Friday, March 31, 2000
Major who refused vaccine leaves service
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Air Force Maj. Sonnie Bates, a Northern Kentucky native and one of the highest-ranking military officers to refuse the controversial anthrax vaccine, ended his 14-year military career Thursday.
Maj. Bates, 35, of Independence, went to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, signed papers, turned in his identification card and drove off the base as a civilian.
It was the latest chapter in his fight to persuade legislators and military officials to stop administering the vaccine. He believes the shots, meant to protect soldiers from biological warfare, are causing serious medical problems.
Originally, Maj. Bates faced a court-martial on a charge of refusing an order — and five years in prison if convicted. He also was grounded for refusing his vaccination Dec. 3.
In mid-February, Maj. Bates agreed to an administrative hearing by his commander, which allowed him to avoid a conviction on his record. On Feb. 28, he was fined $3,200 and was given a career-damaging official reprimand.
“Your disobedience of the lawful order of a direct superior commander undermines the very essence of military good order and discipline,” the reprimand said. “Your failure to live up to these standards cannot be condoned.”
This month his attorney — who had vowed an appeal — struck a deal with military officials. He got Maj. Bates a general discharge under hon orable circumstances, which became effective Thursday.
Maj. Bates, a 1986 Northern Kentucky University graduate and father of three, had mixed emotions.
“I was able to leave under honorable conditions. If we had gone through with the court-martial, we would most likely have lost,” he said in an interview via e-mail.
“I can only describe what has happened to me as abandonment and lack of integrity by our senior-ranking officials. Peoples' lives are being ruined by this vaccine.
“I have lost my career simply for telling the truth. How many people in America have lost their job or right to serve for refusing to allow a risky substance into their bloodstream? I am not the only military member wrongly dis charged over this issue. These unjust convictions must be overturned and the anthrax vaccine program put in check.”
Maj. Bates hasn't been a civilian since 1986, when he joined the Air Force three months after graduating with a bachelor's degree in math from NKU, His discharge guarantees that he'll get veterans' benefits and be able to get another federal government job. He has no immediate employment plans.
He plans to remain vigilant in his criticism of the anthrax program. He will continue pushing for the passage of House Resolution 2548, which would suspend the Defense Department's anthrax vaccination program.
He also is committed to telling high-school students about the risks of being unwill ingly exposed to chemicals by their own military.
“Potential recruits need to know that under current conditions they give up their right to their own body when they sign up ... even in peacetime,” he said.
Maj. Bates' struggle has received support from some Tristate legislators, including U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, D-Richwood, and U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind.
Mr. Lucas, who supports House Resolution 2548, was sympathetic to Maj. Bates' official discharge Thursday.
“It is unfortunate that the situation was resolved in this fashion,” he said. “At a time when we are having trouble recruiting and retaining the best and brightest in our military, it is troubling that we have lost someone of Maj. Bates' caliber.
“Reports of servicemen and -women who may have suffered permanent damage from the vaccine are of great concern. The questions surrounding (the anthrax program) are substantial enough to call for further study. During that time, I think it is only wise that we suspend the program.”
Two years ago, Defense Secretary William Cohen ordered all 2.4 million active-duty and reserve troops to get anthrax shots. About 340,000 service members have been immunized and 300 have refused to take the vaccine because of concerns about safety, Pentagon officials say.
Livestock handlers have been vaccinated against the bacterium that normally afflicts animals since 1970.
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