UPDATE Lymphocytic colitis and the military

[ajsmom514]

I posted a topic awhile back asking if I would be able to stay in the military now that I've been diagnosed w/ LC and am on a gluten-free diet. Well, the results are in... I'm able to stay in at least another year (it's reviewed on a yearly basis) with restrictions (Code C-1) on where I can go. I decided to post it on here just in case anyone else that is currently in the military found themselves in a similar situation. I know when I went looking on the internet I found absolutely no info regarding LC/MC and the military. People on this and another forum were very supportive and knowledgeable, but unfortunately, didn't know about the military situation. I can't say that I know much more, I just know what happened with me :) If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[tex]

Thanks for posting that. As you pointed out, information like that is very valuable for anyone in that situation, and very hard to come by, in ordinary channels.

The question in my mind, ever since you first posted about it, is:

Will GF meals be made available to you, or will you be expected to provide your own meals?

Thanks,
Tex

[barbaranoela]

Thats good news to hear----AJSMOM~~~ and I would also be interested to know about your meals----as Tex---asked~~~

Wishing U the best-
Barbara

[ajsmom514]

Well, I won't be in a situation that will require the military to provide my meals, meaning I won't go to a place where I'd be eating MREs or anything. I haven't found anything about any gluten-free MREs. Has anyone else? Anyway, when we're not deployed and we've made enough rank, the military provides us with what's called BAS (basic allowance for sustinance, I think is what it stands for). It's a couple hundred dollars a month for food and such. So I just shop for myself and bring my meals and snacks into work instead of hitting the ol' snack bar. On a normal day-to-day basis here stateside, I'm sure my issues are no different than anyone else that is on a GF diet. My biggest concern was that I had orders to Korea... not a horrible place, I've been there once already. But I didn't think that I would be able to get the foods and doctors there. The military agreed. I'm not sure that they would allow someone who has been previously diagnosed with MC to join the military, but as I have been diagnosed after 10 years in the military, I guess they decided to keep me around. Couldn't hurt that my career field is critically manned or anything. But I thank you both for your support! I learn quite a bit from reading everyone's postings! You are all so very informative that it's definitely made this life transition less nerve-racking than it could've been!

[tex]

Thanks for the insight, and congratulations on finding your own solutions to handle a tough situation in a demanding career.

Concerning gluten free MREs - don't tell the military, but look at the Allergy Free Kosher Entrees, at this site:

http://www.aaoobfoods.com/KosherMREshel ... rgy%20Free

Note that only the My Kind of Chicken, Chicken Mediterranean, Chicken & Black Beans, Beef Stew, and Old World Stew are gluten free, (as indicated by the code number "1").

Tex

[starfire]

ajsmom - Really glad to hear that the problem has been worked out with the Military and so glad they are being co-operative.

Tex, I continue to be humbled by your helpfulness and care for others. How wonderful of you to find a source of gluten free MRE's. Who would have even thought there would be such a thing.

Love, Shirley

[harvest_table]

This is an interesting thread.

http://glutenfreeforum.com/lofiversion/ ... t8015.html

I've found quite a few conversations about diet in military on the internet but I can't imagine for myself, that I could survive much less thrive there in the long term.

Love,
Joanna