Defense official says if the Oklahoma National Guard doesn’t comply with CO-VID vasine requirements, they will no longer be “maintaining national recognition,” thus, state will no longer have a National Guard, but rather a state militia – VOA Pentagon correspondent.
n one of his first acts as the head of the Oklahoma National Guard, new Adjutant General Thomas Mancino updated the guard’s COV vaccine policy.
In a memo issued Thursday, Mancino ordered that no members of the Oklahoma National Guard be required to take a COV vaxine.
The memo obtained by The Oklahoman also notes “no negative administrative or legal action will be taken” against guard members who refuse the COV vax.
The memo came just one day after Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Mancino to replace former Adjutant General Michael Thompson, who had served in that role since 2017.
Thompson was a vocal proponent of Co vax.
Stitt’s sudden replacement of Thompson has raised questions about whether the former adjutant general was ousted because of his views on mandatory vaxs for members of the military. Most military branches require troops to receive numerous vaccinations to be eligible for service.
Stitt’s office has denied that Thompson was replaced due to his opinion on vaxine mandates, and said the change in command was in the works since October.
“The clarified policy on CO vaxinations for Oklahoma Army and Air National Guardsmen reflects the governor’s ability to assert his command authority over the men and women of the Oklahoma National Guard while they are within the state’s borders,” said Lt. Col. Geoff Legler, a spokesman for the guard.
