Re: CD and military enlistment

[Guest guest]

I feel bad for your son, however, when my children were diagnosed with celiac disease I was very happy that it meant they would never be drafted into the military. I had been doing a lot of reading about how Congress has been slipping in the ability to draft certain professions and I was relieved that my children wouldn't have to deal with fighting against their enslavement by the federal government.ShezI don't know if anyone else has checked on this, but I have a 17 year old who has voiced an interest in possibly enlisting. (He's and EMT and the Air Force has a program for "para-rescuers" I think it was.) I finally called and asked what the military's position on CD is. It got taken several steps beyond the local recruitement office and this is their answer. Anyone having a reaction to a common food would not be eligible to enlist. CD has not been directly addressed, but because all MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) that are provided to servicemen when in action contain gluten, the recruiter I spoke with was told that the likelihood that someone with CD would be allowed to enlist is pretty slim. However, if my son really wanted to try, the medical area would have the final say. But, I was told, I should prepare him to be disappointed if he does try. I was also told this would likely apply to all areas including the National Guard and Coast Guard.

[Guest guest]

My husband (not CD) is a 20 year veteran. I'm a 4 year veteran (prior to becoming CD), and yes, all the MRE's contain gluten. I think it might be different depending on the rate (or MS - "job") he chose, but I'd have to agree. I was told (about wearing contacts instead of glasses) if it didn't interfer with how fast you could get ready or if it wouldn't interfer if you had to go to war, it would be allowed. A GF diet would be extremely difficult eating only MRE's

--loriann aka Victree the Christian clown

..

[Guest guest]

You wrote:

I feel bad for your son, however, when my children were diagnosed with celiac disease I was very happy that it meant they would never be drafted into the military. I had been doing a lot of reading about how Congress has been slipping in the ability to draft certain professions and I was relieved that my children wouldn't have to deal with fighting against their enslavement by the federal government. ________________________________I'd appreciate it if you kept your political views out of the discussion. Our men and women in uniform help you to be free and are not enslaved by the federal govermnent.

--loriann aka Victree the Christian clown

PROUD UNITED STATES VETERAN!!

..

[Guest guest]

This is really off-topic and uncalled for. Politics don't belong here.Sherene Silverberg wrote: I feel bad for your son, however, when my children were diagnosed with celiac disease I was very happy that it meant they would never be drafted into the military. I had been doing a lot of reading about how Congress has been slipping in the ability to draft certain professions and I was relieved that my children wouldn't have to deal with fighting against their enslavement by the federal government. Shez I don't know if anyone else has checked on this, but I have a 17 year old who has voiced an interest in possibly enlisting. (He's and EMT and the Air Force has a program for "para-rescuers" I think it was.) I finally called and asked what the military's position on CD is. It got taken several steps beyond the local recruitement office and this is their answer. Anyone having a reaction to a common food would not be eligible to enlist. CD has not been directly addressed, but because all MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) that are provided to servicemen when in action contain gluten, the recruiter I spoke with was told that the likelihood that someone with CD would be allowed to enlist is pretty slim. However, if my son really wanted to try, the medical area would have the final say. But, I was told, I should prepare him to be disappointed if he does try. I was also told this would likely apply to all areas including the

National Guard and Coast Guard.

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[Guest guest]

I was wondering the same thing, whether CD would keep him out of the

service. My dh was a Captain in the Army before getting out. We just

had this discussion the other day and the diabetes issue came up. I

suppose a type I or type II diabetic would not be able to enlist

either (US better get on the ball about the quality of food since the

obesity epidemic is making more and more children type II diabetic

before the age of 20 - it's the HFCS folks! And the junk food rise and

fall of the glycemic index that happens way too fast, too often for

their bodies to cope. Warning to those eating mainly rice flour, corn

starch and tapioca starch -- sharp glycemic rise and fall over time

will predestin one to type II diabetes).

This is one of the reasons we really must finalize the CD diagnosis.

We took him GF so fast due to his failing health that we bi-passed

the biopsy for the time being -- note he was 3 and the size of his 18

month old sister. Dr. Fasano told me it was fine to wait until he was

stronger and healthier and that is all I needed to hear.

Without a 'gold standard' dx, he is subject to " the draft " , freshman

college dorm requirements, etc.

