"In their attempt to achieve military objectives, they are compromising the practice of medicine. Medicine is founded on three things - science, trust and patients' rights. I feel the mandatory nature of the program violates all three of those."

  • -- Captain (Dr.) John Buck, USAF

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    News on Dr. John Buck

    Air Force Physician Becomes First Military Physician to Face Court Martial For Refusing to Take Anthrax Shots...

    On May 21, 2001, Captain (Dr.) John Buck, USAF, was convicted of willfully disobeying a direct order to take the anthrax vaccine. The following day a jury of military officers sentenced Captain (Dr.) Buck to a $21,000 fine, restriction to Keesler AFB for 60 days, and a letter of reprimand. Because the jury neither dismissed Dr. Buck, nor sentenced him to jail, military law denies him the opportunity of an appeal that would ultimately reach the Supreme Court. A pre-trial hearing occurred from May 14-May17, 2001, to determine whether the U.S. Air Force will allow Dr. Buck to present evidence and witnesses supporting his position that anthrax vaccine has proven neither safe nor effective, and is therefore illegal. The military judge ruled that this evidence could not be presented to the jury. On April 18, 2001, Dr. Buck testified before the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine committee currently investigating the safety and efficacy of the anthrax vaccine. On May 3, 2001, he and former Air Force Major Sonnie Bates filed suit in federal court seeking a ruling on whether the DoD anthrax vaccine in an "investigational new drug" as defined in the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act.  This is his formal statement:

    Captain (Dr.) John Buck, MD
    and his wife Bridget

    "My name is John Buck. I am a physician who attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. I completed a residency program in Emergency Medicine at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas. I am board certified in Emergency Medicine and have been in the Air Force for 2 ½ years. I am the first physician to face a court-martial over the anthrax vaccine.”

    “The anthrax program was a well-intended program developed to protect our troops from the threat of anthrax. However, it was built on a very narrow scientific foundation. The result is that military objectives are being achieved while compromising the practice of medicine. The vaccine was never approved for mass inoculation to prevent pulmonary anthrax. It should be considered investigational. Our servicemen deserve to be told the risks and potential benefits, yet ultimately be given the choice. Operationally, it makes sense to have a mandatory program to vaccinate all the troops to insure maximum survivability, but legally and ethically I believe this encroaches on their rights as citizens and human beings. In fact, the highest judge in the Canadian military agreed when he ruled last year that the mandatory use of this vaccine was a violation of the Canadian Charter of Human Rights.”

    “In its endeavor to practice medicine the Department of Defense has violated the most important privilege afforded to health care providers - trust. As a physician, it is an honor and a privilege to have a patient put their health and life in my hands. This is a privilege I do not take lightly. I understand that service members give up certain rights when they become members of the armed forces, but in this case, federal law protects service members from programs such as this.”

    “As a member of the military medical community, I must look out for the health and well being of our troops. It would be a dereliction of duty for me not to stand up and question this controversial vaccine. I am willing to put my career and reputation on the line to protect the rights of our servicemen who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. We, the American people, must take care of our own. Our servicemen volunteer for the honor of serving and protecting this great nation. It is all of our responsibility to ensure their rights are not violated.”

    For reporters seeking more information about Captain Buck's case, email him BRaiBuck@aol.com.

    For more information on problems with the anthrax vaccine and a discussion of its legality, go to

    MajorBates.com