Thousands of Army National Guard soldiers who haven't gotten COVID-19 vaccine could be forced out

Pentagon says after June 30, Army National Guard members won't be paid by the federal government when they are activated on federal status unless they are vaccinated.

Guard leaders say states are doing all they can to encourage soldiers to get vaccinated by the deadline. And they said they will work with the roughly 7,000 who have sought exemptions, which are almost all for religious reasons.

"We're going to give every soldier every opportunity to get vaccinated and continue their military career. Every soldier that is pending an exemption, we will continue to support them through their process," said Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, in an Associated Press interview. "We're not giving up on anybody until the separation paperwork is signed and completed. There's still time."