Is it possible to join the military?

[PeanutButterFiend]

Has anyone here been in the military or still in it? I have been diagnosed for a little over 6 years now (biopsy) and and looking to sign up for the military, I originally applied to the air force branch when I was fresh out of high school and was denied due to being 20 pounds overweight. I have now since lost said weight but in the year I applied I didn't know I had Celiac disease and have been diagnosed within those years. I read some mixed responses on the matter, and someone suggested I just not tell the recruiter about my Celiac Disease. Anyone have experience in the military? What branch are you? And did you tell the recruiter or was your diagnosis after you joined? (I'm 24 year old woman btw) 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, PeanutButterFriend!

I would be surprised if you told the recruiter you have celiac disease if he/she would even know what it is. I certainly would not hide it and make sure it get's recorded. If you aren't turned down you might need to rely on that record in order to get safe chow. I would also get a copy of your medical record for proof. 

[Nick Cheruka]

49 minutes ago, PeanutButterFiend said:

Has anyone here been in the military or still in it? I have been diagnosed for a little over 6 years now (biopsy) and and looking to sign up for the military, I originally applied to the air force branch when I was fresh out of high school and was denied due to being 20 pounds overweight. I have now since lost said weight but in the year I applied I didn't know I had Celiac disease and have been diagnosed within those years. I read some mixed responses on the matter, and someone suggested I just not tell the recruiter about my Celiac Disease. Anyone have experience in the military? What branch are you? And did you tell the recruiter or was your diagnosis after you joined? (I'm 24 year old woman btw) 

Celiacs Disease will disqualify you from joining any form of our Military in the U.S.! This is something thats becoming more prevalent with prior enlisted members being diagnosed while in the military after joining or even serving 15-20+yrs this is because of the non available gluten free food in the military however some enlisted or prior like yourself that may have certain allergies may get a waiver to be able to enlist thats with allergies and Celiacs is not considered an allergy to our military it is considered an autoimmune disorder there for even if they could provide Gluten Free food/chow they can not provide it without the risk of cross contamination so to answer your question in my opinion and reading facts, they will not allow Celiacs in and if you do talk with a recruiter do not lie about anything. Tell the truth in what you know as they will find out and no one likes a liar especially our U.S. Military of any branch of Service! Good Luck☘️If you still doubt just ask a recruiter who knows what can prevent you from being able to join and if they don’t mention Celiacs like trents said they some may not know ask them to get the info for you, they can and will!

[Nick Cheruka]

2 minutes ago, Nick Cheruka said:

Celiacs Disease will disqualify you from joining any form of our Military in the U.S.! This is something thats becoming more prevalent with prior enlisted members being diagnosed while in the military after joining or even serving 15-20+yrs this is because of the non available gluten free food in the military however some enlisted or prior like yourself that may have certain allergies may get a waiver to be able to enlist thats with allergies and Celiacs is not considered an allergy to our military it is considered an autoimmune disorder there for even if they could provide Gluten Free food/chow they can not provide it without the risk of cross contamination so to answer your question in my opinion and reading facts, they will not allow Celiacs in and if you do talk with a recruiter do not lie about anything. Tell the truth in what you know as they will find out and no one likes a liar especially our U.S. Military of any branch of Service! Good Luck☘️If you still doubt just ask a recruiter who knows what can prevent you from being able to join and if they don’t mention Celiacs like trents said they some may not know ask them to get the info for you, they can and will!

If your diagnosed Celiac then make sure you tell them this up front! They want to know they can depend on you to be honest and if you didn’t tell them and for some reason you did get in, once they find out and they will! You will be dis-honorably discharged and loose everything including your integrity in yourself and it may hurt your chances for future employment outside the military especially government work of any kind in the civilian sector!

[Nick Cheruka]

1 minute ago, Nick Cheruka said:

If your diagnosed Celiac then make sure you tell them this up front! They want to know they can depend on you to be honest and if you didn’t tell them and for some reason you did get in, once they find out and they will! You will be dis-honorably discharged and loose everything including your integrity in yourself and it may hurt your chances for future employment outside the military especially government work of any kind in the civilian sector!

Also whoever your so called friend or friends are that told you that are wrong for doing so! Lets just say you did slip by and get in and they don’t for whatever reason find your medical records which they will, what would you eat in there as they do not provide gluten-free anything.

[Nick Cheruka]

2 minutes ago, Nick Cheruka said:

Also whoever your so called friend or friends are that told you that are wrong for doing so! Lets just say you did slip by and get in and they don’t for whatever reason find your medical records which they will, what would you eat in there as they do not provide gluten-free anything.

There are MRE’s meals ready to eat that are adding some gluten-free options but very few and it’s not intended for Celiacs just anyone wanting to avoid it as fad, or so called diet not because of Celiacs! Celiacs alone is a disqualification to join any branch, Army, Navy, Air force and Marines and I believe the U.S. Coast Guard as well!

[Scott Adams]

Unfortunately this is correct information, you can't serve if you have celiac disease, although there are likely many people in the military who do have it, and there are many people who had it and still served.

One example is CPT B. Donald Andrasik, who is the author of Gluten-free in Afghanistan – A Soldier's Dietary Memoir (may still be available Amazon). He has also written some articles for Celiac.com which you can find here:

https://www.celiac.com/profile/81379-cpt-b-donald-andrasik/ 

[Nick Cheruka]

3 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

Unfortunately this is correct information, you can't serve if you have celiac disease, although there are likely many people in the military who do have it, and there are many people who had it and still served.

One example is CPT B. Donald Andrasik, who is the author of Gluten-free in Afghanistan – A Soldier's Dietary Memoir (may still be available Amazon). He has also written some articles for Celiac.com which you can find here:

https://www.celiac.com/profile/81379-cpt-b-donald-andrasik/ 

Thank you for backing up what I wrote Scott Adams I just wanted her to know!