Military Enlistment?

[Padams]

Hello everyone!

I have one quick question; my insomnia has been set to max this week.

I am a 19 year old college student who loves the military. I come from a military family and have always felt the need to serve and protect the homeland. Now, with my official diagnosis of CD, would I be able to join the Air Force? My dad, who served, said that most likely the Air Force and any branch of the military would not offer support, ie special GF meals for me.

I know that you all may not have an answer, but I am really just venting because I am upset witht the fact that I may not be able to fulfill my lifelong dream.

Thanks!
-Patrick
_________________
Patrick
06/14/05
I love Danna Korn

[MaineFyrman]

Patrick,

If and when you go and see the recruiter just remember they are going to tell you anything that you want to hear just to get you enlisted. You may want to speak to someone very high up on the command chain as go indepth with what is wrong with you.

If you do enlist make sure you get someone up on the chain to sign a contract to let you out of the military if for some reason you get ill.

Make sure when you go to the recruiter you also bring along your medical records showing your diagnosis

Good Luck
Steve

[Guest]

Hi Patrick,

I don't have an "offical" answer...but I think I've seen (just recently too)...that the military may not take you.

I'm not finding much right now...I did find this. It's not an answer...but it does discuss some things.

http://www.montanaceliacsociety.com/newsletter.htm

Celiac Disease and the Military

by Captain John Himberger USA Air Force

from Lifeline, CSA/USA Summer 2003

Since the late 1800s, the medical community has recognized celiac disease. But not until recently has it begun to gain favor among professionals. Several factors contribute to the improved recognition and identification of celiac disease--continued development of countries with wider distribution of grain agriculture patterns, an increased incidence of food aid and humanitarian needs and the population's demands for a stable food supply. (Let us include the factor of increased education of the medical community by activist groups around the country that include medical experts and paitents, whose advocacy has greatly increased recognition of CD. GFFs Editor)

As a result, within the civilian community there is a conglomerate of 16 labs working in synergism to understand disease patterns and treatment regimes. Although celiacs can be treated relatively quickly with lifestyle changes, military members and their families face difficult challenges.

More than any other military in the world, our forces are expected to go any where at any time to enforce policy or engage in conflict as necessary. This mandates a rapid deployment force that requires a fast supply of pre-packaged equipment and food. All this food contains gluten.

Many assignments are isolated and far from medical facilities that can help support the management of celiac disease. The US Armed Forces could potentially face a quandary of an already shrinking force with the increasing medical occurrence of celiac disease, in both military members and their families.

The Armed Forces varies its policy on individuals with medical conditions depending on the mission and the branch of service. Although the definition of "fit to deploy" is relatively variable, many presentations are not well defined and many are considered disabling.

Once the diagnosis of celiac disease is determined, officials must decide whether the individual will be retained in the military or released to the civilian community.

If the individual has been a productive member of the military for several years, he or she...is more likely to be retained.

When making decisions about retention or separation, officials also consider the type of function an individual performs. No occupation is exempt from celiac disease. The Armed Forces is more likely to make accommodations, such as limiting duty assignments or assigning temporary duty. Currently there are six persons on active duty in the Air Force with a category limiting code for celiac disease, gluten intolerance or gluten-free diet. More have likely been released, but there was no specific statistical information available. It has been reported that there is an individual on active duty for the Navy as well. Generally speaking, the Army and Marines maintain tighter medical standards and would not tolerate the restrictions of celiac disease on active duty.

What of a military family member diagnosed with celiac disease? It is relatively easy to contract out services to treat the disease because families are covered by the military's health insurance. So treatment and diagnosis of the family member becomes manageable, depending on the knowledge of CD in the local community.

"The Exceptional Family Member Program," the result of a Department of Defense directive, ensures better whole family care.

Currently, the Armed Forces provide adequate programs to evaluate and treat military members and their families with celiac disease. But with the increasing incidence and recognition of celiac disease, the system may become taxed and inefficient. Adapting programs as necessary to meet these demands (will) ensure services to celiacs and their families while providing a healthy and fit force.

[Guest]

OK - I think we're going in the right direction...

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/intmedstandards.htm

[aklap]

That was me above


I found the Intestinal malabsorption syndroms in the Abdominal & Gastro Section of the disqualifying medical conditions.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/intmedstandards.htm

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/abdominal.htm


(3) Intestinal malabsorption syndromes, including postsurgical and idiopathic (579).

If they consider CD a malabsorption issue (which it is), it does not look good. Sorry Patrick. But - take heart - this information could be wrong!! Certainly a recruiter would tell you the medical requirements, but then again, they can be kind of shady. I think Steve is correct - get every thing in writing! Cross your T's and dot your i's.

