Military Discrimination

[TShelton]

I am 22 years old and currently attending the University of
Georgia.  My entire life I have wanted to serve in the
military and protect my country.  Unfortunately, I am an
insulin dependent diabetic.  I am in perfect health and
physically fit.  I have no complications after having this
disease for over 17 years.  No branch of the military will
allow me to enlist due to the fact that I am a diabetic.  
Considering I am perfectly able to do anything that the
military requires, I think this is extremely unfair and
unjust.  I certainly understand why they would not want a
diabetic to fill a combat position, but there are numerous
non-combat positions that a diabetic could fill.  I feel that
this is a very blatent example of discrimination.  I would
very much appreciate anyone who could give me some advice on
some options I might have to fight this.  I could certainly
use a helping hand in this situation.

[Corow]

Guys go to the department of defense site (DOD) an put in your request, i'll bet you, if we get enough guys say something things will change

[Shylina]

I am reading your comment about siding with the military that you think diabetics should not be allowed in the military and i think you are totally ridiculous. My son is a Type 1 diabetic and i am doing research because he wants to go into the military. I cannot believe that they won't allow diabetics in the military. As long as they have the pump they would be fine. Our government and people like you are really messed up!

[Arutimishia]

Hello,

I'm not an American citizen but still a person who wants to serve his country. I'm from The Netherlands and i got diagnosed with type 1 in 2009. It came out while i was having my medical check for the military. I passed every test till they tested my urine, which  showed high levels of sugar. After being send to my local docter to do a full blood test it was sure i had developed type 1 diabetes. After he send the results of my test to the medic staff that handled my application i was send a letter, explaining that i was not allowed to join active duty because i could be a risk if they could not supply the insulin needed.

Now i'm a fit person and i have my diabetes under control. I inject insuline 3 times a-day (1 is a 24 hour insulin that has to be done every day, the other 2 are a short working type and can be used if you eat too many carbs -> Snacks and so on) I can easily live with the 24 hour shot once a day if i move around.

I really agree with FellowT1 his post. Some of us do not need to inject much insuline to have a normal blood sugar. exercising can help keep our blood sugar regular and stay in shape for our positions should they give us a chance.

Reading some of the posts places here brought my hope up and i'll keep fighting to make them give us diabetics a chance to serve.

[metal530]

I am in the army and have been for almost 8 years.  my dad recently got diagnosed with diabetes and i recently showed some possible symptoms of diabetes. my dad decided to test my BG and i came up extremly high so when i get back from my 2 weeks leave from iraq i am going to ask the military to test me.  I will let you all know what they do to a 3 time iraq vet while he is deployed with diabetes.

[Ericulous]

The fact that citizens with diabetes cannot participate in war does seem to be discriminative. However, when looked at logically, the chances of type I diabetic even surviving basic PT would not seem likely. How are you going to be able to sustain your blood sugar without the proper sustenance at hand?? Diabetes is a complex disease that requires the constant monitoring and adjustment of blood sugar. Marines are purposefully starved and deprived of nutrition to condition their bodies for the lack of when the time comes. Food is always limited. Supplies are always limited.
If a "type I diabetic" marine, were behind enemy lines and, unexpectedly, a situation occurred the rendered you without medication, you'd better pray to God some support comes in within the next five hours or so....the support which had to be called in due on your own personal problem separate from mission. And by God you haven't even caught a bullet yet. lol
In layman's terms you'd be considered more of a hindrance to the mission, not an asset.
I have been type I diabetic for over 13 years. To my knowledge, it is medically impossible for a diabetic to physically and mentally push his/her limits without the proper medicinal assistance.
The American Police Force, however, does allow Type I diabetics to act as officers because they do not guarantee that an officer will ever see such hostile action that would separate the individual from his/her medication..............

[hillman216]

i am a type 1 diabetic i have had it since i was 9 and am now turnng 20 i have always wanted to serve my country i have always been in shape my whole life and have been turend down by over 15 recruters. what i dont understand most people are woried about our blood going low all they have to do is give us a couple eppe pens that bring your blood up in a matter or minutes and most people can tell when they are getting low before it is dangerous ley low i thnk that they are just afaride we will out work all of the i guess yyou could call them normal people lol but i am never going to quite trying to get in if any of you have any information on how to get in email me ***@**** fell free to write whatever.
always consinder yourself unstopable.