C/O 2026 must be vaccinated before Iday

Bigrod

Bigrod

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General Moga held an All Call through the AOG on Friday and one thing he made very clear was if he has his way class of 2026 was going to come in already vaccinated and boosted or they would be turned away at the door. Just thought I’d pass along if you have received an appointment don’t wait to think you will get those shots during BCT. I love his passion for the Academy and he also said BCT will be like it was precovid and more of the traditional BCT so prepare to work your ass off.
 
usafacellist2026 said:
Any word on medical exemptions yet? 😬
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I know that in AFROTC our options were to either provide our vaccine cards or religious waiver request by Jan 31st. During our briefing, the Colonel heavily stressed that with over a thousand requested religious waivers throughout the Air Force, none had been approved at that point. So I’m not 100% sure, but he did not mention medical waivers as an option.
 
A1Janitor said:
I wish they would offer an exemption for natural immunity. The reports are out that is better protection than the vaccine.
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That would be interesting. My dad and I both got COVID in July of 2020. He was recently tested a couple months ago for antibodies and found out that he has the long-term antibodies still present.
 
Not looking to stir the pot and get into a debate, but thought I would pass along information that I know....

DD has a teammate c/o '25 who is not vaccinated. He's opted not to get vaccinated for now and can't compete with the team. He has not received an exemption, for anything, including already having covid. Not sure what they will be doing with him, since he still there and returned for the spring semester.

I'm assuming it just takes a little more time, but will either need to be vaccinated or won't be coming back next year, again only an assumption. Difference being c/o '25 entered when the vaccine wasn't fully approved, now it is, just like the rest of the shots needed for I-day.
 
I wish they would eliminate the ambiguity totally. Tell us do we have to get vaccinated or not? If we don't what are our options? Get off the fence. These leaders at the top are scared of their own shadows over this. We just want a firm resolute decision so we can make a decision. That is all we are asking. Reports are that there are still cadets planning to report unvaccinated. We know some. We are all asking the same question. My daughter is going to get the shot but really does not want to at all.
 
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jeffinCharlotte said:
I wish they would eliminate the ambiguity totally. Tell us do we have to get vaccinated or not? If we don't what are our options? Get off the fence. These leaders at the top are scared of their own shadows over this. We just want a firm resolute decision so we can make a decision. That is all we are asking. Reports are that there are still cadets planning to report unvaccinated. We know some. We are all asking the same question. My daughter is going to get the shot but really does not want to at all.
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Listen to the link above and draw your own conclusions. He states if not vaccinated and boosted you will be turned away at the door. My opinion that is pretty clear. My DS was forced to get vaccinated or be subjected to discharge. My understanding according to Moga the permanent party and cadets are at 99% vaccinated.
 
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This might be a little harsh but true, USAFA and the others SA’s can afford to to find those that are willing to come vaccinated at IDay to replace those still holding out. My take from Moga’s speech was that they will be taking a hard line. I just can’t see for the life of me why someone would risk the opportunity to attend USAFA over this vacccine, especially when there a bunch of other vaccines that are required as well that for some reason there is not resistance to.
 
usafacellist2026 said:
Any word on medical exemptions yet? 😬
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General Moga stated that any exemptions would need to be done BEFORE I-Day and the Basic must report WITH the exemption in hand. No idea how that happens. So far they have not required boosters, but highly encouraged.
 
FH76 said:
This might be a little harsh but true, USAFA and the others SA’s can afford to to find those that are willing to come vaccinated at IDay to replace those still holding out. My take from Moga’s speech was that they will be taking a hard line. I just can’t see for the life of me why someone would risk the opportunity to attend USAFA over this vacccine, especially when there a bunch of other vaccines that are required as well that for some reason there is not resistance to.
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It isn’t hard to understand why someone would risk the opportunity. There are several reasons.

My son decided to take it - but it wasn’t an easy choice. The candidates that earned their appointment would have other career paths if they chose not to do it.

I suspect most would end up getting it.
 
FH76 said:
This might be a little harsh but true, USAFA and the others SA’s can afford to to find those that are willing to come vaccinated at IDay to replace those still holding out. My take from Moga’s speech was that they will be taking a hard line. I just can’t see for the life of me why someone would risk the opportunity to attend USAFA over this vacccine, especially when there a bunch of other vaccines that are required as well that for some reason there is not resistance to.
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1450 ish appointments handed out of 3300 ish qualified, outstanding young people. There are over a thousand people waiting at the door. If this is the hill they want to die on, so be it...
 
A1Janitor said:
It isn’t hard to understand why someone would risk the opportunity. There are several reasons.

My son decided to take it - but it wasn’t an easy choice. The candidates that earned their appointment would have other career paths if they chose not to do it.

I suspect most would end up getting it.
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And better for USAFA to take a hard-line now so that those candidates can pursue other options. DH and I knew this was coming for our DS and told him that it was his decision but one he needed to make sooner rather than later. He chose to get the vaccine for several reasons. It wasn't cut-and-dried (I got really sick when I got the vaccine and we weren't sure if DS was susceptible to that also or if it should be risked), but in the end, he made his decision. Those that don't want it can take themselves out of the running and move onto other amazing plans.

I'm interested in the exemptions part, though. DH was exempted from the smallpox vaccine becuase he has a history of mild ecsema. Evidently, it is a known issue with that vaccine. He still deployed with his unit with no problems. I was exempted while I was at home living with him because of shedding issues but ended up getting it in theater. That whole process was initiated by the AF (my service)/Army (his service) and we just went with the flow. Are there issues like that with the COVID-19 vaxxes? Are there medical exemptions that are recognized by the military? Will you be medically DQ'd prior to entering a commissioning program due to allergy or medical exemption to a vaccine? I'm not sure if those questions have answers yet but I"m intrigued.
 
bopper said:
I saw reports that natural covid antibodies + vaccines+ boosters is even better
www.npr.org

I'm fully vaccinated and I also had COVID. Do I need a booster?

Booster shots have been authorized for all U.S. adults, and the government is urging people to get them. But what if you've already had COVID and the vaccine?
www.npr.org www.npr.org
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Of course that is being reported. But is natural immunity sufficient?

So who is more protected? The vaccinated that never had it or the unvaccinated that did have it? Certainly it is being reported that the vaccinated can get and transmit the disease.

The issue is of course - if you have natural immunity, is the risk of adverse effects from the vaccine greater than the risk of covid? And what are the effects on the immune system by taking the boosters.

The military is not releasing the data on adverse effects from the vaccines. A poster here who I will keep anonymous- told me people currently serving in the military don’t want to get boosters because of adverse conditions they have personally observed.

Time will tell. Until then - orders are orders.
 
The military doesn't allow for folks to get an exemption from the annual flu vaccine if they've had the flu. With COVID mutating like a flu virus, not only do I doubt they would allow for an exemption, I fully expect it to become an annual requirement along with the flu vaccine. I also doubt the med administration is willing to deal with the overhead of having to validate antibody testing or previous infection.

And when you're a basic running through the vaccine line, I want to be a fly on the wall for someone refusing the COVID vaccine. Likely a fast track ticket to being kicked out.
 
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