Calling all Celiacs in the military(navy) PSA (for those just diagnosed)

[Cheerymarie]

So I just wanted to put this information out here for anyone diagnosed while in the military. (Specifically the navy) 

You wont automatically get kicked out. I assumed this to be true because it’s all there was for me to read online... a bunch of people saying they were getting kicked out. (Which makes sense since you aren’t allowed to join if you are already diagnosed) 

if you are already on a ship and experiencing problems, I feel like you would have to get kicked out. I was at a shore command when diagnosed, and was able to switch my diet easily and contamination free because I lived alone off base. I got orders to a ship that just entered the shipyard and doesn’t have an operational galley so I can bring my own food that isn’t contaminated. 

Idk if since being gluten free you feel better already, but it’s been 6 months since diagnosis and I still feel like garbage and have bathroom troubles. I personally don’t think I’m suited to be on the ship. I still suffer abdominal pain frequently and it’s often debilitating. 

If you are reading this and wish to join. You cannot and would not want to. In boot camp pretty much everything to eat is gluten. And anything that isn’t... is probably heavily contaminated. You will likely be screwed when it comes time to go to an operational billet, as you will get sick eating the galley food there as well. When you bring your own food people make fun of you for being gluten free even though you have a disease. It’s not a good environment for a celiac, unless you don’t eat gluten free.

This information is elsewhere but :

if you are deemed not fit for full duty you will be placed on light duty (maybe) or the will go straight to LIMDU. With limdu you will receive orders to a non operational command. You will be assessed every 6 months and after 3 limdu periods will go to a medical evaluation board. You can request a medical evaluation board at any time and the doctor can send you straight there as well if they don’t think your condition will improve. 

If you are deemed unfit by the med board you will be medically separated. You will unlikely receive disability payments (from what I’ve heard from others ) because celiacs is a hereditary condition. But you will receive a separation package ($) . 

 

My experience : 6 years active duty, 2 limdu cycles (for knee problems), worked at an MTF, had a friend that went through the entire med board/ separatation process. 

If anyone else ***THAT SERVED IN THE MILITARY*** has anything else useful/additional to add. That would be cool too ! If anyone has any questions I can answer also here is cool. 

[Media query]

I am composing a piece for national publication about how to send gluten-free items to soldiers
Who can I ask about policy (has it changed) and the # of gluten-free soldiers?
Thanks