I'm waiting for diagnosis techinques to become less invasive and more

accurate. The fact remains even the blood test are not very accurate,

29% accurate in the presence of partial villi atrophy! It's no wonder

so many are misdiagnosed for years.

Rejoyce

VA

[Guest guest]

> This is really off-topic and uncalled for. Politics don't belong

> here.

> ===========

my apologies. I was cranky this morning.

Shez

[Guest guest]

> This is really off-topic and uncalled for. Politics don't belong

> here.

> ===========

my apologies. I was cranky this morning.

Shez

[Guest guest]

> This is really off-topic and uncalled for. Politics don't belong

> here.

> ===========

my apologies. I was cranky this morning.

Shez

[Guest guest]

Interesting topic... There are active duty military members who do have Celiac Disease and it does not disqualify them. I'm not an expert in this area, but I am the spouse of an active duty military member... I do not think that a confirmed diagnosis of Celiac Disease would enable someone to not be drafted. (if we were in a draft situation). It would "probably" mean that you could still serve in the military, but you may not be deployable. There are TONS of other jobs the branches of service have available which do not require you going on ships, planes, subs, "in the field", etc. and you could serve in the military. I think it is some sort of "myth" that people have about the military... they think if you are in the military then you are out in the middle of nowhere fighting enemies. There are plenty of other support type jobs available which even keep you stateside.

The bottom line is this... if you have CD and want to be in the military, it can be done. If you have CD and don't want to be in the military... I'm sure if you complain enough about it and "make" it an issue, then perhaps you may be able to get out of it. ~Melonie, leader for ROCK NoVA/Metro DC & owner of SillyYaks, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SillyYaks

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

Melonie, this is exactly what we thought here. But the recruiter was

very discouraging. My son wants to become a paramedic (since he's

already an EMT) and had heard going through one of the services is a

great way to get the training and do something worthwhile at the

same time. Considering that all military bases use paramedics, it

seemed odd to me that they were so negative. I wonder if it has

something to do with boot camp? I've no personal experience on what

it's really like, but maybe " picky eaters " are frowned upon?

>

> Interesting topic... There are active duty military members who

do have Celiac Disease and it does not disqualify them.

>

> I'm not an expert in this area, but I am the spouse of an active

duty military member... I do not think that a confirmed diagnosis

of Celiac Disease would enable someone to not be drafted. (if we

were in a draft situation). It would " probably " mean that you could

still serve in the military, but you may not be deployable. There

are TONS of other jobs the branches of service have available which

do not require you going on ships, planes, subs, " in the field " ,

etc. and you could serve in the military. I think it is some sort

of " myth " that people have about the military... they think if you

are in the military then you are out in the middle of nowhere

fighting enemies. There are plenty of other support type jobs

available which even keep you stateside. The bottom line is

this... if you have CD and want to be in the military, it can be

done. If you have CD and don't want to be in the military... I'm

sure if you complain enough about it and " make " it an issue, then

> perhaps you may be able to get out of it.

>

>

>

~Melonie, leader for ROCK NoVA/Metro DC & owner of

SillyYaks, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SillyYaks

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> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone

call rates.

>

[Guest guest]

> Melonie, this is exactly what we thought here. But the recruiter was

> very discouraging. My son wants to become a paramedic (since he's

> already an EMT) and had heard going through one of the services is a

> great way to get the training and do something worthwhile at the

> same time. Considering that all military bases use paramedics, it

> seemed odd to me that they were so negative. I wonder if it has

> something to do with boot camp? I've no personal experience on what

> it's really like, but maybe " picky eaters " are frowned upon?

It's a bit of a more competitive field, but would he be interested in

natural resource management or outdoor education? I know quite a few

men and women who have gone into those fields. A degree is helpful,

of course. Oftentimes, they need EMT, firefighting,

wildfirefighting, and other rescue skills. The more of those skills

he has, the more employable he may be. When I worked for a state

park in Indiana, full time employees had the opportunity to train in

various skills. They could then be sent to other states when there

were wildfires, floods, or building disasters. I don't know if

programs like this still exist--a lot of state funding has been cut

for conservation and resource management.

