Can diabetics serve in the military?
140491
not on initial entry.  If they develop diabetes while in the military they can continue to serve, but will be awaiting a medical board to consider their continuing or medical discharge
260233
No.\n\nType 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, like some kinds of arthritis or lupus. It requires an inherited susceptibility (traced to certain kinds of HLA antigens), and a trigger. the trigger is usually infection from any of several things, commonly viruses. German measles is one, as are several members of the Coxsackie virus family. During such an infection, the immune system 'learns' to attack cells with certain surface markers, and beta cells have such markers. At least that's the current best idea of what ususally happens. The beta cells get killed (having the wrong markers) and that ends your internal insulin production. Food has nothing to do with it. \n\nType 2 diabetes is more complex. It is strongly inherited, but is also influenced by environment. Those carrying more weight than they should, and the elderly, are more likely to get it. Hence its older names: obesity-related and adult-onset diabetes. It has recently been discovered that fat tissue, especially fat tissue around the abdominal organs (but not on thighs or hips or chins or ...) produce several hormones, just like the endocrine glands. Some of those hormones affect other cells, and one of them makes them  more resistant to insulin. That is, when insulin is present, it's harder for those cells to take up glucose from the blood. This is insulin resistance and it's at the heart of Type 2 diabetes. Some can be treated with diet, exercise, and supervision; some require all that and oral medications as well; some require insulin, perhaps in addition to an oral medication. \n\nObiously, it's not only sugar which can cause fat like this. Overeating anything, perhaps especially fats, can cause weight gain. Ther's nothing special about weight gain from sugar as opposed to weight from the fat in meats. \nAnyone who eats enough to become a little thick here and there has increased their chance of getting Type 2. Lack of exercise seems to be significant as well. So, whether it's sugar or anything else that you eat too much of, you can increase your chance of getting Type 2. \n\nThe only direct effect of sugar is a speculative one. In the extreme pure sugar (or sugar in solution, like a soft drink) will go into the bloodstream very quickly. This will cause a rapid rise in blood glucose level, and perhaps to a high spike in that level. There is some speculation that too many cases of such rapid spikes causes damage to beta cells in the pancreas or to other cells, in such a way as to increase the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. Thus far, there only suspicions along this line as an experimental study to test this prediction would be difficult to design and carry out. Not to mention expensive. No drug company will finance such a study as there is no prospect of a salable drug resulting. \n\nIt's probably best to avoid 'empty calories' in any case. The classic examples are soft drinks which are basically nothing but flavored sugar water. Check the nutrient label the next time you see a soft drink bottle.
395868
I don't know what nations military service you were in, but I'd bet they offered training and PPE as well as technical data for maintaining aircraft fuel systems.  \n\nUnless you can prove otherwise, or that you actually used the proper PPE and tech data, you might not have a leg to stand on Bud.
410559
If the spouse is also AD military, then no,  she cannot join AD, but she can go reserves.  \n\nIf there are excess dependants(more than a spouse and 2 kids) then the military may assume you cannot adequately provide for them on an enlisted salary and deny your enlistment.  You would have to prove that your husband's job is sufficient to provide for your family without depending entirely on your income as an E1.
888441
Here is a helpful website, hope it is helpful:\n\nhttp://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/prev/prevention.htm
801277
If infection sets in then yes of course\n\ndiabetics need to particularly careful with their feet\n\nand should see a speacialist every 6 months for check- ups and immediately if they have a serious injury.\n\nyou had better 'hop' to it!!!
1060670
First of all contact your insurance company. They can be a valuable resource. Second, contact your local American Diabetes Association chapter, they can provide you with endocrinologists along with a vast wealth of information. Finally, visit www.childrenwithdiabetes.com there is some GREAT help available there.\n\nPlease feel free to email me with any other questions...I've been in your shoes. Hang in there, ok?
344618
Yes.  And diabetics have to check it often.
875920
Generally they can eat what ever they want, whether that be a cup of plain sugar or a sugar free piece of bread, as long as the medications that they are taking compensate for the amount of sugar and carbohydrates that they consume.\nI've had diabetes for 25 years and I have 2 cups of vanilla ice cream (and no it's not that "sugar-free" crap either) with butter scotch and chocolate fudge toppings every night for the past few years and my A1C is 6.2. \nSo go ahead and eat whatever your heart desires, just remember to take enough medications or insulin to compensate for what you are eating.
824983
I have no idea, but I imagine, you would get the same benefits as if you were still an active marine.  Go on a insulin pump at www.minimed.com.  Having type 1, as I do, the insulin pump is much easier mentally.  Good luck.
