Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., received a lesson in military protocol on Monday after sharing a tweet suggesting members of the military would quit if they were forced to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Over the weekend, Massie claimed he had spoken with military personnel who told him they would quit the military if they were required to get the vaccine.

“I’ve been contacted by members of our voluntary military who say they will quit if the COVID vaccine is mandated. I introduced HR 3860 to prohibit any mandatory requirement that a member of the Armed Forces receive vaccination against COVID-19. It now has 24 sponsors,” he tweeted on Saturday.

By Monday, “AWOL” was a trending topic on Twitter, with people mocking Massie for believing members of the military could simply quit their positions.

Many pointed out that members of the military couldn’t give up their positions. However, those who abandoned their assignments without permission would be considered absent without leave.

“You don’t even know what you are talking about. Military has to get vaccinated. You cannot quit dufus. And you can forget about your bill. Start working on things that matter. Don’t waste your time on minuscule things. Military has a contract signed and if they quit they go AWOL,” one user posted.

Another posting suggested Massie shouldn’t be allowed to hold office following his comments. “Thomas Massie is a Republican congressman from Kentucky who’s encouraging members of the military who refuse to get vaccinated to go AWOL,” the tweet read.

“Massie’s promoting desertion by American military members. He should be forced to resign or expelled from Congress.”

Massie’s tweet included a link to an article from Army Times that claimed a leaked document revealed the army planned on making the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for service members in September.

However, a spokesperson for the army would not comment on the allegations.

“As a matter of policy, we do not comment on leaked documents. The vaccine continues to be voluntary,” Maj. Jackie Wren, an Army spokesperson, said in a statement. “If we are directed by DoD to change our posture, we are prepared to do so.”

Throughout Monday afternoon, Massie continued to tweet out his opposition to the vaccine and his support for service members against receiving it.

US Marines patrol past a Danish army tank as they clear explosives in the northeastern outskirts of Marjah in February 2010
US Marines patrol past a Danish army tank as they clear explosives in the northeastern outskirts of Marjah in February 2010 AFP / Patrick BAZ
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