There are many more ways to serve one's country other than the

military. Civic sector offers many opportunities. He shouldn't

give up! I have a friend who is an EMT (my town has one of the

busiest all-volunteer rescue squacs) and who has been trained in

swift water rescue, firefighting, etc. My brother-in-law has an

outdoor education degree and has worked with Outward Bound and other

programs. He's also taken several courses in wilderness survival and

rescue.

ygg

[Guest guest]

His main interest is in Hazmat work. He's already Hazmat certified,

but not as a " Hazmedic " which is his eventual goal. I shudder... But

I'm also proud. Lol! I'll tell him about the areas you mentioned

here. He's going to be a senior this next year and so keeps telling

me he still has time to make final decisions.

>

> > Melonie, this is exactly what we thought here. But the recruiter

was

> > very discouraging. My son wants to become a paramedic (since he's

> > already an EMT) and had heard going through one of the services

is a

> > great way to get the training and do something worthwhile at the

> > same time. Considering that all military bases use paramedics, it

> > seemed odd to me that they were so negative. I wonder if it has

> > something to do with boot camp? I've no personal experience on

what

> > it's really like, but maybe " picky eaters " are frowned upon?

>

>

> It's a bit of a more competitive field, but would he be interested

in

> natural resource management or outdoor education? I know quite a

few

> men and women who have gone into those fields. A degree is

helpful,

> of course. Oftentimes, they need EMT, firefighting,

> wildfirefighting, and other rescue skills. The more of those

skills

> he has, the more employable he may be. When I worked for a state

> park in Indiana, full time employees had the opportunity to train

in

> various skills. They could then be sent to other states when

there

> were wildfires, floods, or building disasters. I don't know if

> programs like this still exist--a lot of state funding has been

cut

> for conservation and resource management.

>

> There are many more ways to serve one's country other than the

> military. Civic sector offers many opportunities. He

shouldn't

> give up! I have a friend who is an EMT (my town has one of the

> busiest all-volunteer rescue squacs) and who has been trained in

> swift water rescue, firefighting, etc. My brother-in-law has an

> outdoor education degree and has worked with Outward Bound and

other

> programs. He's also taken several courses in wilderness survival

and

> rescue.

>

> ygg

>

[Guest guest]

It would be difficult to eat right in boot camp. Mind you, I went through boot camp in 1984, but we had 20 minutes from when the first person sat down to finish eating. Hated to be last at a table. Of course, if you're eating on a limited diet, could be you didn't have much to eat anyway. I'm not sure how they'd do boot camp. As far as "shore billets" meaning not deployable, I can't see why not, but I know the military, and if it makes sense, or takes a little thought, they probably won't do it.

--loriann aka Victree the Christian clown

-------------- Original message --------------

Melonie, this is exactly what we thought here. But the recruiter was very discouraging. My son wants to become a paramedic (since he's already an EMT) and had heard going through one of the services is a great way to get the training and do something worthwhile at the same time. Considering that all military bases use paramedics, it seemed odd to me that they were so negative. I wonder if it has something to do with boot camp? I've no personal experience on what it's really like, but maybe "picky eaters" are frowned upon? >> Interesting topic... There are active duty military members who do have Celiac Disease and it does not disqualify them.> > I'm not an expert in this area, but I am the spouse of an active duty military member... I do not think that a confirmed diag

nosis of Celiac Disease would enable someone to not be drafted. (if we were in a draft situation). It would "probably" mean that you could still serve in the military, but you may not be deployable. There are TONS of other jobs the branches of service have available which do not require you going on ships, planes, subs, "in the field", etc. and you could serve in the military. I think it is some sort of "myth" that people have about the military... they think if you are in the military then you are out in the middle of nowhere fighting enemies. There are plenty of other support type jobs available which even keep you stateside. The bottom line is this... if you have CD and want to be in the military, it can be done. If you have CD and don't want to be in the military... I'm sure if you complain enough about it and "make" it an issue, then> perhaps you may be able to get out of it.> > > ~Melonie, lea

der for ROCK NoVA/Metro DC & owner of SillyYaks, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SillyYaks> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.>

[Guest guest]

I have to agree. I was in the Army National Guard Band, and I can't imagine

having to deal with CD even in that situation, much less Basic Training or

active duty. I almost didn't get in back then because I'd had an ulcer when I

was 14, so I really can't see them allowing someone in with CD simply from the

medical aspect.

