THIS WILL BE CONTROVERSIAL!

[daniel1021]

BASICALLY, I have had type 1 diabetes all my life and it wasn't picked up until the age of 21. I wanted to join the Armed Forces, I am very physically fit and up until the point of being diagnosed I had complete control of my diabetes without even knowing through diet and exercise. Even being diabetic, I could still run 10 miles in well under an hour and do hundreds of press-ups/sit-ups etc. I also work as a PT. Why should I be refused? just because now some jumped up doctor tells me I have a "condition" condition or no condition still doesn't affect how healthy and fit I am.

I want everyone's opinion on this but I suppose most of you will go with the "you are a risk" statement or "you are unfit due to your medical condition" but opinions are still welcome and yes, you can probably gather I'm not that pleased about it!

 

[elainechi]

you may be fit and that is great but no active service as you are a risk to others safety especially as you are more than likely to be sent to a war zone..what happens if you.re held hostage???? just a thought....BUT its a shame they can.t use you in another job in the services eg pt instructor or eqivalent to a pregnant solder if i may dare to say so.......this is only my opinion and hopefully no one will jump dowm my answer xx

 

[daniel1021]

you may be fit and that is great but no active service as you are a risk to others safety especially as you are more than likely to be sent to a war zone..what happens if you.re held hostage???? just a thought....BUT its a shame they can.t use you in another job in the services eg pt instructor or eqivalent to a pregnant solder if i may dare to say so.......this is only my opinion and hopefully no one will jump dowm my answer xx

I wanted to join the Royal Army Physical Training Corps to be a PTI but obviously being diabetic excludes me from any entry which is annoying . I don't understand because the police and fire service can recruit diabetics and they are just at risk as being in the armed forces. They are all under the same category.... people are bound to disagree with your answer because everyone will have an opinion (unfortunately probably not mine). Most people it seems view diabetes very very bad in all cases where as I don't because mine is controlled. Just hate being cut off for having diabetes! having to change my life plan because of it! :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :crazy: :crazy:

 

[elainechi]

just found out you need to be self sufficient and you can.t be as you need insuln.....supplies..storage..but still doesn.t answer why not in non war zone areas x

 

[tazzle]

I have read your post a few times daniel and just wondered..... how did / do you know you have been diabetic for a long time if its not been "picked up" ... if its only just been picked up by a doctor are you now on insulin ?

If you have been able to manage a type 1 diabetes with diet and exercise alone then I would hazard a guess that you have because its because you have complete control over what you do and when, what you eat and when. Depending on what trade you do and in which branch of the service you are in much of what you do will definately NOT be in your control.

I have several relatives in different branches of the services and no matter the trade they periodically have to do training exercises or be on active service where meals are def not regular and activity is at a level that puts far more stress on the body than normal ( even for fit folk).

My SIL was in Afghanistan and it was even harder than the training in this country because of the heat ........ the strain of carrying the additional kit required saps the energy of even the fittest soldiers.

I know you dont want to hear this but in combat situations everyone has to be fit .......... if you have a condition like T1 diabetes you would be a liability to your comrades. My SIL got his knee bust and had an op .... still fit enough to do iron man stuff but downgraded from a1 fitness. ... no more frontline stuff.

Of course you can still be fit ..... theres professional footballers I believe with T1 ........... and you may well be a good PT trainer. However in the services all trades can be called upon to go into active combat areas. My OH was in the Falklands and he is a desk jockey :wink: .. he still had to do all the physical training too !


Stick around... be sure to have some more experienced folk on diabetes aslong soon !

 

[daniel1021]

just found out you need to be self sufficient and you can.t be as you need insuln.....supplies..storage..but still doesn.t answer why not in non war zone areas x

I guess i'm just going to have to change my career plans! :/

 

[daniel1021]

I have read your post a few times daniel and just wondered..... how did / do you know you have been diabetic for a long time if its not been "picked up" ... if its only just been picked up by a doctor are you now on insulin ?

If you have been able to manage a type 1 diabetes with diet and exercise alone then I would hazard a guess that you have because its because you have complete control over what you do and when, what you eat and when. Depending on what trade you do and in which branch of the service you are in much of what you do will definately NOT be in your control.

I have several relatives in different branches of the services and no matter the trade they periodically have to do training exercises or be on active service where meals are def not regular and activity is at a level that puts far more stress on the body than normal ( even for fit folk).

My SIL was in Afghanistan and it was even harder than the training in this country because of the heat ........ the strain of carrying the additional kit required saps the energy of even the fittest soldiers.

I know you dont want to hear this but in combat situations everyone has to be fit .......... if you have a condition like T1 diabetes you would be a liability to your comrades. My SIL got his knee bust and had an op .... still fit enough to do iron man stuff but downgraded from a1 fitness. ... no more frontline stuff.

Of course you can still be fit ..... theres professional footballers I believe with T1 ........... and you may well be a good PT trainer. However in the services all trades can be called upon to go into active combat areas. My OH was in the Falklands and he is a desk jockey :wink: .. he still had to do all the physical training too !


Stick around... be sure to have some more experienced folk on diabetes aslong soon !

Hey, I had the symptoms of type 1 diabetes literally all my life and it was never picked up, just happened to see a locum doctor on a particular day asked me a few questions and knew straight away, I had to have a islet cell antibodies test because my diabetes was so well controlled through how I am normally everything was covering it up until that point. just lucky I was a health and fitness freak from a young age! I guess it is just a harsh reality and I'm going to have to deal with the fact I cant do that as a career, funny how one thing changes everything! Luckily and ironically I have studied a lot about diabetes so when it came to light I was diabetic I found it really easy but I can imagine how hard it would be for someone that isn't so insanely health conscious especially in combat!
I'll have to stick with training members of the public! thanks for the advice tazzle! i've just started using this forum so hopefully you'll be around for advice if needed!

 

[NigelM]

I was diagnosed as Type 1 while serving in the Army at the age of 42 (12 years ago). Because I was already in I was not kicked out but was medically downgraded and not sent on operations. At that age most jobs were desk bound a d this was not such an issue. The ruling was because the medical services say they cannot guarantee to supply refrigerated drugs in war zones. The American forces rule is that you must be able to survive for at least 30 days if captured and separated from your equipment. The British Army has become more flexible over the employment of those who become diabetic whilst in the Army in the last few years but the rule about medical entry standards remains, as it does for asthma and many other conditions. It is sad and devastating to have one's plans dashed at the same time as learning to cope with insulin and everything else but it is not going to change things to worry about it. You have a positive attitude and that is great. Pour that energy into your chosen career and you will succeed!

 

[izzzi]

Hi Daniel1021,

Another rule which I was not aware of.

I just wondered what is your second preferred choice, and will there be any problems with that decision.

You appear to have a lot of determination, best of luck in whatever lies ahead in your future profession.

Roy.

 

[daniel1021]

Hi Roy, As I can't join, my career path looks like I will continue being a personal trainer and specialise in obesity & diabetes weight management with a view to having a sort of exercise & sport related clinic for diabetics..... and in my time away from work run half and full marathons for diabetes UK and JDRF.... My diabetes threw me a curve ball where my career is concerned but its nothing I cant get through just have to set my goals on something else, everything happens for a reason and all that thanks for the kind words!