We get a lot of emails from a wide variety of folks with diabetes, but when we received an email from a newly diagnosed Marine, we knew we needed to find out more about this guy! Nick Lozar is a captain currently stationed in Quantico, VA, where he lives with his wife and 2-year-old daughter. It was while stationed in Virginia that he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in October 2009, and recently joined the ranks of insulin pumpers.
This year, Nick will be back on active duty with the Marines. After hearing about the troubles PWDs have serving with our country’s Armed Forces, we wanted to find out how Nick managed it. We’ll let him take it from here…
A Guest Post by Nick Lozar, US Marine
The United States Marine Corps. The few. The proud. The diabetic? Ten years ago when I swore an oath to protect the nation in any clime and place, I would never have thought that acute onset type 1 diabetes would be a battle for which I would have to prepare. Nevertheless, on October 23, 2009, the unthinkable occurred as I walked into the emergency room at Dewitt Army Hospital in Fort Belvoir, VA, with a random glucose of 361. Every day since that day has been its own new adventure.
Upon learning that I was now a person with diabetes, my first thought was that my career as a Marine was over. This was further solidified by the fact that almost every medical professional I spoke with initially advised me to start preparing for medical retirement and life after the Marine Corps. At only 10 years of service, and with no desire to end my active career, I chose the path of most resistance — the path back to full active duty.
The first step in this fight was the medical board process, which, while a concise and thorough process, is not exactly a rapid one. The time between diagnosis and my return to full active duty was just shy of 11 months. During this process, I encountered many people who simply assumed that I was finished in the Marines.
Most people I talked to automatically grouped me in with their frail, diabetic grandparents, and just assumed that I could not continue with my service, let alone deploy. The typical conversation would go something like this:
Them: “Man, too bad about getting diabetes. Will you have to get out?”
Me: “Hopefully, no. It looks good on me being found fit for duty.”
Them: “But you can’t deploy.”
Me: “Why not?”
Them: “Oh…can you?”
I think I had that conversation at least 15 times.
These naysayers (while speaking with my, and the Naval Service’s, best interests at heart) would eventually be silenced as I was found Fit for Continued Active Service, and then Fit for Full Duty by the Marine Corps. This did not come without effort, as I sought the recommendation of numerous senior officers and physicians who were willing to put their names on the line for me, as well as scores of other people serving as resources, who were able to triumph despite the odds and misconceptions of the condition.
Numerous individuals, from Soldiers and Marines to Ironman athletes, gave me insight and hope that I was not fighting a losing battle, but rather an uphill climb. I was lucky to have a civilian physician at Bethesda, MD, who was willing to back me up on staying in. My previous physician just assumed I would not be found fit, so I found a doctor who would support my efforts. Most senior officers whom I sought out for references had no issue with supporting me once I laid out the facts on my condition, treatment, and overall scenario.
Now that I have joined the ranks of the insulin-dependent, I look back on my career as a logistician and realize that my occupational field is a significant reason for my retention. As a logistician and a senior captain, my duties both home and abroad will settle me in a situation where I do not fear lows or other issues associated with type 1.
Logistics, in the civilian wold, is called supply-chain management. It involves acquiring and moving gear from the warehouse to the warfighter, both at home and abroad. Had I been an infantry officer or an aviator, my chances of being able to fulfill my duties would have been inconceivable, 
and I would have gladly separated from the Marine Corps. Since I am not of a combat arms specialty, I hold no fear that I cannot fulfill my duties, or that I pose any threat or liability to my fellow Marines.
I now stand ready to return to the operating forces as a Marine, as well as a diabetic (I don’t mind the label, I actually prefer it). The misconceptions around diabetes that span from severe to ridiculous confront me at every turn, but I have been able to blast through them thus far and I will continue to fight them — for my own career and to pave the way for those who may follow me. In addition, I will use my time in service to share my knowledge with peers and senior leaders to better educate them that diabetes is not a disability.
Way to go, Nick! Stay safe and keep educating!
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Awesome. I’m glad to know that you are willing to fight to keep yourself doing what you love to do. And thank you for your service.
awesome, thanks for your service and for your story!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your service to our country!!!
Fantastic! Good for you for persevering. Thank you for your committed and continued service.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DiabetesMine, JCampbell. JCampbell said: DiabetesMine: In the Marines with Diabetes (Semper Type 1) http://bit.ly/gK9b4z #diabetes [...]
Nick, thanks for working hard for yourself and others who will (hopefully) follow you. And thanks for all your work on our behalf.
Thank you for your service…you are a genuine inspiration!
Hoo-rah!
If that’s you on the MTB you’ll be fine! It’s perfect way to keep fit while controlling diabetes.
Good Luck!
My Mr 10 who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last year wiull be very heartened by your post. He loves everything military and for the past year has thought that he can’t be an ‘army man’ when he grows up. Fingers crossed that if he wants to he can.
Thank you for working so hard to stay in the Marines!! I have type I and work as a therapist with many kids with type I. Over the years, many kids have wanted to go into the military and have struggled with the general “sorry, you can’t”. Your story gives me hope that the “no” won’t always be there! Thank you for all you do and good luck as you walk the journey of diabetes!
