Joining A Service In the Military!!

[Type 1 Diebet]

I am a Type 1 diabetic and am 19 years old. My dream as a kid was allways to be in sometype of military service. With my disease the U.S. for some reason does not give a damn about my service. Now from reading what the military has said about diabetics I see where they are going with it. But what if they could set up a Unit or Division that was strictly for diabetics. I am damn, in the civil war all the way to WW2 they split the races up like spanish and black units. Why cant they split up and make a type 1 diabetic unit!!! If anyone else is fighting for U.S. Military Service or Has Advice please RESPOND!

[JDRF-Team-sgg]

I have heard from other young adults who were disappointed because they were not allowed to join the military, and I understand your concerns and your anger. However, as a type 1 diabetic spouse of an Air Force officer, I know the policies well, and actually agree with them.

Any person who joins the Active Duty forces MUST be able to be deployed to any region at all wtihout thought of whether they can have their medical supplies shipped safely to this region. The military cannot accept anyone who is unable to live in tough condtions, possibly WITHOUT medications. While even the most remote camps do have a medic available, shipping supplies in war areas can be unreliable, and they cannot be responsible for your life if a vial of insulin is broken and no replacement is available or if you become separated from your medical supplies by battle or capture. Also, if you are high or low and not at the top of your physical abilities, your inability to function at maximum potential could endanger the lives of your buddies in a war situation, for during a battle. In the heat of things, the carbs you need to balance insulin may just not be available when you need them. If low, you may not have access to juice or candy that you sorely need to regain your optimum strength and coordination. This becomes not just a matter of convenience, but a matter of life and death, not only for you, but for those who count on you to help keep them out of harm's way.

Here is my suggestion: MANY of the jobs that used to be Active Duty positions have been outsourced these days and made into civilian jobs. These jobs are open to diabetics as well as anyone else. I personally have held a civilian job, creating animations and graphics for pilot training courseware for the AIr Force, and can speak firsthand about the satisfaction of doing this kind of work that has a direct bearing on the welfare of our military. You can find out what kinds of civilian jobs are available by going to the web site of any military base.

You and I both know that with our insulin, we are as strong and active as anyone else, but the very fact that this insulin is needed to keep us alive is not negotiable with any armed services. But, being married to a military guy for 25 years, I have seen first-hand how many military slots are now civilian, for outsourcing is the way the military has been able to function with its still huge job while numbers are being cut. I would go to the nearest military base's Human Resources Office and see what is available in the way of civilian employment. I think you will be surprised in a good way. Pay and benifits are usually good, and these civilian contract companies are eager to have employees who want to put their energies into being a partner to the military Active Duty forces.

Sometimes we need to be flexible enough to find our dreams where our dreams present themselves rather than being unhappy if doors close in areas where we think we would be most satisified. I do wish you the very best in finding the right spot for you.

[Type 1 Diebet]

Ok OK so they dont want to put up with a diabetics liablity factor. But what about hospital military jobs and facility jobs in the state. I mean i would be happy doing the least common military job just to be in. I see that i am stuggling with a dead end subject but just seem like someone could do somethign and change the military. The military over the years has allways evolved from its original guidelines and protocols and seems to me they could spend some time and figure this out!

[JDRF Team SGG]

Those non-combat jobs are just what I am talking of being outsourced so much nowadays. As a case in point, my husband, a colonel, has a BOSS who is a civilian! Truly you should check out the civilian side of the military, for many of the jobs that were active duty jobs just a few years ago are now civilian jobs. OK, so they don't wear the uniform. But it is hard for me to believe that the uniform is your sole reason for wanting to do this. I would like to hope that your main reason is the mission of service to our nation. Civilian guys are now repairing airplanes, doing hospital work, doctoring most of us in the military (very few of our doctors are actually active duty now), handling the support operations, communications offices, etc. I have personally known two civilians whose jobs were the same as that of a squadron commander -- these guys had replaced the active duty squadron commanders! So they had active duty folks working under them. Odd, I know. But that's the way the structure is these days. At our last base, over a thousand jobs were civilian jobs instead of military, and the active duty military forces were actually the minority of folks working on the base. DO check it out. The military as a whole is now a real team effort between the few active duty folks we are allowed by budget and the civilian folks who do the jobs that used to be military jobs.

