May 12, 2020

Banning COVID-19 survivors from military service is a recruiting mess waiting to happen

A recent memo from Military Entrance and Processing Command (MEPCOM) added to previously issued start-stop guidance from the Department of Defense relating to COVID-19. Updated guidelines follow a 24-hour news cycle of confusion. The original memo stated all COVID-19 survivors were banned from serving, later clarified to state a confirmed history of COVID-19 hospitalization is a permanently disqualifying condition for entrance into the armed forces.

As the United States grapples with the realities of a pandemic world, this is an enormous change for medical requirements imposed on new military recruits. More than 5,000 service members have tested positive for coronavirus with mass screenings occurring at recruiting depots and bootcamp. 

Read the full article in Task & Purpose.

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