[EdnBama]

Do the rules about diabetics apply on to the Army, or also other services, such as the Air Force.

My dad is retired Air Force ... and I know that there are many jobs on AFB's that would be no more risky for a diabetic than are for me working for the state government.

I certainly understand that there are reasons for not putting a diabetic in a position like combat or even guarding something.

But there are many positions, especially stateside, where someone can serve without being a threat to national interests or his or her fellow servicemen/women.

The Army isn't made up only combat troops, just as the Air Force isn't all pilots.

--Ed

[bigsapper]

While most "peacetime" duties give an impression of a ???-type duty, in fact all service members regardless of branch need to be prepared for combat. An entire nation's fate depends on it. You can't get any more "in the rear with the gear" than a cook in a 2nd echelon maintenance unit. And they ended up on the wrong side of the stick big time.

Make no mistake, the military service is no place for compromising, regardless of branch or duty position. Some of the highest decorated vets at my local VFW post were in the Coast Guard.

Remember, there *are* other ways to serve your country. Simply being an honest, productive member of society without being a burden on your fellow citizens is a fine and worthy start.

[EdnBama]

With no disrespect to my dad ... but I doubt if all heck had broken loose, he would have been in the combat loop as a stateside paralegal in the Air Force.

Not to be argumentative ... but regardless of how many servicemen and servicewomen are sent on active combat missions, there are plenty of jobs of an administrative-type nature that will still have to be filled at bases and posts in the US, not to mention the Pentagon.

If we consider the suggestions that a diabetic can serve by being a civilian police officer -- what's the difference between that and being an MP at a stateside Army post or a Security Policeman/woman at a stateside Air Force base?


--Ed

[EdnBama]

... by the way ...

... imagine that, tshelton ... an Auburn man standing up for a Georgia man!

:p

--Ed

[bigsapper]

Not to be argumentative ...
But the *first* duty and responsibility of *any* servicemember is to be able to pickup a rifle and fire it in the general direction of the enemy. That's why basic rifle marksmanship is one of the first things *all* servicemembers learn.

It's nice to have a warm, fuzzy feeling for the personnel who are able to perform their war-time mission from the percieved comfort & security of national soil. But there's a lot of risk here at home. Don't forget the 184 souls that perished at the Pentagon on 9/11. Also, it's feasible that we become embroiled in a conflict that requires *all* personnel to deploy.

Anyway, military policy is what it is. Doubtful that this will change although there are medical exceptions granted for exceptional cases. Here's one.

I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree.

Happy Holidays!

[EdnBama]

I guess I'm just not seeing any real difference between certain jobs in the military (regardless of branch) and the level of risk with police officers.

If anything, police might be considered to have more significant risk since they have potential to deal with problems everyday rather than just when called to active duty.

And I certainly don't believe that just because the policy is what it is that no one should question it or that people should assume it won't change.

There should be an open dialogue and, if change is worthwhile or warranted, it should be implemented. But likewise, if change is problematic, it should be avoided.

However, the status quo shouldn't be maintained merely because it is the status quo ... and people shouldn't find artificial reasons (or prejudicial reasons ... or ignorant reasons) for limiting people with diabetes from being public servants ... especially at a time when we are being told there aren't enough people in the service to properly maintain proper troop strengths and guardsmen/women are being called for extended periods of deployment.

And frankly, although we all know that there won't be a case where every single armed forces member is called to a combat zone, if they were ... then we'd probably be in a heck of a mess and will be glad to have anyone and everyone capable of holding gun -- military or civilian -- diabetic or non-diabetic -- taking up arms to protect our interests.

--Ed

[mccubbij]

I was in the regular ARMY when I was diagnosed with T1. I was immediately pulled from duty as a Satellite Communications Equipment Repair Tech. I worked in an air conditioned non-combat environment. I had to move to a class-room environment where I had to teach. It took eight months and a medical review board but they managed to put me out.