Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Amanda Johnson, a devoted Marine spouse and homeschooling mother to five children, is raising her voice after facing prolonged delays from the U.S. military medical system. Her family’s impending move to Peru has been stalled due to a lack of vaccinations among their children, despite Navy policies indicating these are not mandatory.
The operational intertwined nature between the Marine Corps and the Navy has created a complex situation. Due to logistical support and medical services being coordinated through Navy Medical, this issue becomes particularly sensitive for military families like the Johnsons.
In a heartfelt social media post to her nearly 15,000 followers, Johnson described her family’s struggle. One follower remarked on the irony, stating, “It is shameful that military families, who sacrifice so much, are denied freedoms due to bureaucratic processes.” This sentiment has resonated widely, gaining traction among military spouses, advocacy groups, and even garnering congressional attention.
“We were explicitly told that our children’s vaccine status made them unsuitable for relocation,” Johnson explained during an interview with Fox News Digital. “Despite my husband’s letter outlining our health plan abroad, we faced continued denial.”
Navy policy, as outlined in BUMEDINST 1300.2B, confirms that family members are not required to be vaccinated. This clarity is echoed by TRICARE, the healthcare system for service members, which states that vaccination status is not assessed for overseas enrollment. Furthermore, Peru, their destination, imposes no vaccination requirements for entry or residency.
“We are adhering to the prescribed regulations. Both Peru and Navy policy do not mandate vaccinations,” Johnson noted. “Our compliance and planning have been robust, yet we find ourselves at a standstill.”
The stress of this situation has extended to other aspects of the Johnson family’s life. Captain Hunter Johnson, Amanda’s husband, appealed directly to Navy Medical Jacksonville with a letter detailing how they maintain their children’s health while homeschooling them and limiting exposure to potential illnesses.
“Our children will not attend childcare, as my wife dedicates herself entirely to their care,” he stated in the letter. “Our situation is critical; my continued presence is essential for family stability during this Permanent Change of Station.”
Despite thorough preparations, the Johnsons encountered pushback from Navy Medical Jacksonville, which incorrectly claimed that their request had been forwarded to Naval Medical Atlantic Region for final evaluation. This bureaucratic misdirection compounds their mounting frustrations.
Amanda Johnson elaborated on the strain this situation has placed on their family life. Her husband had to postpone his paternity leave in order to avoid complications in his language course. “He returned to work five days after our fifth child was born, and now, during leave, he deals with this complex web of paperwork instead of spending time with us,” she expressed.
As they finalize their plans for relocation, the Johnson family has secured housing in Peru and arranged accommodations near Los Angeles International Airport for their journey. “We were informed that delaying our orders was an option, but that is not feasible for us. We should not be penalized for the uncertainties stemming from Navy Medical’s failures,” Amanda said.
In response to the challenges faced, the Johnsons sought assistance by filing a congressional inquiry through the office of Representative Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio. Additionally, Johnson recounted how the office of Representative Chip Roy from Texas reached out after learning about her plight on social media. “Even though I’m not from Texas, they showed concern and were eager to help,” she said, pointing out the growing public interest in their case.
Johnson emphasized her desire for comprehensive reform rather than merely resolution for her family. “It’s imperative that the individuals who denied our package face accountability. Policies should not be ignored,” she stated. “No medical professional should have the authority to deem a child unfit for travel based solely on vaccination records. This practice must cease.”
As her family’s ordeal unfolds, Johnson hopes to inspire systemic change. “The status of one’s vaccinations should not be a contentious issue, particularly for dependents. I urge the Navy to reconsider what information is relevant, and only request details when explicitly required by the host nation. Our family should not bear the consequences of inaction,” she concluded.
The Department of the Navy had yet to provide comments regarding this matter as of the last report.
