Rob's Experience with Mandatory Vaccines in the U.S. Military

American soldiers deployed to Germany in 1985 were typically required to have standard military vaccinations. These generally included:

  • Diphtheria and Tetanus (likely as DTP or Td)
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): The combined MMR vaccine was licensed in the US, and outbreaks in the military sometimes led to vaccination programs.
  • Meningococcal vaccine: A quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV-4) was implemented as a military standard in 1985 and given to all recruits due to the increased risk of the disease in close living quarters like basic training and barracks.
  • Smallpox vaccine: The military continued the smallpox vaccination program for recruits until around 1990, even after it was globally eradicated, to ensure immunity for troops who went abroad.
  • Poliomyelitis vaccine
  • Typhoid vaccine: This was often used for "alert forces" or personnel deploying to areas where the disease was common, but might not have been a universal requirement for all personnel in Germany in the same way as the standard recruit vaccines.
  • Influenza vaccine: Depending on the time of year, influenza vaccines were likely administered.

    Specific deployment requirements could vary based on the local health environment, but the above list represents the common, generally mandatory vaccinations for US service members during that period.

    Here's what happened after I took the above MANDATORY vaccines after I came down on orders for Berlin, Germany in March of 1985:

    First, let me say that what I'm about to reveal to you is what happens to EVERY American soldier who came down on orders for Germany in the 1980s, NOT JUST ME! ALL soldiers are ordered to report for MANDATORY overseas vaccination on a Friday afternoon between 3-5PM. And that's because you'll be out of commission ALL weekend long! I woke up sick Saturday morning and stayed that way until Monday morning. Not only did I not eat one bite of food all weekend long as I had no appetite, every time I stood up there was a loss of equilibrium and an urge to vomit, all weekend long. All I could do is lay in bed all weekend and listen to my Sony Walkman. Worst weekend ever! Didn't start to feel better until Monday morning. And let me repeat: This happens to ALL soldiers deployed overseas, not just me! So DON'T TELL ME vaccines don't have negative side effects. I KNOW BETTER!

    Rob Kettenburg - Los Angeles
    November 10, 2025