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Gluten intolerance puts an end to 19-year-old Loke’s big dream.
Since childhood, he has wanted to do military service and defend Sweden – but he can’t.
– I don’t really know what to do with my life now, he says.
Last winter, Loke Arnskov from Skåne sent in an application to be allowed to make a pattern.
But the Swedish Armed Forces said no to Loki.
– I received an email that they refuse me because I am gluten intolerant. I was very surprised because I did not know that people with celiac disease are not allowed to pattern. It feels damn good, he says.
Wants lumpen friends
There are several things that are attractive about doing military service.
– To challenge yourself physically and mentally. But also all that stuff that you hear about meeting lumpen friends. Then of course I want to contribute to Sweden.
The goal has been to become a hunter soldier.
– I saw a series about hunter soldiers on Youtube. I really think it would have suited me.
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full screen Stock image. Conscripts from the fifth amphibious battalion practice landing on Galterö in the Gothenburg archipelago. Photo: Judit Nilsson / Svenska Dagbladet
He continues:
– It feels so unfair that others come up with excuses to avoid the muster, while I am not allowed to muster even though I really want to.
Gets a stomach ache and vomits
If Loki eats gluten, he gets a stomach ache and vomits.
Do you understand that those who do military service will find themselves in environments where it may be difficult to get hold of gluten-free? Both during practice but also in the event of war?
– Yes. But during war there may be no food for anyone at all. And as far as the education is concerned, we live in 2024. It is very easy and quite cheap to get hold of gluten-free food.
The 19-year-old thinks that the decision should be individual.
– Personally, I think that the Armed Forces can say “we cannot guarantee gluten-free”. Then I can decide for myself. Just as I myself decide that sometimes I want to eat chocolate despite traces of gluten.
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The hope is that the regulations will be changed – so that Loki can fulfill his big dream.
– The funny thing is that I really struggle with being allowed to do the rags, but that the Defense thinks I’m too sick. But if there is a war, then they call in a total defense obligation. And suddenly I will be fit for war.
Armed Forces: Understand your frustration
In a message to Loke Arnskov on Instagram, the Swedish Armed Forces write that they understand his frustration.
“Hello. I understand your frustration, but if you are gluten/celiac, you cannot be admitted to a basic education with conscription because the basic education makes special demands on your health and you need to be completely healthy”.
Loki doesn’t buy the answer. He believes that the regulations are not adapted after 2024 – when more and more people discover gluten intolerance.
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What do you want to do now that you can’t pursue a career in defense?
– Working in defense has been a damn clear goal in my life. I graduated last year and don’t really know what to do now. Of course, I hope that the rules will be changed. But it might happen that I have to work with something in forestry instead.
Aftonbladet has applied to the Swedish Armed Forces and the Duty and Examinations Agency.
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