Behind the Poll

Approximately one-quarter (25 percent) of Navy SEALs have refused the mandatory COVID vaccine. The Pentagon is now threatening to block these SEALs from being deployed with their special operator teams.

Some of the Navy SEALs have sought a religious exemption, but it’s unclear if these exemptions will be granted. Critics say that blocking SEALs from being deployed will create a military readiness crisis.

R. Davis Younts is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force reserves and a JAG lawyer who is representing several of the special operators as a private lawyer. He said:

“My clients include several Navy SEALs who are a small part of a large group of SEALs and other military members who are being asked to choose between their faith and their ability to serve our nation. They have been told that if they seek a religious accommodation, they likely will no longer be able to serve our country as Navy SEALs and been given an arbitrary deadline to comply with the vaccine mandate. My clients need time, and we are seeking at least a 90-day extension to vaccine mandate compliance deadline they have been given.”