No H1N1= discharge???

[xnv733x]

I have a good friend that has been in the coast gaurd for a little over a year last week he was called to recieve the vaccine and decided he didnt want it since he had a bad reaction to the regular seasonal flu shot a few months back. Monday he was called in and told to get it he refused and was sent to a doctor that was supposed to determine if he had an actual medical reason for refusingto take it. The doctor declared that there was no medical reason for his refusal he then had a meeting with an officer of some sort and was given a "direct order" to get the shot by the end of the day yesterday and was told if he didnt take it he would be punished or most likely discharged. If this is true what kind of discharge do you guys think he would recieve and what do you think about the situation in general?

[troysland]

Misconduct discharges are not the end of the world. Other than Honorable discharge, but the difficult thing here is for him to decide what's more important. The Coast Guard, His Country, and the Freedom he's helping protect. Or his own personal reasons for not getting the vaccine. If he gives in to the shot, he really didn't have the "Freedom" to decide in the first place. If he's on a ship, and he gets the Virus, he'll put everyone who doesn't have the vaccine in jeopardy. It's a Catch 22. Now some places require it for employment, like health and food services. If he really doesn't want the shot, he should look at other career options. Remind him it wouldn't be the end of the world, just a new beginning.

[xnv733x]

He said he decided that the risk of taking a vaccine that he doesnt believe has been tested enough to be considered safe isnt worth the risk and doesnt see it necessary to take the vaccine also considering that more people die yearly from the regular flu than the so called "swine flu" he doesnt see what the big deal ishe is now waiting for some sort of a trial kind of hearing ( i forgot what he called it) but he was basicly told that he was going to be discharged for not obeying a " direct order"

[thebloodsonthewall]

Seems like he needs to get his priorities straight. Everyone on the base I am at got it and no one got sick from it. If the entire military can get the shot, I think he should pull his head out of his butt and get the darn thing. I am sure he worked hard to get where he is in the Coast Guard so why would he throw all that away over a shot? When you enlist, you are now owned by the government.

[xnv733x]

Is it actually in writing that you are required to take all the vaccines or is it just that they gave him a direct order

[randver]

Is it actually in writing that you are required to take all the vaccines or is it just that they gave him a direct order

disobeying superior commissioned officer
Article 134 --General article

[xnv733x]

so if he does get discharged over this would it be a dishonorable discharge

[Desert_Rat]

Dishonorable,not likley.More likley an Other than Honorable.In about 95-96 there was a bunch of scuttlebut about making all Marines take an Anthrax vaccine.A bunch of us got all huffed up about it,but it never happened.

[CavTrooper]

Regardless, if he gets anything other than a honorable, he can pretty much kiss any chance of using his training and experience as a good bullet on his resume.

[CSDGuy]

If he had a "bad reaction" to a previous flu vaccine, he can follow the order, get the vaccine at the hospital, so that if he DOES have an adverse reaction, he'll have it medically documented and it can be put in his medical file.

Not exactly a good way to end one's service...

[kermit315]

I dont want to get it, but I agreed to follow the orders of those appointed over me, as long as they are lawful. That means I am getting stuck.

If he doenst feel the same way, and I am not saying I blame him, he will have to take the consequences that come with his decision.

I would say OTH also. Just guessing though.

[RANDO]

He should stop being a puss or become allergic to eggs

[eviioiive]

sounds like someone needs to make more friends at medical...

[Richie Caketown]

Regardless, if he gets anything other than a honorable, he can pretty much kiss any chance of using his training and experience as a good bullet on his resume.

wont he also have trouble acquiring firearms with a DD?

[360PA]

wont he also have trouble acquiring firearms with a DD?

He won't get a DD. IIRC you have to go through court-martial to get a DD. I've been told certain categories of discharges that are not "honorable" actually "become" honorable after a certain time.