[Type 1 Diebet]

OK OK so I see your alternative. But see i dont want to work as a normal civilian with military personel. Thats just plain boring and  yes part of me being in the military is getting the uniform gaining ranks serving the country as a Military personel instead of a wanabe who because of medical issues has to be a helper of the military just for the money and no honor or service!! I dont know I see how its a dead end but i wish just before i turn like 25 i could become a part of the U.S. military team.

[Diabetic_Reality]

Well - unfortunately, that is the way it is.  The military requires healthy, able bodied men and women.  They do not want to have to be concerned about special needs when you have to be deployed at a minute's notice.  I come from an Air Force and Army military family - I know first hand.

Diabetes, like any other lifelong chronic health condition, will exclude you from active military service. (Forget about getting a private or commerical pilot's license too - Diabetes is on the FAA's physical exam's list of disqualifications.)  It stinks, it makes you feel like a non contributor .... but someone else will have to stand on the wall and defend you.

And this is not just in the United States ....

Was reading recently at pumpers.org where a Royal Canadian Air Force Officer / Fighter Pilot went to his base hospital with the classic symptoms of frequent urination and thirst.  The base doctor told him the bad news that he was DM Type 1.  Pilot goes .... "but I'm a Pilot!"  The doctor goes, "Your *were* a pilot, now you're a Type 1 diabetic."  He served the rest of commission behind a desk and was discharged.

There are many civilian jobs in the military though, equally or more important than shouldering a weapon.  But - if you're after a stripe on your shoulder, the reality is, they (those who would be your fellow soldiers) don't want you out there with them.  You're a liability and liabilities can get them killed.

:^(

[type1betic]

Hello I think i might be able to help you. I to am about to run into the same problem.
first of all id like to start by saying that any one who says that you CAN NOT do something is on crack and should go jump off a cliff because that is the biggest lie i have ever herd.

Im a 16 year old diabetic (2 years in) and my dad is a navy recruiter. my entire family is in the navy or army so u can see why i was disapointed when i found this small bit of info out. since then i have been composing a letter to the president to fight our case. I strongly suggest doing the same. I would like to get a group of people like us to fight this.

[Corrada]

I wanted to be in the Special Forces but I can't .I found out of my type 1 a week before I turned 18 I had the same hopes as u Bro. But I think working at base and (If I can) work at the armory that be awsome. I just hope that in the future they change the rules.

[ARMY_STRONG]

im a 16 year old diabetic and have been since i was 5. my dream is to be an officer in the u.s. army.my uncle who is a major in the army says thet they might get a waiver for it soon. but not gaurunteed.... i say for real that we fight it..if gay people can tote a m-16 in combat and manage i think we can to.. yall just please dont give up, im not. because i am truly ARMY STRONG. i come from an army family to, so.... lets get something going guys for real, because i want to retire from the army as a 2 star general and im gona make it happen....HOOAHHH

[jwwolfe]

hey, i've been a type one since i was 2 years old, i am now 29 and still in better shape than most everyone i know. The lifestyle choices and lives we live make it harder for us to enjoy everyday life, but make us stronger and able to resist the little temptations a bit better. I tried when i turned 18 to join any and all of the services, and it was a no go, i tried once again at 23, and again at 27. They just don't want people that are health liabilities. No matter how healthy we keep ourselves, no matter how able-bodied we are, and no matter how strong we are. The truth of the matter is, they don't want the ones that could die at a moments notice.....strange huh. I always wanted to be a pilot, can't even do that in civilian life. I heard about a research project a year ago that had cured 14 out of 20 people with type 1 diabetics, i wrote to them and asked if i could be a guinea pig. I was turned down because i can still feel the symptoms when my bs gets down under 70. CRAP. Ever notice how there are all these research studies that target type 2, but not so many for the ones that really need it? If the military could just invest a little money into actually helping us, maybe there would be a far greater amount of recruits.