Let us know the "offical" answer when you find it!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[GONIA]

HI !
I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT AN ANSWER BUT ...
I WORK FOR THE GFP AND WE ARE SHIPPING GF FOOD TO APO ADDRESSES ALL THE TIME.
I GUESS SOLDIERS OUT THERE HAVE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN FOOD IF THEY WANT TO STAY HEALTHY .
I THINK THEY HAD TO INFORM THE COOK ( THEY ARE ORDERING MIXES ALSO SO I AM THINKING SOMEONE IS BAKING FOR THEM )
HOPE THAT HELPS

[Guest]

Hi everyone!

Thanks to all who replied! I recently talked to a recruiter who confirmed my fears. I would not be accepted into the military. I was in a state of shock and went to my grandfather who was a General in the Air Force for a second opinion. He, too, said that I would not be accepted due the to fact that my disease is a malabosorption syndrome and requires such a specifc diet that they may not be able to help me out all the time. It is not worth the risk nor the money for them.

I guess I can always volunteer at the Red Cross or the Armed Forces Hospital here in Omaha.

Again, thank you all to who replied!

-Patrick

[MaineFyrman]

Patrick,

Don't let this affect how you live the rest of your life. I understand that the Military was a tradition in your family and it will be hard for you not doing things that you want to do.

There are other jobs out there that are similar to the Military, Police, or Fire. I have been a fulltime Firefighter for 20 years and it is a rewarding job at times.

Just rememer to keep a positive attitude and you will succeed in whatever you want to do

[aklap]

Sorry Patrick!

Ditto what Steve said. I know you will find other ways to serve and make your family (and yourself) proud!!!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[biodiesel]

Patrick don't be too upset, instead use that drive that you would have in the millitary to make a difference in the civillian world.
You mentioned the Red Cross, good option. What are you planning career wise? There are a lot of civillian organizations that don't care about Celiac. Police, Fire, Emergency Medicine all options that have strong traditions and many of the same good attributes as a millitary career.

On a side note, i'm an older Celiac, diagnosed a few years ago. I've been out of the Army Reserve for a couple years and just got papers in the mail asking me to report for possible activation. I was diagnosed while inactive and by a private MD. I know the Army and suspect they will want ten forms of paper and color glossy photos of my intestines with circles and arrows on them and paragraphs on the back describing each one... any info on what paperwork they'll ask me for?

[WRowland]

Patrick, I feel your pain. It seems unfair, I know. Just thought I'd share my story.

My family walked into Kentucky with Daniel Boone in the 1700's and have served proudly in every war since. There are so many purple hearts, bronze and silver stars, Congressional Medals of Honor, and Presidental Commendations in the family that we could build our own museum. Both my mother and father served at West Point. My mother's service made history as one of the first squad of WAC's to every serve at West Point. Two of my cousins are generals at the Pentagon. One of their offices was demolished on 9/11. The other is currently serving as special assistant to General Franks, who is commander of the forces in Iraq. My husband and son are both veterans.

I tried to enlist, AFTER I had two bachelor's degrees, and three medical licenses, and 10 years of supervisory and college level teaching experience. I was rejected, due to a congenital vision problem. It would have needed an act of Congress to wave my rejection, which I could have gotten, nevertheless.

But, as others suggested, I began to think of how I might serve, elsewhere. As a military brat, who saw so much of what is needed to support those who serve, I became willing to accept my situation.

I have served all my military family for 25 years in the Veterans Hospital System. I could have made a great deal more money, and enjoyed less 'red tape', etc. elsewhere. But I know that I have had a major impact on the care of so many.

Find the silver lining, there will be one !!!

[biodiesel]

On the bright side... i talked to a liason officer and Celiac disease not only is a bar to enlistment but will keep me from deploying. I'm an ex-reservist whose been out for a couple years but they sent me a "Voluntary Deployment" letter. (Voluntary with 30 days to reply by law isn't exactly voluntary... (and was about to become manditory...)

Don't get me wrong... a part of me want's to be with the rest of the green and doing my part. But the smarter part is glad not to get pulled back and sent to Iraq.

Well, luckilly the Red Cross dosn't mind. If i show up with a big ziplock of Meal replacement/ protien powder and tell them that i can maintain my own needs if pushed or will suffer no acute problems if pushed to it (MRE's arn't safe but i'd eat them if there's nothing else...) then they'll still deploy me. Won't hit the current season but next year should be ready to roll.