Just wondering....

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Permalink Reply by Maddy on December 20, 2009 at 4:55pm

Yes. I suppose i could. I have recruiters come to my school a lot. I just havn't gotten to talk to them quite yet.

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on December 20, 2009 at 8:35am

I'm a type 1 for 42 years, and I had a career in computers working for the Dept of Defense. I worked for the Navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.

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Permalink Reply by Maddy on December 20, 2009 at 4:54pm

so i would still be able to work on base?? :D

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on December 21, 2009 at 9:33am

yes, you'd be a civilian working with a government job. oh, I also worked at Henderson Hall, the HQ for the Marines. I was working for companies that got contracts with the government, and we worked side-by-side with uniformed service people and government employees. I worked on some pretty interesting systems, like one for the Trident nuclear submarines.

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Permalink Reply by Marps on December 21, 2009 at 9:39am

Hi Maddy

I bet that if you argued enough, they would let you in. There are a lot of out-dated information out there for type 1s. We used to be so restricted on everything. But, now that we have better medications and pumps and CGMs, many places that used to say "no" are now saying "well, if you do this and this and this, then okay."

Scuba diving, for example used to be HELL NO, but now if we monitor closely, we are allowed to go.
Same for flying airplanes.

Try and see what happens.
I know only five years ago it was still NO for the Army branch. It was too much of a risk the recruiter told me, being insulin dependent- With the possibilities of extreme heat; What if the vial broke? What if I went into shock while on the infantry line? What if I ran out of syringes? What if I got shot- infections are slow to heal?

But, it wont hurt to ask. :)

Thank you for your interest in serving our country, no matter what the outcome, Maddy.

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Permalink Reply by FatCatAnna on December 21, 2009 at 9:59am

Yeah Maddy - I second what Marps has said here. Never EVER let having diabetes stop you from following your dreams. If you don't ask you'll never know :)
BTW, just came up with this link - lots to read (and some interesting things) - but this might help you before you give the recruiting office a call - http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_step07_DQ_medical,,00.html

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Permalink Reply by Maddy on December 22, 2009 at 9:17pm

Thanks very much!!! Wow. Some of that is kinda shocking!!

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Permalink Reply by Maddy on December 22, 2009 at 9:15pm

So did you try and join a branch too?? I have marine recruiters come to my school alot also air force andnavy. In fact I have a really close friend inthe marines. He was a senior my freshman year and we got pretty close as friends. He came back totheschool and said he would talk to bs recruiter and have him do whatever he could to have me join. So hopefully all works out. What's the worst that can happen?? They say no and I end up working on base lol that's not that bad. Also I decided I want to marry into themilitary..(not any time soonthough lol)

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Permalink Reply by Maddy on December 22, 2009 at 9:18pm

This reply was for marps lol sorry

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Permalink Reply by Marps on December 23, 2009 at 7:00am

My fiance was in the Army. His father was in the Marines and the Navy. My brother was in the National Guard and my grandparents were all in wars within the Service. I have always loved this country and strongly respect those who fight for what we have. No matter the branch and no matter the way that they serve. Since I was told no on numerous occasions (this was a few years ago, tho) I had decided to serve my country through other means, like through my creativity in my band or through my writing- trying to spread happy feelings to complete strangers- through kindness.

may sound lame, but it's the best that I can figure to do right now.
I would be no good to the service in my current condition anyway- A1c I just barely in the 8s. MDI.

But, honestly, it's is really really hard to be a military wife. The shows make it all glamorous and stuff, but when they are gone and all you've got is one measely letter every few days (that they probably had to sneak just to write to you) and then when they get home and you have to get re-acquainted again because you've figured out how to survive without them around for so long... it's really hard. A lot of tears.

But, other than that, military men do tend to be more respectful and very strong men. I have such high respect for them. Truly. I just want to hug every single one that passes me on the street. The sacrifices that they give...

[stepping down from soap box]

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Permalink Reply by Maddy on December 24, 2009 at 11:18pm

yeah... i know how hard it is .. my uncle is in the military and my best friends dad (whom is like my dad also) is in the navy... but i feel like if i can't join the least i can do is support my husband. you know what i mean? (not that im saying im going to get married anytime soon because im SO not.)
and if you don't mind me asking.. you said your fiance was in the army? is he not anymore?..
and i feel stupid for asking this but what did you mean by stepping down from the soap box?

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Permalink Reply by Anita on December 23, 2009 at 10:18am

A current diagnosis or verified past medical history of diabetes is among the medical conditions listed as disqualifying for military service. An applicant for military service can request a medical waiver, but I do not know the likely success of such a request. There are even certain restrictions and procedures for processing service members who are diagnosed with diabetes while already on active duty (depends on the branch of service). Civilian employment for the various military agencies or the DoD in general has no such restrictions. I served on active duty in the military prior to my diagnosis and am now a civilian employee--both a rewarding. Good luck.

Read the following for more info: http://www.diabetes.org/assets/pdfs/know-your-rights/for-lawyers/em...

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