[diabeticwhownts2bamarine]

What I guess I just don't get, Is why can't we even have a dang uniform, and work over sease on a base as a medic or something in the millitary, Or be in an office recruiting...I'm not excited by the civilian life for it is a way of making money and not serving my country. My dad was in the USAF for 10years, and both of my grandfathers were in the Army and I have 3 cousins in the Marines, It disapoints me to see the fact that so many people who ARE willing to serve OUR country cannot. I do see where the US is going with us not being able to join, But why can't we be medics or something on a green base if you not what I mean. I want to be in the marines, and that is my goal in life. I think I stand a good chance being the fact that they say they have discovered a cure and should have it out in the next 2 - 10 years. (I'm 13.) I'll be out of HS. I think I could wait a little bit to join the Marines if it meant thats what I'd have to do to be a marine. :-) But what gets me is it makes me sad that some people in their late 20's, Who want to be in the millitary wont ever get that great oportunity.....

[penny2425]

I am a veteran of the Navy and was discharged when they discovered I had type I diabetes after two years of service.  I wish I could have stayed and finished my career, but instead am labeled "disabled" (which I'm not, I'm in better health now then ever!).  I understand the policies, but why can't we serve State side???  That way we have access to our medication AND can serve our Country!

[ryanb1307]

Hello all,

I am 21 years old and am in the Air National Guard. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in November 09 one month before my ship date to basic. I have been fighting to stay in and am still going through this super long and frustrating process. The Air Force surprisingly is trying to work with me to let me stay in and my advice to all of you in the same situation is to fight for it. I have had to go before an officer for a medical review and they had me go and get an EKG test as well as an eye exam beforehand and bring the results to the review. Everything turned out alright with those tests and I am currently waiting to hear back as they are trying to get me through on a waiver. From what I've gathered from all this is that it really depends on what type of job you have and how badly the military needs people for those jobs. My job is a crew chief and it is a high demand job so from my understanding the military is willing to bend the rules to fit their needs. Unfortunately if you have type 1 before enlisting it's impossible to join any branch. Hopefully my situation works out but I'm not getting my hopes up. Good luck to all of you trying to serve our country with this disease!

[kings11]

I'm 17 almost 18.years old and.iv always wanted to join the navy. When I was a little kid I would always tell people that was my dream. And ever since iv gotten Type 1 everything has been crushed for me I believe a petition or letter to the president would be an excellent idea. Just cause we take insulin to survive doesn't make any of us diffrent. And I would proudly sighn my name on a piece of paper to the president!!!

[spenny96]

Im only 14 and have had diabetes for almost 6 years. I think it is wrong not to let diabetics fight for OUR country! its ********! (pardon my language). I think that the army should get a bunch of diabetics with low bloodsugar so we are super cranky and violent and put us un the middle of somalia so we can kick some ***!

[rossy_123]

i am a type 1 diabetic... my dream has always been to join the military. British or U.S, but evidently i am puzzled as i have been told that i cant join... i don't mind what job but as long as its related to the military i am happy... i would be a military lawyer, a desk job in the military, ect, i just want to be issued in a military job... has anybody got any ideas ??? or information ??? thank you.

[paladinecho]

I am a type 1 diabetic. Diagnosed 3 years ago in the Marine Corps after under 8 years of service. Got TDRL and currently fighting their rating system atm. I can understand their reasoning for not allowing it, however there are jobs they have that can keep you in the office and not overseas.  Doing Infantry I know that your gear has the potential to get caught on anything.  Just walking through the door the other day I had the insulin pump cord snag on the doorknob and snatched right out of my leg.  Also I have that neuropathy thing where you can't tell your blood sugar sometimes even when it hits 30 or goes up to 3XX or 5XX.  Nothing fun about that. Other complications on top of the type 1 as well, but you have to be careful. Im just hoping it wasn't a certain vaccine that has recently been being mentioned about that has been the trigger. Doc at a Naval Hospital was saying he ran into about 30 cases of the same thing with a common trend.

