Posted on 11/12/2021 6:28:31 PM PST by Enlightened1
“No Oklahoma Guardsman will be required to take the COVID-19 Vaccine,” Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino wrote in a Thursday memo.
The newly installed head of the Oklahoma National Guard has ordered that troops under his command will not be forced to comply with the Pentagon's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the armed forces.
“No Oklahoma Guardsman will be required to take the COVID-19 Vaccine,” Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino wrote in a Thursday memo. The memo was at odds with a Defense Department directive that the "total force" - including the National Guard - must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mancino noted in the memo that Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is the organization's “lawful Commander in Chief” when not under federal orders, implying that Stitt - not Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin - has the final call on any vaccine mandate.
Mancino wrote in the memo that "no negative administrative or legal action will be taken" against guard members who do not get the vaccine.
Mancino was appointed on Wednesday as adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard, replacing former Adjutant General Michael Thompson.
Governor Kevin Stitt earlier this month asked Austin to suspend the vaccine mandate for members of the Oklahoma National Guard.
“It is irresponsible for the federal government to place mandatory vaccine obligations on Oklahoma national guardsmen which could potentially limit the number of individuals that I can call upon to assist the state during an emergency,” Stitt wrote in a Nov. 1 letter to Austin.
"This mandate violates the personal freedoms of many Oklahomans, as it asks them to potentially sacrifice their personal beliefs in order to not lose their jobs," Stitt wrote. "All of our national guardsmen take this calling very seriously. These are patriotic citizens who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect others in our communities during times of greatest need."
Austin has not directly responded to Mancino, according to an official with the Oklahoma National Guard.
The Pentagon is aware of the memo and the letter from Stitt, and “will respond to the governor appropriately,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told Military Times.
Much respect, Brig. General.
I am hoping this courage spreads far and wide. Do NOT submit to tyranny.
We are in the midst of a civil war. It’s just getting started but this is what it is.
Ping
Ditto!
We’re going to need a lot more of this at all levels.
This could get... very interesting...
Encore! 49x!
True
The Oklahoma National Guard is not part of the US military until Joe’s puppets give the order to federalize those troops.
And we have the guns
When we march it isn’t random,
we fight for freedom so Let’s Go Brandon!
One, two, three, four,
Biden went and pooped the floor!
Our troops will not listen to Brandon
If only other General Officers or Admirals responded in this manner, or resigned in protest... cowards. Every single one of you, cowards.
I believe you are 100% correct. I just wonder if it will it get even more violent than it is right now?
The Pentagon is aware of the memo and the letter from Stitt, and “will respond to the governor appropriately,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told Military Times.
I think we all know how the Pentagon will respond to Governor Stitt.
Mancino was appointed on Wednesday as adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard, replacing former Adjutant General Michael Thompson.
Clearing out dead wood most likely. The guy replaced is one of Obama’s people.
You again?
In the midst of huh?
Put some water on it, is that a mercy flush?
God bless Oklahoma, and it’s Governor and Guard commander.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.