What an inspirational story, Nick. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. Good luck to you as you get back to active duty, and to echo what other commenters have said: Thank you for doing what you do for us.
Congratulations on your continued service; your story is definitely inspiring. I would further argue that your background as a logistician will prepare you exceptionally well and help you succeed with your diabetes. As diabetics (I prefer the term too), we constantly need to think of inventories, rates of depletion, contingency plans, supply chain management; in short, many of the same concepts you probably deal with on a day-to-day basis in your job. It takes a lot of discipline, forethought and organization to be a successful diabetic; I believe you have the tools and preparation to be among their ranks.
Congratulations on being able to stay in. I was in the US Air Force and aquired Type 1 in Jan of 98. I fought the battle to stay in for about a year and half and I lost. I worked on A10′s aircraft. The VA had taken care of me. I got a BS in business on the VA tab, so it has been a blessing in a way.
Loved getting to read Nick’s story! Great post! Thank you Nick for your service and your example of perseverance for all diabetics!
Wow, what a great story!
So proud of you son. Keep up the good fight and keep writing, it is a valuable resource to others.
SEMPER FI, Mom
Semper Type 1! I congratulate you in your service! I myself am a Type 1 diabetic (diag. in 1991 when i was 28). I also have family members in the service. Thank you for continuing and wanting to continue in the Marines.
i hope people read this my name is cody stieglits im 16 ive wanted to be a marine since i was 6 i was diagnosed with type one diabetes 2 years ago i read 2 lines from this my heart started racing i got hope i was told by several people in my family my friends and a marine that i couldnt be one guys is there any way i can enlist im serious its been my lifes dream to enlist can someone tell me how? am i even elligible for the reserves?
Very strong statement for all of us who have diabetes and want to do everything without restrictions…As stated by others “Way to make us proud.”
[...] U.S. Marine Nick Lozar penned a guest post with this opener: “The United State Marine Corps. The few. The proud. The [...]
Sir,
I am happy to hear that someone else has dealt with this and was able to stay in. I am currently diagnosed about 3 yrs ago and I will be at 13 yrs on 28 may 2011.
If possible I would like to get more info on the process and challeges you encountered to stay in as I will have to start this battle in about 3 months to be able to saty in. I am Gunners Mate In the Navy (GM1) and would really like any guiadance and advice you may have on this.
Thanks for your time and inspiration.
Jason
thats awesome. i graduated high school in 2010 but in 07 i was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. i was pissed. my dad was in the air force and i couldn’t join anything. i really wanted to be a marine but as soon as i dropped the “d” word they stopped calling. including the Navy Officer who came in my house gave me a quiz, and after I scored high he asked me if I needed to say anything and I said the “d” word and he just said “oh” and left and i never heard from anyone again. it sucks but im glad someone made it. your an inspiration
I am 15 and I was recently diagnosed with type 1. I want to be in the marines so bad but i dont think that will happen..
i just turned 21 yesterday and have wanted to join either or marines/army my whole life, but was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when i was 14 but am in great health. they tell me i can join though, when i have buddies in the service who tell me all the time they have a bunch of guys in their units with diabetes and over seas and such. if you are able to help or give me any information about me being able to join while having it that would be greatly appreciated. and thank you for your service to our country
es bueno saber que no te rendiste la diabetes no es un fin ni un comienso es una enfermedad que requiere ajustes a nuestras vidas gracias por tus servicios por cuidar de nosotros semper fi marin
I’m a 25 year old Sgt in the Marines as well and was just diagnosed as Type 1 3 weeks ago after walking into the ER with a BS of 495. At 7 years in I was and still am planning on pushing through to full retirement. Is there any advice you can give that hepled you out more than anything else? Im currently in a non deploying command but cant wait to get back out to the fleet and hopefully deploy again.
Hello im danielle im 12 i was diagnosed wen i was 5. Ok im american and i want to join the chinese navy .hopfully i will but im diabetic can i join the navy
Thanks for good advice, I am 15 years old who was diagnosed t1 diabetic 4 months ago. I don’t lose my hope on my future and will become a solider just like you
I am 12 years old and I have just been diagnost with type1diabedes and my life long dream is to be a Unted States Marine. I thought that dream was lost after I herd I have type 1 but because of your story now I know I can still do that thank you for your story and for your service. SEMPER FI.
For everybody considering the military that’s a type 1, I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but this story is about a man who was already in the military just like myself. He, being an officer, managed to pull more strings than I could and managed to stay in. Type 1 diabetes is not compatible with active duty miltary, therefore you aren’t able to join. If you’re in and have type 1 then your most likely gonna get medically separated or medically retired (like me). Good luck and keep your head up!!!
Congrats!!! You’re post is the FIRST positive post I have found linking Diabetics and Marines (or any of the branches of duty towards the country). I am mentally exhausted with persons thinking that having diabetes is a disability. I was diagnosed with diabetes at 11 months of age and I (and my family) DO NOT find it a disability. Thank you for this post, it shows me that persons thinking are now changing.