Thomas Mancino says National Guard will not enforce Biden’s Vaccine Mandate

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The new Adjutant General of the Oklahoma National Guard, Thomas Mancino said none of its members will currently be required to become vaccinated for COVID-19. However, the measure opposes the vaccine mandate of President Biden for the US military. Mancino said the Guardsmen will not have to become vaccinated for COVID-19 unless federally mobilized. No negative administrative or legal action will be taken against Guardsmen who reject the COVID-19 vaccine. Oklahoma command will continue to process federal vaccine waivers in accordance with the Department of Defense policy. Point to be noted that Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt recently appointed Mancino to replace Adjutant General Michael Thompson, who had led the Oklahoma National Guard since 2017. Thompson had supported vaccination for most Guardsmen with some exceptions.

Mancino said, “This policy is not anti-vaccine. I and the Governor are both vaccinated. I encourage all our Oklahoma Guard Members to get vaccinated if they choose to do so. We want to educate and inform our Soldiers and Airmen so that they can make an informed decision regarding the DoD Vaccine Mandate”. Congress established a dual framework for the National Guard under Title 32. The states receive federal funding in return for being made available to the federal government when called to active duty by the President. Moreover, Title 32 clearly indicates the Oklahoma National Guard is a state-controlled, federally-funded entity, and takes orders from the Governor & his designated chain of command.

The Oklahoma National Guard takes all orders from the President and his designated chain of command when mobilized by the President under Title 10. Mancino said, “Failing to follow the Governor’s lawful orders while on Title 32 would be both illegal, unethical, and against our sworn oaths. Nothing in this order prevents anyone from taking vaccine; nothing in his order eliminates the Federal Requirement. The Governor is hoping for Federal Relief from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and in the interim has granted state relief from this requirement.

Point to be noted that the governor issued an executive order on Oct. 22, voicing opposition to President Biden’s vaccination requirement for federal contractors. Stitt said, “Vaccines work and are effective, but they should not be mandated by any government to free citizens”. Earlier this month, the Governor had also asked US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to suspend a requirement that Oklahoma National Guard members receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Mancino added, “The Governor’s request is with Secretary Austin for decision and the National Guard Bureau has indicated it will conduct a legal review of our position”.