820607
G'day Mark m,\n\nThank you for your question.\n\nI would advise the relevant doctor that you have diabetes and they should be able to advise you whether it does or not.\n\nIn most cases, I would believe not but it would depend on the medication.\n\nRegards
405927
Maggie,\n\nThe short answer is that there are a few scholarships.  Your experience as a diabetic may help you get into some careers where there are more scholarships and tuition reimbursement related to your career. \n\nThe long answer is:  I liked your question so much that I blogged on it at http://www.mydiabetesinformation.com.  \n\nAnother quote:\n\nFrom the journal "Diabetes Care,":\n\nIt behooves\nthe student to contact local resources and\ntheir educational institution to see\nwhether any scholarship money might be\navailable to them. At times, a benefactor\nmay set up a scholarship fund at a college\nor in a local community for someone with\na specific diagnosis such as diabetes.\nThese scholarships may not be advertised\nand may go unused during the years that\nno one applies for them.\n\nHere is a narrow niche, if you play tennis competitively: http://www.wtt.com/charities/default.asp\n\nMaybe you could learn really fast!\n\nSeriously, I like the first suggestion better.  If you do some scholarship searches, you may find a scholarship for students with diabetes.  \n\nThanks for the blog idea.  \n\nMatt
416311
In some countries, men and women are required to serve in the military.  Forcing people to do so won't guarantee that they will become better citizens, gain maturity or wisdom or even that they will get into better shape physically.  \n\nThe military in this country is a fine option for some, but it definitely isn't for everybody.  Maybe a better option would be calling for one year of military or humanitarian service which would open up more options while still giving the US a specific period of service from each person.  \n\nPersonally, I think forcing anyone into military service is a poor choice.  I wouldn't want to be alongside someone who it there by force and not giving their all.  I don't want the person who holds the cure for cancer or AIDS or the next Shakespeare to be held back by a year or two of mandatory service.  \n\nMandatory service could be far more detrimental to this country than beneficial.
759268
Both previous posters are right, but there is a BIG depends. Here is the scoop - earlier this year, the Army (including all the reserves and guard) COMBINED the MOS of the field medics and hospital techs into one. So everyone holding the 68W MOS can now serve at a hospital, CASH (we don't have MASH's anymore), BN Aid station or with a line unit. Those fortunate few who have previous medical training, higher education or had the knowledge and forsight to inquire before enlisting - are sent to what is called the M6 school after AIT (I would be absolutely SHOCKED if any state national guard is willing to pay to send any of their soldiers to this school - very very very doubtful), which trains 68W over an extended period of time (nearly a year) in a hospital setting to become licensed practical nurses (LPN's). Those 68W's who don't have it guaranteed in their enlistment contracts....Ruck Up!!  You're heading out to the Aid Station or the unit. \n\nNow...with all that said...if he is going to be an eye doctor (an actual board certified optometrist)...why on earth enlist? Once he is certified, the Army/Guard will take him on a direct commission as a Captain and put him right to work in a hospital/clinic taking care of troops' eyes!!! If he enlists in the Guard as a medic he has an uphill battle to get his contract invalidated so that he can transfer and apply for a commission later. Not too mention he may end up being deployed which will delay his schooling while he does his time in the sandbox. Best bet here - tell him to get his schooling done and then take his Captains bars doing what he is trained to do. The enlisting thing in this particular case doesn't seem to fit.
38807
There was never a requirement for the mentally impaired to be in the military service.\n\nThis brings to mind a favorite quote: 'ENGLISH, mother****er, do you speak it!"
354837
for California reserves here's what they say\nMEMBERSHIP INELIGIBILITY:\nApplicants ineligible for enlistment or appointment include:\n \n  1. Convicted felons.\n  2. Persons adjudged a youthful offender.\n  3. Persons on parole or probation.\n  4. Individuals with a RE-4 reenlistment code on their DD 214.\n  5. Persons with prior service whose discharge was other than "Honorable."\n  6. Persons adjudged as a security risk.\n  7. Conscientious objectors.\n  8. Persons not meeting current height/weight standards, chart (CA SMR Reg 600-9)\n  9. Active members of any component of the U.S. Armed Forces.\n      (Members of the U.S. Armed Forces Retired Reserve are eligible and encouraged to join)\n10. Individuals convicted of offenses involving moral turpitude.\n11. Individuals with significant medical disqualifications (i.e. diabetes, epilepsy, etc.) or any medical\n      condition that is likely to limit full service in the CA SMR.\n12. Individuals receiving medical disability annuity. (Contact SMR Headquarters for percentage\n      allowances.)\n13. Persons required to register for the Selective Service, but have failed to do so.
503131
you are in college?  \n\nyou'd have better luck attracting answers if you spelled it out correctly and expanded your question with comments about what it is you'd like to know about the lifestyle of diabetes patients (if that is what you are asking about) -- be more specific.