Type 1 Diabetes

[Stealth_81]

What an absolute disgrace. So the military has no problem sending those with PTSD full blown back to war over and over again with shorter time off, however a young man or woman with the condition that is treatable and it has had many technological advances, is disqualified from attending a military academy even in the middle of while they're being recruited by said military academy. Funny all the recruiters say you can serve your time and then you don't have to necessarily go overseas to war, you can work domestically for the military after graduating, but then they used to disqualifier regarding not being worldwide deployable. Thanks for crushing my son's dreams with this arcade policy

Well, it appears that you joined today to vent about this issue. I’m not going to argue about the military policy since that is outside my area. I did want to encourage your son to look at other opportunities to serve. Here is where I do have experience. I’ll repeat the story for those who are newer to the forum.

Our middle daughter really wanted to attend an academy as many others in our family had done. Her grades, tests, and application gave her a great chance at an appointment. However, she was born with a condition called spondylolysthesis which caused back issues and resulted in her having a fusion surgery at age 11. She was healthy otherwise and played three varsity sports in HS without issue. She was, however, denied a waiver for USAFA and USNA. Being a determined young lady, she went to State U on scholarship, and got admitted to one of the top DTP programs. One of her clinical assignments during her last year of DPT school was working on the USAFA doolies during BCT, particularly Jacks Valley. She graduated with her DTP and is now a civilian employee of……the US Navy. She works alongside the same people who she would have been working with if she had commissioned.

Tell your son to apply and hope for a waiver, but if he doesn’t get one, look to other opportunities.

Stealth_81

 

[Boymomof3]

Well, it appears that you joined today to vent about this issue. I’m not going to argue about the military policy since that is outside my area. I did want to encourage your son to look at other opportunities to serve. Here is where I do have experience. I’ll repeat the story for those who are newer to the forum.

Our middle daughter really wanted to attend an academy as many others in our family had done. Her grades, tests, and application gave her a great chance at an appointment. However, she was born with a condition called spondylolysthesis which caused back issues and resulted in her having a fusion surgery at age 11. She was healthy otherwise and played three varsity sports in HS without issue. She was, however, denied a waiver for USAFA and USNA. Being a determined young lady, she went to State U on scholarship, and got admitted to one of the top DTP programs. One of her clinical assignments during her last year of DPT school was working on the USAFA doolies during BCT, particularly Jacks Valley. She graduated with her DTP and is now a civilian employee of……the US Navy. She works alongside the same people who she would have been working with if she had commissioned.

Tell your son to apply and hope for a waiver, but if he doesn’t get one, look to other opportunities.

Stealth_81

This . It’s a hard pill to swallow when we have to tell our kids that because of something outside of their control, they will be denied things in which they want to do. Our youngest is a pediatric stroke survivor - cognitively he’s sharp as a tack, with some physical limitations — but nothing stops him from being a competitive swimmer, and playing basketball & baseball. BUT… he will never pass a DODMERB exam. His oldest brother is on scholarship for NROTC & his middle brother is looking at trying to do something similar. We were talking about it in the car a little bit ago (he asked) & he told me: mom, I would do the same thing if I could. I know buddy, I know. It broke my heart. But - my focus is on what he can do. There is no doubt in my mind that this kid is off to do great things - he already serves his fellow human beings by being a volunteer study participant at one of the best rehabilitation hospitals in the country. I’m like, dude, your college essays will basically write themselves . I feel your pain - it’s something all of us parents in similar situations live through - .every.day. My only advice - there’s a time to be angry about the situation (we’ve all been there) but then pick yourself up & help them be the best person they can be. My guess is ultimately wherever your child ends up will be amazing for him ….

 

[MullenLE]

Clearly, there is a lack of understanding of the backstory/foundation behind the diabetes policy for accession, but as always, Stealth _81 gave positive advice that would be wise to be followed.

There are many ways to serve our country. Not everyone can follow that path in the military.

I "WANT" to be tall, dark, and handsome. Failed!
I "WANT" to be young again and have the smorgasbord of options and opportunities that these applicants have. Not going to happen!
I "WANT" to know the answer to everything. Unrealistic!