[brandonhorstman]

i was gonna be a pilot im 15 and my a1c is 6.3 so fudge the government

[Reaper723]

i would be super down to make a SF Type 1 unit!!! on my med eval for spec ops i was told i was type 1. crushed me. its been two years i still train. i just watch my friends throw there opportunity to join away, knowing full well what i would give to just have that opportunity again!

[Reaper723]

i would be super down to make a SF Type 1 unit!!! on my med eval for spec ops i was told i was type 1. crushed me. its been two years i still train. i just watch my friends throw there opportunity to join away, knowing full well what i would give to just have that opportunity again!

[megan2282]

HELP MAKE A CHANGE, AND SPREAD THE WORD!

http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-department-of-defense-allow-diabetics-to-serve-in-non-combat-positions-in-the-military

[Militaryanddiabetes]

I have type 1 diabetes.  Iam currently in the military. I have had diabetes since the age of 9 and I am 23 years old. I am in the Ohio Military Reserves. It is a State level military that supports the national guard. It is a volinteer unit and we only get paid if we are activated. Mt life long drea mwas to serve in the United States Army. My father was active duty, and I was born on a military base. I can trace my family back in the military to the revolutionary war. So the military is a big importance in my life. I found that since the Ohio military reserve(A State Defense Forse) is volinteer they are more opt to accepting ones with a little disadvantage. This is my ticket to serve the peopel of this county and state. What a better way to serve then in your own back yard  for your state? Yuo cannot go overseas but it is a very ACTIVE and IMPORTANT mission. If any one has any questions about this please contact me at ***@**** and put State defense force as subject. Not many diabetics know about this, I didnt for years and thought my dreams were crushed! But I have found a way to be in the Military and want to pass it along! or you can text me at 4408583892

[midnight_sniper]

I beleive there was a case were a marine who was diagnosed while he was still enlisted was allowed to return to active duty because he had an insulin pump.

[Pooney_Roondilla]

Okay, I have to admit preemptively that I haven't read the entire thread of this discussion but I have a couple of points to make on this subject.
1) The technologies available to and passion of the individual diabetes make it far more likely that an issue would occur.  Pumps, insulin pens, etc. all make things rather easy.
2) The benefit of having some of these people would far out weigh the cost and liability factors.  Having a polyglot with a background in psychology, physical medicine, and great scores on all standardized tests is far more likely to be an asset and potentially save more lives than would cost the U.S. Government to take care of a soldier and his/her family lost to complications of war and a medical condition.
3) This idea of being a civilian and working for the military is something that many people continue to throw out at diabetics and it's maddening.  Being a civilian in the military is difficult to get into and the resources and availability is limited if it even exists.  The requirements, including experience are nearly unattainable without serious help.  This includes but isn't limited to having paid for an education (that the gov't would pay for in the military), getting an internship, often unpaid and in larger cities (unpaid means second job with very flexible hours that somehow pays enough for the higher cost of living in that area), and then getting the job and working it for a couple of years before attempting to contact someone in the services to get a job there (which often times are given to civilians with prior service in the military, aka veterans).

These issues create a serious problem for diabetics and a very serious amount of frustration.

Our medical treatments for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus are progressing and so then should our requirements of and limitations towards those afflicted progress.  Being given enough supplies to last for a 9 month deployment is not difficult, nor is it all that large of a quantity for most and would fit easily in a pocket without creating an issue in the field.

Does this mean that there shouldn't be some restrictions?  Of course not.  Being an infantryman, or a pilot, would probably not be a good idea because you are much more likely to have issues.  However, being deployed should rarely be a problem for other positions and so should be given consideration.

Diabetics should definitely not be disqualified from entering at the recruiting office.  These decisions should follow the physical examination with great consideration of job requirements and personal information.

I say, if you can get through basic, you can get through a deployment and if you can't get through basic, well, be it diabetes or lack of physical/mental stamina, then you go home with the non-diabetics alike.

[DogFighter]

I agree with you. we really need to do something about this. I wish i knew who to talk to. I have written letters to my state senate, and to the president. I feel like i am being swept a side, and it only makes me more determined. I speak not only for myself but for all of you.