The U.S. Coast Guard looks set to lose some of its most qualified and experienced Coasties, including many of its esteemed—and incredibly necessary—rescue swimmers as a result of the Pentagon’s vaccine mandate.
As of Oct. 18, the Coast Guard has received 1,250 religious accommodations requests, according to a media spokesperson. Only 12 have been approved and 1,238 have been denied.
What’s more, the Coast Guard’s rescue swimmers, known as aviation survival technicians, are severely short-staffed at 89 percent capacity, according to a recently retired senior rescue swimmer. Anything below 95 percent is considered critical.
This situation is set to worsen should the Coast Guard discharge the near 20 rescue swimmers currently refusing the shot due to their faith, according to Aviation Survival Technician (AST1) Anthony Gills (a pseudonym). He has almost 20 years of Coast Guard service, serving as a helicopter rescue swimmer for over 15 years….