The U.S. Department of Defense indicated it will respond to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt after his state’s National Guard suggested it would reject a Pentagon COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all service members. “We are aware of the memo issued by the Oklahoma Adjutant General regarding COVID vaccination for Guardsmen and the governor’s letter requesting exemption. We will respond to the governor appropriately,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement to news outlets on late Saturday. Without elaborating how the Defense Department (DOD) would respond, Kirby said Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin “believes that a vaccinated force is a more ready force,” and that it’s “why he has ordered mandatory vaccines for the total force, and that includes our National Guard, who contribute significantly to national missions at home and abroad.” Kirby’s remarks came after the newly appointed Oklahoma National Guard commander, Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino, issued a Nov. 11 …