virus. that the Pentagon is considering the ban on recruiting COVID-19 survivors. "We're going to give every soldier every opportunity to get vaccinated and continue their military career," Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army Guard, told Military.com in an emailed statement. The original memo stated all COVID-19 survivors were banned from serving, later clarified to state a confirmed history of COVID-19hospitalizationis a permanently disqualifying condition for entrance into the armed forces. Military Times says recruits can apply for waivers for all permanently disqualifying conditions, including surviving COVID-19. During the medical history interview or examination, a history of COVID-19, confirmed by either a laboratory test or a clinician diagnosis, is permanently disqualifying the memo reads. So far, it has made more than 260 recommendations. Banning COVID-19 survivors from military service is a recruiting mess waiting to happen | Center for a New American Security (en-US) Commentary Research Areas The Future of Warfare Strengthening Deterrence The Gaming Lab Defense Discussions The China Challenge Regional Alliances and Partnerships The India Opportunity The North Korea Threat Nathalie Grogan and Emma Moore. As Americans, these tough times will likely improve the resilience of both our militaryand the nation. Senior Research Fellow, Center for National Defense. While young people may generally be at lower risk, the sheer numbers of herd immunity still runs the risk of disqualifying large numbers of potential recruits. US military will no longer ban COVID-19 survivors from serving US military will no longer ban COVID-19 survivors from serving A US military vehicle drives in a patrol in Syria's. For example, this summer, theU.S. There is also new guidance for examining an. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Military leaders recently announced that all 1.3 million active duty service . On paper, the only thing an unvaccinated Guard soldier is qualified for now is state active-duty orders, a comparatively rare tool for a governor to activate their Guard for short-term emergencies such as hurricane relief and responding to domestic disturbances. U.S. U.S. military Travel Travel Ban Coronavirus. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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