Okay, so I have a food allergy to wheat. I understand that it can be/is a disqualifying medical condition for military service. However, I have been talking to a recruiter lately and he says it shouldn't be a problem getting it waived.

So, my question is does he have accurate information? Will a medical condition, though waived, limit the type of job(s) and assignments I'm allowed to have?

Thanks.

Dietary allergies like this could be major issues in Boot Camp and the Fleet. The Navy is not prepared to provide special diets. If you said chocolate or some fruit, it might be waive able. But wheat is a major part of the standard diet. In boot camp I survived on things like bread and cereal.

The medical risk of inadvertent exposure to wheat in the dining hall would mean a one way trip home after you recovered.

I understand, but at the same time I am aware there are people in the military(and Navy specifically) with existing food allergies to wheat, or more correctly celiac disease. I know it's the difference between a pre-existing condition and being grand-fathered in because of time/performance, but then how does the military manage these people in terms of diet and assignments?

As well, an allergy to wheat is unlike other food allergies in the sense that it is *not* acute in nature. You're not going to swell up, lose oxygen, and/or die.

Regardless though, if I can't get in then I can't get it in. No big deal. I'm just curious as to whether or not this recruiter knows what their talking about with regard to waivers.

I guess the question would be What happens if you do have wheat then?

If you say you don't have acute onset of airway swelling, hives, itching, etc, then it really isn't an allergy. It is an adverse reaction.

It is common for people to have say they have an allergy because they get nausea, vomit, etc but that is an adverse reaction. I guess the point is, depending upon your tolerance, may be the deciding factor if you may get a waiver or not. Is it possible to take meds etc for it?

Yes, this 'allergy' is more of an intolerance than anything. For me personally, if I consume too much then I can get an upset stomach.

As far as meds go, there really aren't any needed or available. One just has to watch their food intake. Meaning, stay away from heavily processed foods by following a healthy diet that any active/athletic person would. Lots of lean meats(fish, chicken, etc), vegetables, and fruits.

It's a PDQ, the only way to find out if the Navy will waive it is to go to MEPS. They will determine if your sensitivity to it warrants a waiver or not based on how it could interfere with your shipboard duties

Let's say you get an upset stomache while part of a firefighting team on board, thus dragging the team down and endangering yourself or those around you. They determine your eligibility based on their answers to questions like that.

quote:

f I consume too much then I can get an upset stomach.

I don't know if celiac sprue disease is waiverable or not. I guess it would depend on how bad your vomiting and diarrhea is, as well as how much gluten you can or cannot tolerate. Have you actually had this diagnosis confirmed with a biopsy? Or is it one of those "Well, we think you have celiac's disease or IBS? "

Yes, my condition has been diagnosed via bloodwork and endoscopic biopsy.

I have every intention of disclosing my condition at MEPS. I'm really just wondering if there's much of a chance at all, because this particular recruiter seems like the only person in the military who thinks it's a possibility.

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Originally posted by afandrews:
Yes, this 'allergy' is more of an intolerance than anything. For me personally, if I consume too much then I can get an upset stomach.

I guess from my POV it depends on how bad you get and how much you have to consume before getting an upset stomach which could be the deciding factor. If you can tolerate little amounts at a time, you could be OK to go. There are meal choices that you don't have to go with, there is a salad bar, etc so there is ways to manage your diet while in.

If you can handle some wheat based food and can manage, then you could have a shot at a waiver.

Thanks for the input. Sure, I can tolerate varying amounts of wheat/gluten. Afterall, I managed to get by before I was diagnosed(which was recently), so I can still consume stuff like pizza, sandwhiches, etc without incident, even though I consciously avoid those types of foods now.

Now, if I should be granted a waiver then I plan to become a corpsman. Do you think my condition, and/or the presence of a medical waiver on my record will limit my ability to be worldwide deployable? Will it bar me from going greenside or shooting for a particular C school, such as dive medical technician?

quote:

Originally posted by afandrews:
Thanks for the input. Sure, I can tolerate varying amounts of wheat/gluten. Afterall, I managed to get by before I was diagnosed(which was recently), so I can still consume stuff like pizza, sandwhiches, etc without incident, even though I consciously avoid those types of foods now.

Now, if I should be granted a waiver then I plan to become a corpsman. Do you think my condition, and/or the presence of a medical waiver on my record will limit my ability to be worldwide deployable? Will it bar me from going greenside or shooting for a particular C school, such as dive medical technician?

I have no clue as far as Corpsman would go. On one side, you could be stationed on a base where you have a better chance of selecting the right foods for you, or even packing your own food. On a ship, you can still be choosey with what to eat and can supplement. Whereas if you were with the Marines and deployed you only have the MRE's which you really can't balance anything out.

Thanks again. In talking to the recruiter and doing my own research, I was thinking they'd limit me to either shore or sea duty. I'm okay with that even though I would like to serve with the Marines. Gotta accept my limitations and do what's best for myself and the Navy.

I'm wondering if it would be advisable to have my GI doctor write something up about my condition that I can then submit to MEPS. Think it would have any bearing on me getting a waiver?

Just an update. I went to the recruiter's office today to take the practice test and see if I meet the standards for height and weight. No problems there, just gotta shed a couple of pounds before I'd leave for basic training.

Anyways, once again I disclosed my condition(was talking to a different recruiter this time) and he, along with the others, still feel confident that it shouldn't pose a problem for enlistment. Even so, they had me sign a disclosure form allowing them to look at my medical records. As well, I'm gonna have my doctor fax over the written report I mentioned before.

They're standing down for the holidays, but we should know something concrete by the first or second week of january.