Marine discharged over vaccine (refused anthrax vaccine)

[UpInArms]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20031001-9999_1mi1anthrax.html

Lance Cpl. Kevin Lotz yesterday became the first Southern California Marine to be discharged for refusing the anthrax vaccination since the Marine Corps resumed widespread mandatory shots last fall.

Another Marine, a Camp Pendleton mortarman, faces trial in coming months if his case goes forward as expected.

Lotz, 21, a machine gunner from Rancho Peñasquitos who is stationed at the Twentynine Palms Marine base, will serve 14 days in a military jail and received a bad-conduct discharge – one step less severe than a dishonorable discharge.

He pleaded guilty yesterday to disobeying a lawful order in return for a guarantee of less than 60 days in jail. His sentence was shortened by the 42 days of barracks restriction he had already served.

...more...

[lcordero]

1. Why did he plead guilty to obeying a "lawful" order?

He could have contested it and called it an illegal order instead.

[TAH6988]

6. Because the order

is lawful.

[bobthedrummer]

2. Human test subject-an informed one in uniform of US military

happens all the time and involves many military families in long-term research all unwitting test subjects.

I'd refuse too.

[Cha]

3. Good for him! there are worse things than being discharged

from the freakin' military.

[Bushfire]

4. True patriots

Your health is more important that a military career.

[FlemingsGhost]

5. At least he'll survive this madness.

Kudos, Mr. Lotz.
Display that "bad-conduct" discharge like it was a medal.

Dissent is patriotic.