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Worried anout problems

by SavannahStorm, Aug 21, 2007 12:00AM
I was wondering if you can join the army,navy,military or anything along the lines if you have any type of diabetes what so ever. Could you be drafted if you have diabetes or even have chance of going to the army or anything along those lines? Please be honest and tell me everything you know.

by JDRF-VOL-RL, Aug 21, 2007 12:00AM
Hello, Savannah.  First of all, there is no draft, so there is no chance of you being drafted, even if you don't have diabetes.

Currently diabetes is an immediate disqualifying factor from induction (draft), appointment (to a military academy), or enlistment, without an approved waiver.  You can apply for a waiver to get in, or even stay in, and people have been successful in that quest.  Troops have developed diabetes after enlisting, and have been successful in getting their waver approved, allowing them to remain in the military.
Member Comments (6)

by astro125, Aug 21, 2007 12:00AM
i think you could choose to do whatever you want, but if you are drafted they would put you in a "easier work area" such as in computers, doctors, or engineering unless you request to be put in a certain place, in that case they can not deny you do to diabetes

by Markiea, Aug 22, 2007 12:00AM
You can not go to a combat zone if you are insulin dependant, but you can be in the military with diabetes as long as it is kept under control. if not, it can be grounds for medical discharge.

by Larry68, Aug 22, 2007 12:00AM
As a Type 1, I was classified 1Y in the 60's (office work), but that soon was changed to 4F (not able to serve in  any capacity). I do not expect that with, or without, a draft, any diabetic will have an easy time getting in to the military if they choose to try. And  involuntary draft is very unlikely (at least for us).

by JDRF-VOL-RL, Aug 22, 2007 12:00AM
Markiea, that's not true any more.  dLife profiled a sergeant who developed diabetes after enlisting, and who is currently in Iraq.  They wouldn't let him wear his pump, he had to do shots, but he is there.

Waivers for diabetes have been granted, but they are few and far between.

by JDRF-VOL-SG, Aug 22, 2007 12:00AM
If a person has diabetes that is already diagnosed,it is very unlikely for any branch of military to accept that person. But if diabetes is diagnosed after already being in the military, the situations are handled on a case-by-case basis, as far as I know. My husband is an Air Force personnel officer, and this is what he told me about the Air Force.
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