Lloyd Austin
Overall, vaccine compliance is high among all branches of the military, despite early grumblings.
Top Pentagon leaders are set to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee amid sharp criticism of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Military service members must immediately begin to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo.
The 18 aircraft will be used to ferry people out of temporary safe havens and staging bases outside of Afghanistan.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
President Joe Biden said last week that all federal employees and contractors must be vaccinated or face weekly testing.
An independent review found that although military leadership touted policies of no tolerance, junior women endured sexual harassment nearly daily.
Defense Department officials said Trump-era policies largely banning transgender people from serving in the military will be swept away.
Several dozen Trump loyalists who were appointed at the last minute will be forced to resign from policy boards.
The changes primarily allow women soldiers more flexibility, introducing the ability to wear longer styles tied back for quick movement.
The president is expected to repeal the Trump-era ban that prevents openly trans Americans from serving in the military as soon as Monday.