Marine describes experience in ‘penal platoon’ after vaccine refusal

Former Marine Cruz Marquis has detailed his experience being assigned to a unit he described as a ‘penal platoon’ following his refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate imposed by the Biden administration in 2021.

Marquis, who was assigned to Lima Company at the School of Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton, was later transferred to the school’s Legal and Separations Platoon while undergoing the administrative separation process. He characterized the experience as a form of state repression. The Marine Corps confirmed that Marquis was assigned to SOI-West and subsequently separated from the service.

The 2021 military-wide mandate required service members to receive the vaccine or face disciplinary action and discharge. According to Marquis, thousands of service members were ultimately discharged for refusing the shot.