Navy Chaplain Denied Religious Exemption to Vaccine Mandate
February 02, 2022
Last month, a chaplain in the United States Navy Reserve said he was denied a religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine. The chaplain faces possible dismissal from the Navy after nearly two decades of service due to his refusal.
“It’s a kick in the gut for sure,” the chaplain said to Fox News Digital. “If I lose retirement benefits that way, that would be a pretty significant burden to me and my family. At the same time, this is a fight worth fighting. I do not think this is a lawful order.”
The chaplain, who is also a pastor, said his religious exemption request was recommended for approval by his command officer and his commanding officer’s boss, but was ultimately rejected.
In addition to discussions with chaplains to determine whether they have a “sincerely held religious belief,” troops must meet with commanders and medical personnel; finally, the decision is made higher up the chain of command. The Navy has not approved any of the thousands of requests for religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine.
In the rejection letter the chaplain received from Vice Admiral John B. Nowell Jr., it stated:
“Your request for religious accommodation through waiver of immunization requirements is disapproved.”
“A waiver of immunizations would have a predictable and detrimental effect on your readiness and the readiness of the Sailors who serve alongside you in both operational and non-operational (including training) environments. I find that disapproval of your request for a waiver of immunization requirements is the least restrictive means available to preserve the Department of Defense’s compelling interest in military readiness, mission accomplishment, and the health and safety of military service members.”
“The Navy is a specialized community governed by a discipline separate from that of the rest of society,” the letter added. “While every Sailor is welcome to express a religion of choice or none at all, our greater mission sometimes requires reasonable restrictions. You have my sincere best wishes for your continued success in your Navy career.”
The anonymous chaplain pointed to the United States Marine Corps, which approved their own religious accommodations for three Marines while rejecting thousands more. But one active-duty Marine with a legal background said the Corps granted those exemptions to give the appearance that the religious rights of service members are being respected.
The chaplain said he has filed an appeal and it is still pending along with many others.
The CDC has repeatedly said that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe for use, and studies have shown that unvaccinated COVID patients are far more likely to die from the virus than vaccinated patients.