Coeliac disease and career progression

[Dp1679]

I’ve just been diagnosed with coeliac disease, for those who don’t know it’s basically a condition where you have to avoid eating gluten for life. The consequences if you do ingest gluten can be quite damaging.

The question I have is does anyone know anyone else on service with this condition? The medical staff have told me it won’t lead to discharge and that my medical grade will change; meaning I won’t be sent anywhere where my dietary needs can’t be met. This poses a few concerns for me :

1. How is this likely to affect my career in terms of promotion ect?

2. will I still be able to deploy on operations ?

3 . Is anyone aware of guys serving with this condition who have had a good , long career?

sorry if the questions seem bone I have asked medical staff but seem to get the same stock answer every time which doesn’t fill me with the greatest confidence !

 

[dingerr]

This man had something very similar, but very severe, they never did get to the bottom of it.

Olaf Schmid - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

He got on with life, passed his AACC, did his jumps and served in a unit that closely supported the SF. He did tours.

He had disturbed nights sleep due to the pain and stomach cramps. He’d get up and sit in a chair to try and alleviate it. He never moaned, he never whined, he just got on with it.

Nothing was hidden from the Army, as much about was known of his condition was fully documented. Full diagnoses was still ongoing when he was killed.

 

[Gerber]

I’ve just been diagnosed with coeliac disease, for those who don’t know it’s basically a condition where you have to avoid eating gluten for life. The consequences if you do ingest gluten can be quite damaging.

The question I have is does anyone know anyone else on service with this condition? The medical staff have told me it won’t lead to discharge and that my medical grade will change; meaning I won’t be sent anywhere where my dietary needs can’t be met. This poses a few concerns for me :

1. How is this likely to affect my career in terms of promotion ect?

2. will I still be able to deploy on operations ?

3 . Is anyone aware of guys serving with this condition who have had a good , long career?

sorry if the questions seem bone I have asked medical staff but seem to get the same stock answer every time which doesn’t fill me with the greatest confidence !

I have gluten intolerance, so I know what your feelings when eating a nice piece of cake or drinking a beer.

What happened to me, I got MND temporary, whilst I had all my test with NHS. Once results were in I got upgraded to MLD permanent.

Since then I have had recommendation for promotion with 3RO. I have also been posted abroad.

In regards to having a long career I got diagnosed in 2017.

Hope this is of help

 

[Dp1679]

I have gluten intolerance, so I know what your feelings when eating a nice piece of cake or drinking a beer.

What happened to me, I got MND temporary, whilst I had all my test with NHS. Once results were in I got upgraded to MLD permanent.

Since then I have had recommendation for promotion with 3RO. I have also been posted abroad.

In regards to having a long career I got diagnosed in 2017.

Hope this is of help

Thanks mate that has definatly helped put my mind at ease!

 

[bee20]

I have gluten intolerance, so I know what your feelings when eating a nice piece of cake or drinking a beer.

What happened to me, I got MND temporary, whilst I had all my test with NHS. Once results were in I got upgraded to MLD permanent.

Since then I have had recommendation for promotion with 3RO. I have also been posted abroad.

In regards to having a long career I got diagnosed in 2017.

Hope this is of help

Did they provide Gluten free meals whilst posted? how was it?

 

[morsk]

I’ve just been diagnosed with coeliac disease, for those who don’t know it’s basically a condition where you have to avoid eating gluten for life. The consequences if you do ingest gluten can be quite damaging.

The question I have is does anyone know anyone else on service with this condition? The medical staff have told me it won’t lead to discharge and that my medical grade will change; meaning I won’t be sent anywhere where my dietary needs can’t be met. This poses a few concerns for me :

1. How is this likely to affect my career in terms of promotion ect?

2. will I still be able to deploy on operations ?

3 . Is anyone aware of guys serving with this condition who have had a good , long career?

sorry if the questions seem bone I have asked medical staff but seem to get the same stock answer every time which doesn’t fill me with the greatest confidence !

i doubt you won't get promoted for not eating sandwiches to be honest.......

 

[Cyberhacker]

This may be of interest... although things may have changed in the interim, but JSP950 is on 'web

Coeliac Disease in the Armed Forces - a Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence

Please consider this as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 1. How many of the currently serving Armed Forces personnel are known to have been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease whilst in service? 2. What are the numbers for each service group (RN, Army and RAF)...

www.whatdotheyknow.com

 

[Jrf195]

Hi just wondering how your diagnosis went for yourself?
I was diagnosed some years back but tried to join the army after my diagnosis. I passed my selection at the assessment centre then after a few months before starting my phase 1 was told I had been rejected due to my condition.
Any thoughts on this and potentially any help on what I can do?
Cheers

 

[CannonFodder72]

I have coeliac diagnosis too from 2015 and am still serving. It does not effect my work one bit.

In answer to your original questions and anyone else that is reading:


1. How is this likely to affect my career in terms of promotion ect?

I have been promoted since 2015, although not eligible for automatic 20/22 year contracts, they keep renewing at 5 year intervals.

2. will I still be able to deploy on operations ?

Depends on your role/career manager/unit. I have GF ration packs - made by the same provider that supplies the MOD and can deploy to main bases overseas that can cater to gluten free diet.

3 . Is anyone aware of guys serving with this condition who have had a good , long career?

I'm aware of nobody else but most people probably don't realise I have coeliac so there is probably a few of us out there.