Kyle Becker 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley has tested positive for Covid. The four-star general is “fully vaccinated” and has taken a booster shot.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a press release on the development late Monday night.
“Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley is working remotely and isolating himself from contact with others after a positive COVID-19 test yesterday,” the release said.
“He is experiencing very minor symptoms and can perform all of his duties from the remote location,” the announcement added. ” He has received the COVID-19 vaccines including the booster.”
“All other Joint Chiefs of Staff except for one tested negative for COVID-19 yesterday,” the statement added.
“Gen. Milley’s most recent contact with President Biden was on Wednesday, January 12 at Gen. Odierno’s funeral,” the release noted. “He tested negative several days prior to and every day following contact with the President until yesterday.”
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“The performance of his duties will remain unaffected,” commandant spokesperson Maj. Eric Flanagan said in a statement to The Hill.
In August, Milley on Monday issued a memo encouraging the US military force to get vaccinated against Covid-19, saying the “health and readiness of our force is critical to America’s defense.”
The order was formally issued by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in December. In early January, Austin also tested positive for Covid-19.
“My symptoms are mild, and I am following my physician’s directions,” Austin said.
“As my doctor made clear to me, my fully vaccinated status — and the booster I received in early October — have rendered the infection much more mild than it would otherwise have been,” he added. “And I am grateful for that.”
“Stemming the spread of this virus, safeguarding our workforce and ensuring my own speedy and safe recovery remain my priorities,” Austin said. “To the degree possible, I plan to attend virtually this coming week those key meetings and discussions required to inform my situational awareness and decision making. I will retain all authorities.
The first Cabinet secretary in the Biden administration to contract the coronavirus was Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who tested positive on Oct. 19.
In early January, a district court sided with thirty-five Navy SEALs and servicemembers who argued that religious objections to the Covid-19 vaccinations should be granted by the Department of Defense.
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