Should people with relatively minor health conditions be allowed in the military?

[Nakura Chambers]

To prevent the derailing of another thread. By "relatively minor," I mean things like diabetes, but excluding things like paralysis and terminal cancer.

If you believe they should be allowed to serve, should they only be allowed in non-combat positions? Also, how would you deal with sending them medication?

Note: I'm not referring to lowering the standards of the military, these people would still have to undergo the exact same training regiment as everyone else.

[Deleted]

Diabetes is life threatening, it is NOT minor.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

Diabetes is life threatening, it is NOT minor.

Depends on which stage it is.

[Deleted]

Depends on which stage it is.

I do not know any form of diabetes that be controlled on a diet of nothing but rat packs.

[stockishgsr]

If it doesn't affect them doing their MOS, then why not let them serve, once it becomes an issue give them the option to change MOS to a more suitable job or give them a medical discharge.

If they are trying to enlist and they pass the tests required both physically and mentally what is wrong with that?

[Nakura Chambers]

I do not know any form of diabetes that be controlled on a diet of nothing but rat packs.

It wouldn't cost that much or take up much space to have a separate group of rations that provide sufficient nutrients for diabetics. You could even make them taste terrible on purpose, as to prevent them from receive special treatment.

[Crissi]

It wouldn't cost that much or take up much space to have a separate group of rations that provide sufficient nutrients for diabetics. You could even make them taste terrible on purpose, as to prevent them from receive special treatment.

and if they go into diabetic shock in the middle of the field?

Not to mention you also need to provide insulin just in case, and blood level detectors to track your levels daily.

[Deleted]

It wouldn't cost that much or take up much space to have a separate group of rations that provide sufficient nutrients for diabetics. You could even make them taste terrible on purpose, as to prevent them from receive special treatment.

And when they are forced to go for 2 days without food?

[Nakura Chambers]

and if they go into diabetic shock in the middle of the field?

Not to mention you also need to provide insulin just in case, and blood level detectors to track your levels daily.

And if a normal soldier has a heart attack or an aneurysm on the battlefield? How is that any different?

[Nakura Chambers]

And when they are forced to go for 2 days without food?

The soldier can carrier an extra ration or two (as well as insulin) in his backpack, just to be on the safe side.

[Deleted]

And if a normal soldier has a heart attack or an aneurysm on the battlefield? How is that any different?

A heart attack from a fit recruit is rare, a diabetic going into shock after almost no food for days is guaranteed.

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The soldier can carrier an extra ration or two (as well as insulin) in his backpack, just to be on the safe side.

Good idea, I wonder why no one else thought to carry more food.....

[Djuntas]

Aint this different from country to country?

Trough Id guess it depends on how much you push for it surely?

[Crissi]

And if a normal soldier has a heart attack or an aneurysm on the battlefield? How is that any different?

Id imagine they don't take recruits with a history of heart disease. heart attacks in perfectly healthy adults is rare.

[poser765]

It wouldn't cost that much or take up much space to have a separate group of rations that provide sufficient nutrients for diabetics. You could even make them taste terrible on purpose, as to prevent them from receive special treatment.

Sure it would.

I'll tell you a story. Southwest Airlines flies one type of airplane. A 737. just that (well provided you don't count AirTran). Someplace like Delta flies many. Airbus 320s, 340s, 737s, DC-9s, 747, 767s, 757. A whole damn list of various airframes. Southwest saves a TON of money because their maintenance requirements are so much easier. One set of parts for on type of airplane. One type of warehousing, one set of suppliers. It's just easier to have one singular base for your logistics. It's easier and costs a lot less than someplace like Delta who flies a dozen different airframes from 4 different manufactures.

I'm sure you can see the relevance.

[Nakura Chambers]

A heart attack from a fit recruit is rare, a diabetic going into shock after almost no food for days is guaranteed.

Under the current system, people just lie about and hide their medical conditions to get in. Wouldn't a better system be one where both parties are honest and work together to come to an arrangement in cases where it's possible to do so?

[mitbrandir]

They shouldn't be allowed to serve when they're at a point where they cant assure the certainty of lives because of their condition.

[Deleted]

Under the current system, people just lie about and hide their medical conditions to get in. Wouldn't a better system be one where both parties are honest and work together to come to an arrangement in cases where it's possible to do so?

You have no idea how extensive Military medical examinations are, my initial medical tests took 3 days, they poke and probe every orifice. Someone with a serious heart condition cannot get away with lying about it.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

You have no idea how extensive Military medical examinations are, my initial medical tests took 3 days, they poke and probe every orifice. Someone with a serious heart condition cannot get away with lying about it.

Are they still adamant about 20/20 vision for certain things?

[Deleted]

Are they still adamant about 20/20 vision for certain things?

Certain roles they do such as pilot, other roles they are pretty lax in their vision standards. They will even allow colour blind people into certain positions.

[Crissi]

Certain roles they do such as pilot, other roles they are pretty lax in their vision standards. They will even allow colour blind people into certain positions.

even people with little to no peripheral vision? o.O