The U.S. Military’s Greatest Contemporary Adversary: COVID-19

Photo Credit: NavyTimes

By sidelining an aircraft carrier, the Covid-19 pandemic has accomplished something that neither China nor Russia ever has.^[i] In March of 2020, the USS Theodore Roosevelt made an emergency port call in Guam^[ii] due to roughly 25% of its almost 5,000 sailors onboard testing positive for Covid-19.^[iii] The outbreak led to the death of one individual due to complications related to Covid-19 and caused the captain to write a 20 page letter to Navy officials asking for help.^[iv]

“We are not at war,” Captain Crozier wrote. “Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our sailors.’^[v] Then-acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly fired Captain Crozier before an investigation could be conducted.^[vi] The incident ultimately led to the resignation of the Secretary of the Navy.^[vii]

While the pandemic has taken a toll globally, its effects on our military cannot be understated. In their recently published Time article, Moulton and Schultz emphasized, “Neither Russia nor China, our greatest contemporary adversaries, have ever taken out a U.S. aircraft carrier. But COVID did.”^[viii] Like the Spanish flu did 100 years ago, Covid-19 has jeopardized military readiness and cost American lives.^[ix]

Now the American military is facing a new challenge.  Widespread distrust of the vaccines is causing servicemembers to refuse vaccinations. Citing the speed at which the vaccines were produced, the pressure from higher-ups to receive the shot, already having tested positive, or not wanting to introduce foreign substances into their bodies, one third to one half of the 2.2 million U.S. troops serving around the globe^[x] are opting out of receiving the vaccine.^[xi] The military’s first tier of vaccinations – including emergency services and medical workers – averaged about a 55% acceptance rate. The second tier–comprised of frontline workers, troops preparing to deploy, and those responsible for critical national capabilities–averaged about 30%. And of the military’s third-tier–including other essential workers and those at an increased risk of serious illness– only about 15% agreed to receive the vaccine.^[xii] Younger servicemembers turn down the vaccine more frequently, as they believe the virus poses less risk to them.^[xiii] Roughly half of all service members are younger than 25, and 81% are younger than 35.^[xiv] Additionally, while an average of 30% of officers are opting out of the vaccine, more than 55% of enlisted service members are opting out.^[xv] Enlisted service members make up roughly 80% of the United States military.^[xvi]

Some service members have found that speaking to eligible troops directly increases the likelihood of those troops receiving the vaccine. “‘What we found is working is soldier testimonials rather than the CDC guidance or the corps surgeon or battalion or brigade surgeon,’ said Col. Joseph Buccino, a Fort Bragg spokesman.”^[xvii] Promoting pictures and videos of high-ranking officers receiving the vaccine also has a positive effect.

“‘For every master chief that’s suspicious of the vaccine, you’ve got to find 10 others that get it and put their picture and video of them getting it everywhere…If I’ve got 10 others saying, ‘young man, young lady, follow me,’ that can be powerful.’”^[xviii]

While the numbers are unencouraging now, many remain hopeful that vaccination acceptances will rise.

“‘You’ll see a lot more people watch their shipmates and their friends and neighbors get the vaccine and not blink an eye . . . they’ll have more confidence in it.’”^[xix]