Coast Guard

Kt-lyn · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 02:15 PM

My boyfriend has type 1 diabetes; and he just found out that he can't join the coast guard, something he has been hoping to do for some time. I have heard rumors that diabetes should not be a reason to be rejected from the coast guard, but i cant' find any real reasearch to back it up. Does anyone have experience with this scenario first hand, or any websites that might help me find a loophole?

lgvincent · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 02:30 PM

I'm pretty sure the military will reject him. I was rejected by the Air Force, the Army, and the National Guard when I tried to join them, although it has been a while. I seriously doubt that things have changed any since then.

JediSkipdogg · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 02:33 PM

When I turned 18 I couldn't get those **** recruiters off my back. I even thought dropping the D word to them would make them leave me alone. Nope, they knew my skills in TV and Computers back then and thought I could do a desk job making their commercials and training videos for them. They said I'd never serve or do anthing of danger, but I could still enlist and work in the US for them.

Catie and Emily · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 02:52 PM

Ive actually seen a newspaper article about a guy who was in the military, but was diagnosed after he was in for awhile, and they didnt make him retire, they let him keep on going, but that was only because it was after he'd been in for a couple years. He was in Iraq or someplace hot, and they said he kept his insulin in a frio pack or whatnot. O he was on a pump also, I do believe they said. Ill try to find the article

EDIT::

Okay its called Spotlight Shines on Soldier With Type 1 Diabetes and heres the link for his story: Spotlight Shines on Soldier with Type 1 Diabetes although he is in the Army that really wouldnt make a difference.

Catie and Emily · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 03:17 PM

okay heres another article, but heres some of it bcz its not all about diabetes and the military. Its called Many Reasons To Run
Motivations vary for 14,000 runners getting ready for the Marine Corp Marathon and heres some of it..

Whether you are running around Burke Lake or the C&O Canal, this month, more than 14,000 D.C. area runners out there with you are taking the final steps of training for the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). Each runner you pass has their own motivation and inspiration for lacing up a pair of running shoes.

Josh Stevens, 30, of Triangle, Va. is an active duty Marine who has Type 1 diabetes. Of the more than 18 million people with diabetes, roughly 5 percent have Type 1. Stevens can’t just lace up his shoes and go for a run. He must regularly ensure his glucose levels are within an acceptable range so he does not pass out while he runs. Then he carefully plans how far he will go on each run and how much energy he expects to expend to know if he’ll need to carry power gel or a snack to maintain his energy safely.
Unlike most runners who can treat themselves to a sugary snack after a run or a big meal of carbohydrates before a race, Stevens must carefully calculate and balance the sugars in each bite to maintain his health.
Though running is a part of his regular Marine training, he has been logging extra miles towards his running goals since Christmas 2005. To train for his first marathon, Stevens joins other Marines for training runs on Marine Corps Base Quantico before work most weekdays.
“I am going to run just like I do at 5 a.m. Monday through Friday,” said Stevens, “at ease and to finish the route. Maybe a conversation here and there and a great memory at the end.”

KickStart101 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 10:52 PM

Hi Kt-Lyn And Welcome:

Sorry to say, the answer sounds kinda dreary so far and a
Coast Guard sure sounds like an interesting career.

I googled this for you but I haven't read the links, feel free.
Good Luck to your BoyFriend.

Topic: Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Expert: Rod Powers
Date: 7/1/2006
Subject: Type 1 Diabetes and Airforce Opportunities

Question
I am a type 1 diabetic with a 4.0 GPA. I plan on going to medical school. My question is: Would I be able to serve in the airforce or go to the airforce academy with my insulin dependent status? I use a minimed insulin pump and I am well controlled.

Thank you!
Jenna

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Answer
Hi Jenna,

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid, probably not. Medical standards for joining any branch of the Armed Forces can be found at: Military Medical Standards for Enlistment, Appointment, or Induction.

As you can see, under the section for "Endocrine and metabolic disorders," Diabetes, whether type 1 or 2 is a medical disqualifier (see: U.S. Military Information.

I've never known Type I or II Diabetes to be waived. There is a valid reason for this. Military members are subject to deployment to remote areas of the World, at any time, with no notice, and medicines may not be available in these remote locations.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my Military Information Website, at: U.S. Military Information.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
U.S. Military Information

OOpS, sorry. I missed that looking for loop-hole part.