The Military and Diabetics

[United]

Originally posted by rpm371
What United isn't understanding is it's not all about him. It's about the other men and women who's backs are not covered and are endangered when he goes down because of a pre-existing medical condition in the heat of battle. No amount of good intentions can prevent this.

Ah, I had never thought of this.  I guess it would be unsettling to know the guy covering you could go down any second, and not just to enemy fire.


Thanks for the info all.

[Gunslinger]

Originally posted by United
Ah, I had never thought of this.  I guess it would be unsettling to know the guy covering you could go down any second, and not just to enemy fire.


Thanks for the info all.

Yes RPM nailed it there.  Everyone on active duty now adays needs to be world wide deployable.  If you had a bad insulin reation out on the field it takes resources away from other units to help you.  

There's nothing wrong with not being able to serve.  Ever consider civil service?  with some schooling you can get a job working along side active duty just the same but getting paid alot more.  I know its not the same but it's still serving your country.

We had a guy with us at Boot Camp that everyone called the "grand ole man of recruit training" (see: archibald henderson)  He had been there 527 days trying to get back into a platoon after breaking his hip.  Eventually he was discharged but he faught like hell to stay at a place were most kids were crying to leave.  Good luck to you.

[Rafe35]

Originally posted by United
Today I had a talk with an Air Force recruiter.  We discussed several things, and I began hinting that I would be interested in signing up.  

We talked a little more and I found out that I was eligible to join.  I met all of the physical requirements (except one...), all of my test scores were above minimum, and I was willing to serve.  I then mentioned that I was Diabetic and the whole conversation changed.  

I was immediately told that I could not join and was not given a reason as to why the military does not accept Diabetics.

So heres my question:

What can a non-Diabetic do that a Diabetic can't?  and Why are Diabetics denied the chance to serve their country?

That the same way that I am deaf person(Both Ears) and I was told immediately that I cannot joined, but that was before I had Cochlear Implants in my right ear and sooner it will go Left ear also.

The Air Force have already testing 17 Cochlear Implants People which they have already their lost hearing because loud noise or sickness cause them losing their hearing.  The Air Force told the people that Cochlear Implants have already successfully to hear better than any normal people and they are still discussing whereabout if "Hearing Impaired" Cochlear Implants can joined(No Hearing aid users).

BTW, United:  If you want to joined really bad like me, then go the Congressman/Congresswoman for discussing.  You have to remember that your political rep will only help you if you help them and if they don't go to the opposite party if you have to. It makes them look good that a republican/democrat goes to another party for help...do it if you have to.

Now, I'm still willing to joined US Marine Corps and hopefully be a Drill Instructors.  

[cpxxx]

There was a girl here who is Coeliac, (intolerant of wheat based foods).  She wanted to join the Navy but was rejected. She took it to court but lost.  I really don't know how she thought she would win. The idea that any ship she served on would have to have special supplies just for her is just crazy.  

Sometimes if you develop something while in the service you can stay on but rarely do they let you join with a problem.

[mora]

Well they don't allow diabetics to serve here, although there is a trial program now where some diabetics are serving. I was kicked out because I was diagnosed with a kidney disease that didn't affect my ability to serve in any way.

[mred]

It is intersting how much testing and control have advanced in the last 10 years that that question can even be asked.  You probably have attained a degree of control that keeps you BG at a safe level, but don't forget it is still a controlled envirorment and you are the one controlling it and sounds like very well. I don't  think the military could gurantee you that level of control.
If it did not hurt you in the short term, there are long term effects that would harm you.

I am ID and I know that if I have to correct for any activity or lack thereof, different foods being ate at functions, etc. You probably don't realize the amount of discipline you have achieved and how much you depend on regular testing, having the right foods and increasing or decreasing your activity to compensate.

Even a non ID person has to calculate to a degree what an activity will have on his body, for instance, water intake during a marathon, and make provisions for it or they won't finish the race, or worse. But we have that other factor that is not at all trivial and can't be ignored for any length of time.

One other thing, you may be able to overcome all this, but I know a lot of ID people that cannot, my daughters ex boyfriend passes out fairly regular from low BG levels. He just can't seem to figure it out. I know you should not be held back because of other peoples problems, but those people are there and must be taken into account. And how does someone prove that they have this level of control and will maintain it throughout their career. And what happens if you become an EPOW?
There are many ways to serve without military service.  The list would be endless.
I wish you all the best and know you'll come out on top. ID people alway do.  

[Bodhi]

United,

Proud of you for wanting to join up, damn proud, but I can see the service's point of view for a combat or support role.  As for being stateside, and non-deployable, I think they should reconsider...

M $ .02

[Gunslinger]

Originally posted by Bodhi
United,

Proud of you for wanting to join up, damn proud, but I can see the service's point of view for a combat or support role.  As for being stateside, and non-deployable, I think they should reconsider...

M $ .02

bodhi its a nice thaught but in almost ALL services if you are not world wide deployable you are useless.

It's sad that there are people out there like United that want to serve but can't and for something that isnt there fault at all.  

I've worked in many recruiting offices and have seen a ton of kids that want to serve but can't.  One of my best friends had to watch his two best friends go off and join the Corps while he stayed at home and looked after our woman

His reason.....cause when he was 10 he flipped out and tried to kill himslef (even he says now it was just a cry for attention) and was put on prozac.......imediate disqualifyer.

seriously United look into civil service.  They have a great summer internship program if you are going to college.

[Estes]

Originally posted by JB73
the only thing i can say is i "assume" anyone active in the service can be called on at any time in a emergency, and that could be dropping into an enemy territory for an unditermined time, with udetermined supplies.

personally i am sorry dude, but knowing even the "possibility" of the guy next to me going into a diabetic seizure, and not being to defend me sacres me.

s***y  break and i am sorry dude. i had steroid induced diabetes for about a year from prednisone. it sucked, and i still have what i guess is a "mild" form. i dont see docters about it because frankly im scared, and would rather die than stick myself with a needle every day.

Yeah, don't go to the doctor. It's only life.

[Wolfala]

I was 1 week away from getting my commission with the USMC for Aviation, straight out of college when I was hospitalized with Type 1 Diabetes. I spent another year finding something else to do, so now i'm a researcher at the Naval Post Graduate school. Bottom line, you can work for the military, you just can't be in them unless you get diagnosed while already in.



Wolfala

[Wolfala]

Originally posted by B17Skull12
United it probably has more to do with the branch you talked with.
Air force flying.  high G's with diabetic means i think that in the heat of combat you might need insulan right?

im not familiar with diabetics so i wouldn't know for sure, but i am willing to bet it is under that reason or something like it.

90 % of the chairforce is support. 10 % flies.

[Coolridr]

Bottom line..Military takes almost NO people with any health issues...There are waivers for minor stuff..Military does not consider diabetes minor..

[Rafe35]

Originally posted by Coolridr
Bottom line..Military takes almost NO people with any health issues...There are waivers for minor stuff..Military does not consider diabetes minor..

What about STDs?  Didn't Military allow STDs people to joined?  I remember they say something about STDs on the news from last year(?)?

[Estes]

Are you hinting at something rafe?

[SunTracker]

I wear glasses.  I cannot see well at ALL without them.  I would be a major detriment to the people around me if I lost my glasses in combat.

I'm sure other avenues will open up for you United .