TSgt Private RallyPoint Member 244639 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Since military service looks so different in this day and age of technology, why do we still bar people with minor disabilities or manageable health conditions from military service? For example-asthma, diabetes, knee problems, a back surgery from which they are fully recovered? Especially when we are allowing folks with major "disabilities" (lost limbs) to stay now, as long as they can still meet standards. <br /><br />There are so many otherwise able people out there who would have loved to have been allowed to serve, but were denied entry due to a relatively minor condition. I get that the rest of us need to be world-wide qualified, and that means meeting certain physical standards. But there are diabetics and asthmatics out there that can run circles around me. It just seems we could use some of these talented people. And if they happen to not be physically able to make it through basic, why can't we still use their talents at desk jobs stateside?<br /><br />Civil service isn't the answer. It is too hard to get in to civil service jobs on military bases. Those slots are usually reserved for people with prior military experience. And these folks want to BE military. They want to serve. They want to earn veteran status. <br /><br />Would you be in favor of creating a new branch of the military that allowed the disabled a chance to serve their country and wear the uniform, earning veteran status, while filling non-physically demanding stateside jobs like clerks, finance, admin, services, etc.? They could augment all the other branches of service, performing tasks we all do now, that meet their physical restrictions. I've thought this made sense since I was first enlisted 20 years ago. I was public affairs then, and there was no reason someone with a disability couldn't do 90-100% of my job. 2014-09-17T07:12:08-04:00 TSgt Private RallyPoint Member 244639

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Since military service looks so different in this day and age of technology, why do we still bar people with minor disabilities or manageable health conditions from military service? For example-asthma, diabetes, knee problems, a back surgery from which they are fully recovered? Especially when we are allowing folks with major "disabilities" (lost limbs) to stay now, as long as they can still meet standards. <br /><br />There are so many otherwise able people out there who would have loved to have been allowed to serve, but were denied entry due to a relatively minor condition. I get that the rest of us need to be world-wide qualified, and that means meeting certain physical standards. But there are diabetics and asthmatics out there that can run circles around me. It just seems we could use some of these talented people. And if they happen to not be physically able to make it through basic, why can't we still use their talents at desk jobs stateside?<br /><br />Civil service isn't the answer. It is too hard to get in to civil service jobs on military bases. Those slots are usually reserved for people with prior military experience. And these folks want to BE military. They want to serve. They want to earn veteran status. <br /><br />Would you be in favor of creating a new branch of the military that allowed the disabled a chance to serve their country and wear the uniform, earning veteran status, while filling non-physically demanding stateside jobs like clerks, finance, admin, services, etc.? They could augment all the other branches of service, performing tasks we all do now, that meet their physical restrictions. I've thought this made sense since I was first enlisted 20 years ago. I was public affairs then, and there was no reason someone with a disability couldn't do 90-100% of my job.

2014-09-17T07:12:08-04:00 2014-09-17T07:12:08-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 244657

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>All services must be able to deploy, engage and destroy. While many people who have disabilities may be able to match our physical standards on a good day, the military would need to then be able to get them care on the worst days of their condition. Access to care and treatment if the condition spirals out of manageable control is critical. Asthma flares during stressful conditions, like a firefight, not making that person a massive liability in combat. Knee problems and back problems mean they can&#39;t walk or run as far and fast as the rest of their unit, again making them a liability, and on a good day they still cannot carry their share of the weight of the team. <br />Also, there is no such thing as recovering from knee problems and back problems, once you are a patient for that kind of surgery, you are a patient for life. <br />A diabetic requires certain dietary changes to the military meals, FOBs and COPs cannot accommodate that, and to say that they can join, but not have the full spectrum of choice of profession based on possible living arrangements will limit them to non-deployable, training limited roles. Not to mention costing the DoD millions in changes to accommodate. No. This is a bad idea.

2014-09-17T07:41:59-04:00 2014-09-17T07:41:59-04:00 Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member 245916

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think it depends on the situation. I have known some people that get illnesses or conditions while in the service that are allowed to stay in on waivers. Some times it maybe more likely that someone who has been in a while and are near retirement anyway. It is subjective and based on the MEB determination. Usually it depends on the severity of the issue.<br /><br />The military is less inclined to allow serious existing conditions in because it may cause more problems in the future. But once they have put the investment and time in training a person they are more inclined to find work- arrounds.

2014-09-18T04:07:25-04:00 2014-09-18T04:07:25-04:00 MGySgt James Forward 1989802

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Well, PFT, lifting heavy stuff, walking long distances...you have to physically fit to be in the Service from day one. Don&#39;t see this requirement get lowered or changed at all. Semper Fi.

2016-10-18T15:59:58-04:00 2016-10-18T15:59:58-04:00 PO1 Sam Deel 7711369

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Master Diver Brashear was Disabled and continued to Serve in the Navy. Numerous others like him throughout the annals of Military History.

2022-06-04T16:47:36-04:00 2022-06-04T16:47:36-04:00 2014-09-17T07:12:08-04:00