A Navy warship commander was reportedly relieved of duty after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine or submit to regular testing.
Commander Lucian Kins was terminated Friday from his position on the USS Winston Churchill.
According to Fox News, “Kins applied for a religious exemption, which was refused by the Navy”. He later appealed the decision.
Navy spokesman LCDR Jason S. Fischer said “On December 10, 2021, Commander, Naval Surface Squadron 14, Capt. Ken Anderson, relieved Cmdr. Lucian Kins as executive officer of USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) due to loss of confidence in Kins’ ability to perform his duties”.
Another officer will take Kins’ place until a permanent replacement is found and Kins will be “reassigned to the staff of Naval Surface Squadron 14” .
The USS Winston Churchill is stationed in Mayport, Florida on a scheduled 14-month maintenance period.
The Navy had a late November deadline for its personnel to get vaccinated or request an exemption. Over 2,000 sailors have requested religious exemptions, but so far none have been approved.