When we were on duty weekends we would often have to eat at a restaurant

(pancake house, etc.)near where we had traveled. There was much more interest

in efficiency than nutrition. We also sometimes had to eat MRIs (Meals, Ready

to Eat), the packaged, freeze-dried meals they give in combat situations, and

I'd be really surprised if any part of them were GF.

During the time I was active we were preparing for mobilization in the first

Gulf War. Yes, even the band could have been activated in a secondary mission

position. One of the first things you learn in Basic Training is everyone's

secondary mission is field soldier. I had a friend who's Reserve unit did go.

It was a very scary and sobering time. When you are in the military, they train

you to conform and obey orders immediately. That could be a problem for someone

with CD, who might not have time to arrange for safe food, or to make sure it is

prepared safely. I do NOT think the military would be very understanding.

Well, I've said all this to make the point that, IMHO it would be highly

unlikely for someone to be accepted into the military who has CD, and if they

were it would be very difficult food-wise. I don't know why someone would

really want to go to all that trouble, if there were any other options. I'm

sure things could have changed since I was in the Army. I am just speaking out

of my experience.

HTH,

Laurie

victreenjesus@... wrote:

>

>It would be difficult to eat right in boot camp. Mind you, I went through boot

camp in 1984, but we had 20 minutes from when the first person sat down to

finish eating. Hated to be last at a table. Of course, if you're eating on a

limited diet, could be you didn't have much to eat anyway. I'm not sure how

they'd do boot camp. As far as " shore billets " meaning not deployable, I can't

see why not, but I know the military, and if it makes sense, or takes a little

thought, they probably won't do it.

>--

>loriann aka Victree the Christian clown

>

>-------------- Original message --------------

>

>

>Melonie, this is exactly what we thought here. But the recruiter was

>very discouraging. My son wants to become a paramedic (since he's

>already an EMT) and had heard going through one of the services is a

>great way to get the training and do something worthwhile at the

>same time. Considering that all military bases use paramedics, it

>seemed odd to me that they were so negative. I wonder if it has

>something to do with boot camp? I've no personal experience on what

>it's really like, but maybe " picky eaters " are frowned upon?

>

>

>>

>> Interesting topic... There are active duty military members who

>do have Celiac Disease and it does not disqualify them.

>>

>> I'm not an expert in this area, but I am the spouse of an active

>duty military member... I do not think that a confirmed diagnosis

>of Celiac Disease would enable someone to not be drafted. (if we

>were in a draft situation). It would " probably " mean that you could

>still serve in the military, but you may not be deployable. There

>are TONS of other jobs the branches of service have available which

>do not require you going on ships, planes, subs, " in the field " ,

>etc. and you could serve in the military. I think it is some sort

>of " myth " that people have about the military... they think if you

>are in the military then you are out in the middle of nowhere

>fighting enemies. There are plenty of other support type jobs

>available which even keep you stateside. The bottom line is

>this... if you have CD and want to be in the military, it can be

>done. If you have CD and don't want to be in the military... I'm

>sure if you complain enough about it and " make " it an issue, then

>> perhaps you may be able to get out of it.

>>

>>

>>

>~Melonie, leader for ROCK NoVA/Metro DC & owner of

>SillyYaks, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SillyYaks

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>> ---------------------------------

>> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone

>call rates.

>>

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

lisslands2@... wrote:

>We also sometimes had to eat MRIs (Meals, Ready to Eat), the packaged,

>freeze-dried meals they give in combat situations,

Oops, I meant we had to eat MREs. Heehee. Eating an MRI would be quite a

mouthful!

Laurie

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[Guest guest]

as a former soldier, and husband who is a drill sergeant, we both agree that you can not enter with CD. The MRE's (which you eat plenty of in basic) are not gluten free. Neither one of us know if they have any that are. They have some vegetarian, and kosher ones, so it's possible. However, you can have regular chow hall meals. It wouldn't be a bad idea to petition Congress to get CD meals. Jennie OsborneaPRS wrote: Melonie, this is exactly what we thought here. But the

