Could diabetis keep me out of the army?

Question

a lot of people in my family have diabetis and i think i may have it as well. im a little over weight and i have a couple of the symptoms. though it could just be hypocondria (sp)

im 16 and in the proccess of enlisting in the army (ill be 17 at the end of the month) i dont know if i should go now and get myself checked because they might not let me in because of it. if i get tested after im a soldier and i have it they cant discharge me can they?

Answer 1

Diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2, is disqualifying for entry into the armed forces. The source below is the medical standard.  

Answer 2

Discharge is a case-by-case scenario.  It will depend on your job, your commander, etc.  More than likely if it turns out you have diabetes, but its a low category, you will still be able to join.  What they look at when determining those things are your ability to deploy, fufill your required duties and meet fitness standards.  If your illness affects those things, that's when they start looking at whether you're fit to be in the military.  But it doesn't mean you can't join, I knew a few people in the military that had it, but I don't know if they found out before or after they joined.

Answer 3

Short answer ...YES...Diabetes melitus is not a condition that will be allowed  in recruits for army service, even a borderline condition, such as pre diabetic condition will disqualify you, from service... Full stop...

you should get it checked out as soon as possible, because of its effect on you , and your health, if you were type 1, (i.e. born with it), you should have been told before now, but I suspect, type 2 (age related) diabetes, and you need to exercise, reduce weight, and avoid it becoming full type 2 for as long as possible, you may need to watch your cholestorol,  more than most, and the disease is progressive, it worsens with time, whatever you do, the long term effects are  the possible loss of limbs due to circulation problems, blindness (same cause ), heart attacks, (the usual cause of death for diabetics), kidney problems, strokes, and on, and on, and on, get it checked, and do it now, it is your life, do not let it be shortened by a second, because others may think you are a hypochondriac, it is cheap and easy to do at almost any centre that deals with blood transfusions, or a doctor who can give a urine test, ( it costs the health service about 80p to test for it, and if you have it, all prescriptions are free, but the cost of treating this in the UK, is about 2 BILLION a year, and it's side effects), so do not waste my tax money, get it done NOW.....