Getting Drafted And Celiac Disease

[1desperateladysaved]

I just saw in another post that one can't be drafted into service, if they have celiac disease.  That makes sense to me, but I think it would really surprise my family.

 

Can anyone confirm this?

[Adalaide]

There are a lot of things that can prevent someone from joining the military, willingly or otherwise. Since it has been decades since the draft was last instated it isn't something that I think is worth wasting time considering. I will point out though that we have had members here who have been members of the military, so while it is possible that a diagnosis could keep someone from joining, it certainly isn't getting anyone kicked out.

[Gemini]

I cannot completely 100% confirm this BUT how would a soldier eat MRE's in the field if they were Celiac?  My neighbor had a son who was discharged from boot camp for having an asthma like attack from the mold he was exposed to in the Deep South, where he was doing basic training.  He never reacted that badly before but he is from New England where the mold issue isn't as bad as in the south. 

 

If you want confirmation, ask a recruiter.  They should know.

[1desperateladysaved]

I talked to an old friend whose husband was discharged (honorably, no doubt) when he was discovered to have a gluten intolerance.  That was a couple of decades ago.  He was nearly dead and they thought perhaps it was celiac when they were doing a last ditch surgery in an effort to discover what ailed him.  He was told to avoid gluten.  Since he has made a full recovery.

 

I wasn't worried about being drafted.  I was curious how important the military thought it was.  My family may be interested to know how the military would treat celiac disease.

[Renegade]

What about prison? Doubt they'll give much of a damn to give you a strict gluten-free diet there.

[GlutenStinks15]

Oh prisoners get more accommodations  for meals than we do! They get better dental treatment too. Not that I want to be in prison...

[psawyer]

It is my understanding that if you have celiac disease you will not be accepted into the US military, but if you are already in the service when diagnosed, you may or may not be medically discharged. You may be kept if your occupational specialty is such that it will not likely be a problem. Support roles are one thing, combat is another. There have been several discussions here--search the board with the keyword "military" and you should find them.

[Nikki2777]

Things may have changed.  It wouldn't be that hard to make some gluten-free MREs, so if the draft were reinstated, they might treat Celiac differently than in the past -- maybe dependent on how badly they need soldiers.

[NateJ]

They will discharge you. I was discharged for this and numerous other medical reasons.

Some of the things I've seen people turned away for or discharged: Allergies, diabetes, scoliosis, flat feet, plantar faciitis, asthma, bone spurs, chronic nose bleeds, overweight/obese and failing PT, and a lot of other stuff I can't recall right now.

The worst was a snake bite that I guy lost 3 toes from.