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the army

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bev

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
There is a lady on the other childrens forum i am on whose son is 15 and is thinking of joining the army - but after a bit of research it seems that a lot of diabetics are discharged on medical grounds -does anyone have any links or information i could pass on to them? Thanks. Bev🙂
 
Don't have any links, but from my limited knowledge i think it depends on the duties you are doing. If you are front line troops then they can't afford for you to go hypo as it puts the rest of the unit at risk. If you are clerical I think you are OK, but my knowldege is limited and it is a long time since my friend saw active duty...
 
If it's type 1 diabetes where you're insulin dependent---yes, you can be discharged from the military. I don't know about type 2 which can be managed with diet and oral medication.
 
Hi Bev,

That boy is in pretty much the same situation as myself. I would like to join up but sadly, diabetes prevents me from doing so. Diabetics are not allowed to join the forces in any capacity what so ever.

However, at the moment I am figthing a little battle to try and get this reversed. I reckon diabetics can do this. We could quite easily be in the support arms; by that I mean Royal Signals, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Intelligence Corps too. What I have done up to now is write to my MP. My CCF contingent commander has also put pen to paper and given me a statement that says I can do this. This is going on what he has seen of me over the past few years as an NCO in my school's cadet force. He knows what he is talking about too. He is a Territorial Army officer who did six months in Iraq in 2008. My consultant has also written to the armed forces minister on my behalf, he has also found a study conducted in Finland on the experiences of type one Diabetics in military service. I could forward these things to you if you wanted. Just send me a private message with an external e-mail if you want me to do that.

Tom H
 
Thanks all - i will report back to them and if they need anything more i may ask you Tom! Thanks again. Bev
 
Tom,
Are you on facebook - as the other forum have found your details i think! Someone just mentioned that you are thinking of campaigning! Bev
 
Hi Bev,

I do have facebook. There is one of my things on the DUK page there. Feel free to add me if you want.

Tom H
 
Thanks Tom, but i dont subscribe to it - i wouldnt know what to do on it! 🙂Bev
 
Hey Bev,

No worries. If you want to ask anything just fire away (pardon the pun) and I'm more than happy to answer anything.

Tom H
 
I really don't get how a diabetic could be in the front line in Afganistan?!

Unless it's a case of "I will sign my life away... it doesnt matter if i get my insulin or can test..." etc

You can hardly find breaks for testing and have a little fridge in desert.

Please explain how this is possible because i'm quite obviously ignorant on this subject.
 
I did see a youtube video of a US soldier who went and fought on the front line, but I can't find it now, I will keep looking though.

I think that if you are diagnosed with diabetes whilst in the forces you might be able to stay but in a different role.
 
Here are links to a video and an article about an American soldier who was deployed to Iraq in 2004. His name is Mark Thompson, a type one diabetic.

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/comedy/watch/v480324CReahTtP#

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-forecast/jul2005/back.jsp

If people are interested, I have got hold of a copy about the Finnish army which now allows diabetics into service if they meet certain conditions prior to joining. If you want me to send a copy to you just send me a private message with an external e-mail address.

Tom H
 
Hi Copepod,

I think I know which thread you might be talking about there 😉 How would something like the Royal Signals sound for you? I recall that the paper which I have mentioned earlier was based on the results of diabetics being in a Signal regiment. Or, how about Royal Engineers?

Tom H
 
Only suggested Royal Navy, as the whole service is based on ships or bases, although some individuals are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan (submarines being a special case). Of the Army, RAMC / RADC / QARANC, Royal Signals, REME seem most suitable, followed by Royal Engineers, RMP and some parts of RLC.
 
Hi Copepod,

I was thinking on pretty much the same sort of lines as you are regading what parts of the forces diabetics could theoretically join. I was also think Royal Artillery too. Signals followed by engineers would be what I'd want to do. That's despite me going to university in September to study applied biomedical science!

If people want to ask about what I'm doing regarding being allowed to join the forces goes just send me a private message. If there are people who are serious about wanting to join the forces I'm more than willing to give as much help as I can.

Tom H
 
Hi.
Thought you might like to read this from a soldier re the frio holder.
🙂


Back From Iraq: A Soldier's Story
Staff Sergeant Mark Thompson convinced the Army that having type 1 diabetes shouldn't keep him from serving in Iraq. by Laurie The desert air, especially if there was any wind, "felt like sticking your head in the oven while cooking the Thanksgiving turkey," Thompson said. But Thompson was holding his own, and so were his Frio pouches. He never even needed the refrigerator. And by February of this year, Thompson had completed his tour of duty in Iraq Meyers
 
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