A former member of the Maine Army National Guard, Maj. Michael Gary, alleges that he was unjustly labeled a “domestic extremist” and subsequently forced out of his position due to his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine. This action was taken despite a federal order to reinstate him. Gary asserts that he was among the first service members in the United States to request a religious accommodation for the vaccine back in December 2020, long before vaccination mandates were implemented across the military.
Gary applied for his exemption on December 1, 2020, stating, “Nobody has corrected me on this. I believe I’m the first guy in the nation to submit a religious exemption in the COVID era.” Initially, he claims his chain of command supported his rights under the First Amendment. However, as vaccination became mandatory, he alleges that their support waned, leading to several severe accusations against him.
Documents from the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) reveal that Gary was accused of being “a bully,” “a government time waster,” and a “COVID-19 conspiracy theorist.” The board’s proceedings indicate that he was ultimately separated from the military for refusing the vaccine, despite these claims being described as baseless. On March 21, 2022, Gary received a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR), which was followed by his involuntary release from full-time service.
Gary explained the implications of these accusations: “So they made up a bunch of false allegations… one was that I interfered in the 2020 election. So, yes, it was highly political.” After his separation, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves to maintain his military career, but this position did not provide the full-time income he previously earned while supporting his four children.
Despite his ongoing service in the USAR at the rank of major, Gary expressed frustration over the impact of his forced separation on his career. He noted that he was in line for a promotion while the investigations against him were underway. The ABCMR ultimately sided with him, determining that an injustice had occurred in the administrative procedures related to his GOMOR for vaccine refusal.
“The Board found correctly that I was innocent,” Gary stated. He claims to have gathered extensive documentation—including witness statements and character references—to support his case. Yet, he maintains that the Maine Army Guard continues to retaliate against him, as unauthorized documents have allegedly remained on his record despite federal orders for their removal.
In correspondence with War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Gary highlighted that the ABCMR’s ruling was ignored, citing the legal framework under 10 U.S.C. § 1552. According to this statute, decisions from military boards are binding on all Army components, including the National Guard. Ignoring these decisions is considered illegal.
Hegseth has acknowledged Gary’s situation, noting progress in removing the GOMOR from his record. “Every day we are working to undo the wrongs of the unlawful COVID Vax Mandate,” he remarked. Gary has also reached out to former President Donald Trump for assistance, yet he feels that accountability for those responsible remains elusive.
Gary’s circumstances echo the case of Brigadier General Christopher Sage, whose favorable ruling from a correction board regarding COVID-related issues was later overturned by a Pentagon official. Both men represent a broader struggle among military personnel who have faced consequences for vaccine refusal.
Gary’s ongoing fight emphasizes the complexities surrounding military mandates and individual rights in a changing landscape. He hopes that addressing his situation could inspire other states to reconsider similar actions, advocating for fairness and justice within military ranks.
