The U.S. Air Force announced on Monday the discharge of 27 active-duty airmen for refusing vaccination against COVID-19.

Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said the discharged airmen were all young and had served less than six years. The discharged airmen reportedly did not qualify for a hearing because they had not yet served long enough.

A reported 97 percent of active-duty members have complied with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's vaccine mandate in August. Air Force service members had until Nov. 2 to get vaccinated. Fox News reports "thousands [in the Air Force] have either refused or sought an exemption" to the mandate.

The Washington Post reports approximately 40,000 active-duty military service members across all branches have refused vaccination against COVID-19.

The U.S. Navy recently removed a commander from his role as executive officer of a warship, making him the first naval officer to be fired over vaccine refusal.