Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: United on September 06, 2004, 01:46:45 AM
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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?
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what if in combat you lost the ability to get insulin?
mostly that stuff needs to be refrigerated, and in the heat of battle, can it be redily available, or can't be administered at a regular interval WITH food.
if not, there is an inoperable soilder, who needs immediate medical attention, and can detriment the current mission.
thats off the top of my head, and i have no medical experiance, not military experiance, but have 2 relatives diabetic.
if they can't do their insulin, AND eat at regual intervals, then the can go into diabetic shock, and possibly seisures.
<> sir for being willing to help your country, ther is just some things that can not be helped. i hope you can find another way that appeases you, and fits yuor goals.
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My doctor has said that I can keep my insulin unrefridgerated for about a month at a time.
I am on the insulin pump, so I only need to access my insulin once every three days. When I do need to refil, it takes me at most 30 seconds to do.
Yes, food may be an issue. But, since I am on the pump, I can eat any time I want. I do eat on a regular schedule, but i have been told by a doctor that I can miss almost a day's worth of food without worry.
I can easily carry 2-3 weeks of Diabetic supplies in a case no larger than a cargo-pant pocket. So space on a uniform for supplies would be almost no sweat.
<> sir for being willing to help your country, ther is just some things that can not be helped. i hope you can find another way that appeases you, and fits yuor goals.
Thank you. I did ask about a non-combat job, like a desk job or even a telephone operator for a recruiting office, but was even denied that. So, I guess my future doesnt lie in military service...
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Originally posted by United
Thank you. I did ask about a non-combat job, like a desk job or even a telephone operator for a recruiting office, but was even denied that. So, I guess my future doesnt lie in military service...
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.
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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.
I guess there always is the possibility, but what is the probability? Im sure there are hundreds, maybe thousands of other Diabetics willing to serve as well. I don't see where the military would want to deny this extra force of volunteers. But then again, I dont know much about the military and how it works, either. :D
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.
I dont know if you still have it or not, but I'd definately see a doctor. I too have a fear of needles, but it's easy to get over it when your life hangs in the line. Trust me, you dont want to die of something that can easily be fixed. :)
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I knew active duty soldiers that were diabetics and gave themselves insulin injections. Maybe they weren't diabetics when they joined? Dunno.
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How long ago was it when you knew these people? I believe this rule is a fairly new one..?
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It was in the 90s, and I don't remember if it was type I DM or not.
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Contact your local Congressman, It is hisor her Job to defend your rights and get you answers, He will represet you and no cost to you. And Get you in touch with those who can answer your questions.
Be polite and to the point.
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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.
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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.
Im on an insulin pump, so I am constantly receiving insulin. If I were flying a plane, it would still pump just like a human pancreas.
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United, we aren't talking about how great of a soldier you are. We're talking about what happens when the **** hits the fan. Expect the unexpected. And yes, if you do run out of insulin, all those around you are in trouble.
Now, we aren't saying you will run out of insulin. Nor are we saying you have run out of insulin before. We are saying "If" you run out of insulin.
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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.
You should go back and debate this with the recruiter, it will impress him and you will be flying in no time.
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yes, take the fight back to the recruiter. i feel (IMO) that there are plenty of jobs that you can do that will not put you into hazardous situations. for example "aircraft maintenance". my brother was told that he could never fly because he had to wear glasses. even with the new heads up display that doesnt require good sight he was rejected. so he decided since he couldnt fly them why not fix them. he went on to be one of the top F16 crew chiefs. the worst assignment that he ever faced was going to Osan AFB Korea. He lived GOOD there (better than i did up north). good luck in your mission.
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united never trust one single recruiter. some are good some are bad. insulin pump might not be approved for new recruit but they might not want to chuck a fifteen years in service great nco over one. i did some time helping recruiter and you can bet recruiters were asked things they didnt know about. they arent doctors. good ones went looking for answer if they thought potential recruit was worth the effort. call some other recruiters. if you want to be pilot call officer recruiters. ask them about insulin pump and ask them for contact who is meps doctor or flight surgeon maybe thats where you will get best answer. they might not like insulin pump because what if you are forward deployed and it fails? rpm371 has point in military they need to worry about possible effect on who you working with.
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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.
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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.
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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. :D
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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.
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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.
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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. :aok
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Bottom line..Military takes almost NO people with any health issues...There are waivers for minor stuff..Military does not consider diabetes minor..
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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(?)?
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Are you hinting at something rafe? ;)
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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 .
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Originally posted by Estes
Are you hinting at something rafe? ;)
"You're in bad shape, son! Run over to your house, get your stuff together, and be back in 2 minutes ready for the ambulance!" :D
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I asked a recruiter I know and here is what he told me, non-verbatim:
You can't be in because you can only bring to basic a few things that they allow you to. Insulin is not on this list. If you can't get through basic without it, you can't join.
But hey on trying bud. If you want to help out the war effort, maybe work for an armaments factory or something along those lines? Just as necessary and noble IMO.