Military enlistment and diabetes: Is it possible?
In a world where diabetes management is a daily commitment, individuals living with the condition may find themselves questioning their career prospects, particularly in relation to the military. However, it's essential to remember that there are a multitude of career paths available, especially in healthcare, education, coaching, nutrition, telehealth, and patient support roles.
Diabetes Educators and Certified Diabetes Care Specialists are integral to providing patient education and coaching for diabetes and related conditions. Their roles often involve remote work, helping individuals manage diabetes through lifestyle and treatment education. Dietitians specializing in Diabetes Education develop nutrition plans and educate patients on managing diabetes through diet. These jobs can be part-time or full-time and are available in clinical and community health settings.
Health and Wellness Coaches deliver guidance on weight loss, chronic disease management, and lifestyle changes to patients with diabetes. With the growing trend towards telehealth, remote roles in this field are becoming increasingly prevalent. Administrative, technical, and support roles in Diabetes Care Programs, such as executive assistants, care managers, and program coordinators, are also worth considering.
For those interested in a broader approach, automotive and other non-medical consultant positions related to chronic conditions may be of interest. These roles often incorporate managing chronic diseases like diabetes in occupational health programs.
It's important to note that these career options emphasize roles where knowledge of diabetes is valuable but physical demands or military fitness standards are not required. Remote work opportunities are expanding in these fields, making them accessible for individuals managing a chronic illness like diabetes.
Veterans with service-connected diabetes may be eligible for VA benefits and disability programs, but these are distinct from career options for those who cannot join the military.
For those considering a career in the military, it's crucial to understand that the Department of Defense (DoD) provides a list of disqualifying health conditions, which includes all types of diabetes. An individual must pass a number of tests, including a military entrance medical exam, and declare any health conditions, with diabetes being listed as a disqualifying health condition.
However, a 2018 study involving Air Force personnel with diabetes found that those with good markers of control, such as an A1C score of less than 7%, were able to maintain the successful management of their diabetes during deployment. Similarly, a 2019 study concludes that service members meeting adequate glycemic targets are able to keep their A1C score stable during active service.
For those who cannot join the military due to their condition, the MEB may use standards of retention to determine whether an active service member with diabetes can continue serving, and may require input from the commanding officer and an endocrinologist.
Under the Rehabilitation Act, laws and regulations protect people living with diabetes from discrimination and unfair treatment, but these laws do not apply to the military. The DoD's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program ensures equal treatment in all aspects of employment for individuals with disabilities.
In conclusion, while living with diabetes may make it difficult to join the military, it should not disqualify certain career paths. Individuals with diabetes can build meaningful careers in healthcare education, coaching, nutrition, telehealth, and patient support roles that leverage their expertise or experience with diabetes without military service prerequisites. Remote work is notably prominent in many of these roles.
- Diabetes educators and certified diabetes care specialists, alongside dietitians specializing in Diabetes Education, contribute significantly by providing education and coaching on diabetes management and related conditions.
- Health and wellness coaches play a vital role in guiding patients with diabetes on weight loss, chronic disease management, and lifestyle changes, with many positions available in telehealth.
- Administrative, technical, and support roles in Diabetes Care Programs, such as executive assistants, care managers, and program coordinators, are also opportunities worth exploring.
- Automotive and other non-medical consultant positions related to chronic conditions may be of interest, incorporating diabetes management in occupational health programs.
- It's notable that many of these career options prioritize knowledge of diabetes rather than physical demands or military fitness standards.
- Remote work opportunities in these fields are increasing, making them accessible for individuals managing chronic illnesses like diabetes.
- Veterans with service-connected diabetes may be eligible for VA benefits and disability programs, but these are separate from career options not requiring military service.
- The Department of Defense (DoD) has a list of disqualifying health conditions, which includes all types of diabetes, making it challenging for individuals with diabetes to join the military. However, living with diabetes should not disqualify certain career paths.