recruiter was very discouraging. My son wants to become a paramedic (since he's already an EMT) and had heard going through one of the services is a great way to get the training and do something worthwhile at the same time. Considering that all military bases use paramedics, it seemed odd to me that they were so negative. I wonder if it has something to do with boot camp? I've no personal experience on what it's really like, but maybe "picky eaters" are frowned upon? >> Interesting topic... There are active duty military members who do have Celiac Disease and it does not disqualify them.> > I'm not an expert in this area, but I am the spouse of an active duty military member... I do not think that a confirmed diagnosis of Celiac Disease would enable someone

to not be drafted. (if we were in a draft situation). It would "probably" mean that you could still serve in the military, but you may not be deployable. There are TONS of other jobs the branches of service have available which do not require you going on ships, planes, subs, "in the field", etc. and you could serve in the military. I think it is some sort of "myth" that people have about the military... they think if you are in the military then you are out in the middle of nowhere fighting enemies. There are plenty of other support type jobs available which even keep you stateside. The bottom line is this... if you have CD and want to be in the military, it can be done. If you have CD and don't want to be in the military... I'm sure if you complain enough about it and "make" it an issue, then> perhaps you may be able to get out of it.> > > ~Melonie, leader for ROCK NoVA/Metro DC & owner

of SillyYaks, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SillyYaks> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.>Jennie OsborneCan I help you develop a child in your life into a spiritual champion?www.jensnest.comwww.joinnest.com

See the all-new, redesigned Yahoo.com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

I will bet that years from now, when more of the population is known to have CD... the military will change their prepackaged foods and you'll find those with CD entering the military. It won't happen any time soon, but with 1 in 133 of the population having CD... the military will change if they don't meet their numbers.

-- Carol M HeppnerUpdated website: www.carolheppner.comNew Paper Arts Book: INKING by Carol Heppner (Sterling/Chapelle) 2006

[Guest guest]

I will bet that years from now, when more of the population is known to have CD... the military will change their prepackaged foods and you'll find those with CD entering the military. It won't happen any time soon, but with 1 in 133 of the population having CD... the military will change if they don't meet their numbers.

-- Carol M HeppnerUpdated website: www.carolheppner.comNew Paper Arts Book: INKING by Carol Heppner (Sterling/Chapelle) 2006

[Guest guest]

I will bet that years from now, when more of the population is known to have CD... the military will change their prepackaged foods and you'll find those with CD entering the military. It won't happen any time soon, but with 1 in 133 of the population having CD... the military will change if they don't meet their numbers.

-- Carol M HeppnerUpdated website: www.carolheppner.comNew Paper Arts Book: INKING by Carol Heppner (Sterling/Chapelle) 2006

[Guest guest]

Strictly on a cost basis, I can't imagine it would be worth their

while. The distributional costs of having special meals must be much

higher than the cost of turning away a few hundred or even a thousand

potential soldiers.

I was curious whether Israel includes people with celiac in the army

since they have universal service and it's a professional disadvantage

to be excluded, and I didn't see info on that, but I did see that a

study of 120,000 consecutive enlistees to Israel Defense Forces aged

16--17 found celiac prevalence of a tenth of a percent (.1%). It

sounds like Israel may routinely screen for celiac in the pre-army

medical exam since this was just a control group for a diabetes study.

JZ

>

> I will bet that years from now, when more of the population is known to have

> CD... the military will change their prepackaged foods and you'll find those

> with CD entering the military. It won't happen any time soon, but with 1 in

> 133 of the population having CD... the military will change if they don't

> meet their numbers.

>

> --

> Carol M Heppner

> Updated website: www.carolheppner.com

> New Paper Arts Book: INKING by Carol Heppner (Sterling/Chapelle) 2006

>

[Guest guest]

My husband has been in the Navy for 18yrs now and has been

supervising recruiting offices for the past three years. I do know

that if you are already diagnosed with celiac before entering the

military then you are uneligible to join same way with type 1

diabetes. So basically neither of our son's will have the

opportunity to join the military unless they change.

> >

> > I will bet that years from now, when more of the population is

known to have

> > CD... the military will change their prepackaged foods and

you'll find those

> > with CD entering the military. It won't happen any time soon,

but with 1 in

> > 133 of the population having CD... the military will change if

they don't

> > meet their numbers.

> >

> > --

> > Carol M Heppner

> > Updated website: www.carolheppner.com

> > New Paper Arts Book: INKING by Carol Heppner

(Sterling/Chapelle) 2006

> >

>