The Rolling Stones hit #1 in 1969 with the song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "You can't always get what you want." How true! The person's real strength comes, when folks pursue other avenues, that often turn out better than their original plan.

 

[puzzler]

I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 44 years. During that time there have been amazing advances in knowledge and understanding, technology, types of insulin, testing methodologies, insulin delivery systems, how to limit and treat complications, to name a few. There are ways possibly to forestall or even prevent the development of diabetes in siblings of those with the disease, who are at high risk. And research into stem cell and gene therapies looks very promising. But the bottom line, unfortunately, is that type 1 diabetes remains incurable. Without the minimum resources needed to treat it - insulin and syringes - a person with the disease will quickly deteriorate and die. And even with adequate or, indeed, superior treatment, risks remain. I’ve gotten into trouble because of something as simple as forgetting to grab a candy bar before going out for a walk.
The military cannot, and should not, take these kinds of chances.

 

[Capt MJ]

I have often posted variations of the advice before as an alternative path of service for the inevitable cases each year of DQ and no waiver.

As far as the comments above regarding @MullenLE , I actually thought Mr. Mullen went as far as he could out on the proverbial limb by saying “virtually nil” to the poster. He posts in the open here as a senior official, therefore I am sure he has gotten cautionary advice from govt lawyers as to what he can and cannot post, because of the capacity in which he serves. The same for when he is asked questions in any situation. His agency finds people qualified or not qualified. In any setting, he cannot and should not speak for an individual service and their waiver policy, a completely different chain of command and decision-making body. He is a spectator for those decisions in his own way. It would not be appropriate or ethical for him to comment specifically.

Here’s my usual advice for alternate paths for those who find military service closed to them
——————————————————
Every year, we have applicants who realize their pursuit of military service must end for medical DQ reasons. There are still ways to serve the country.
Federal agencies departments, particularly the “ABC” ones, are eager to hire college grads who wish to serve the country in the area of national security. If you can’t be a “door-kicker” or operational field agent, you can have their backs as analysts and specialists in cyber and intelligence, in forensics, communications, logistics, operations planning, analysis and other critical fields.

Below I’ve pasted some info I have used here over the years, in the hope of shining a light toward other open doors.
Students

Explore hiring programs for students.

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www.dhs.gov

Students | FBIJOBS
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www.fbijobs.gov

NSA | Students | Intelligence Careers

STEM Scholarships | DoD STEM

DoD STEM scholarships are available to exceptional STEM education students excelling in one of 15 supported STEM disciplines of interest to the DoD.

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dodstem.us

You can find similar student internships, scholarships, and other programs for CIA and other major agencies. There are HS, college undergraduate and post-grad programs. Try googling the agency name and student programs.
Federal service offers excellent benefits and education opportunities, plus the ability to move around in search of promotions or between agencies and departments. One of our USNA sponsor daughters had a younger sister who was a math whiz, varsity athlete, all-around scholar who would have been very competitive for SA or ROTC scholarship, but her Crohn’s DQ’ed her. She majored in Applied Mathematics at a very good school, took advantage of one of the programs above and did paid work for them in the summer, and she was hired 4 days after she graduated college. She is now doing highly classified work for that agency, and had her M.S. I the filed fully paid for. She has clearances put the wazoo and can’t talk about what she does. She has excellent federal healthcare benefits and a long career ahead of her.
.
If the military door is firmly closed, look around for doors and windows in other shapes and sizes which also lead to service to the country.

 

[Capt MJ]

I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 44 years. During that time there have been amazing advances in knowledge and understanding, technology, types of insulin, testing methodologies, insulin delivery systems, how to limit and treat complications, to name a few. There are ways possibly to forestall or even prevent the development of diabetes in siblings of those with the disease, who are at high risk. And research into stem cell and gene therapies looks very promising. But the bottom line, unfortunately, is that type 1 diabetes remains incurable. Without the minimum resources needed to treat it - insulin and syringes - a person with the disease will quickly deteriorate and die. And even with adequate or, indeed, superior treatment, risks remain. I’ve gotten into trouble because of something as simple as forgetting to grab a candy bar before going out for a walk.
The military cannot, and should not, take these kinds of chances.

Appreciate your clear-eyed comments. Be well.