CJCS Message to the Force - COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Published
  • By General Mark A. Milley, US Army
  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

MEMORANDUM FOR THE JOINT FORCE
SUBJECT: MESSAGE TO THE JOINT FORCE

The good health and readiness of our force is critical to America's defense. We need each and every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, Marine, and Guardian healthy and capable of performing our duties. COVID-19 is a threat to force protection and readiness.

With this in mind, the Secretary of Defense intends to mandate vaccinations for all Service members in the coming weeks. The Joint Force medical professionals recommended this as a necessary step to sustain our readiness and protect our force, our coworkers, our families, and our communities.

Mandating vaccines in the military is not new. Since the first days of basic training and throughout our service, we've received multiple vaccines. We have proven processes with trusted and skilled medical professionals.

We fight together in the defense of our Nation. We are responsible for each other's health and safety. Vaccines are the best tools to protect us from COVID-19. If you have taken the vaccine, thank you. If you have not yet taken the vaccine, please do so to protect yourself and those around you. If you have questions about this vaccine, its side effects or implications, consult with your leaders and medical providers.

MARK A. MILLEY
General, U.S. Army