Military Service Question to everyone...

[flyboy53]

Be honest.

If the recruiter is doing his or her job, a physical pre-screening form is part of the initial interview and the medical issue should be disclosed then. Asthma is generally a medical disqualifier for the Air Force and there are two reasons why. (1.) Most Air Force bases involve flight operations or are in those areas where there is lots of dust that could aggravate the issue; and (2.) You never know when it will act up...stress, physical exertion, etc.

That said, the medical pre-screen is critical and this is why. Some branches of our military do not disqualify an individual for asthma. The one I remember the most from my times as a recruiter is the U.S. Navy. Therefore, I would ask him to check with other services first, disclose the issue, and let the recuiter take the lead.

Don't let it get to the point where an ANG recruiter has to do a medical consult and then have the MEPS disqualify him because that will disqualify him from everything.

If the recruiter takes the lead and does everything necessary before hand, your friend may end up wearing a different type of blue uniform. At least he's in, however, with a condition that was acceptable.

[flyboy53]

I just read the other posts...boy you guys are BRUTAL!!!! And some of that stuff was un-called for.

Give the guy some real advise...don't scare him.

[Spike]

I just read the other posts...boy you guys are BRUTAL!!!! And some of that stuff was uncalled for.

Give the guy some real advise...don't scare him.

Not trying to scare, just trying to inform of what could happen should he or anyone else not be honest about medical conditions when enlisting. 

He brought up the lying into play when he posted.  We are reacting. 

[cap235629]

I just read the other posts...boy you guys are BRUTAL!!!! And some of that stuff was uncalled for.

Give the guy some real advise...don't scare him.

Not trying to scare, just trying to inform of what could happen should he or anyone else not be honest about medical conditions when enlisting. 

He brought up the lying into play when he posted.  We are reacting.

YOU are reacting, WE (or at least I) knew exactly who and what we were talking about.  Take a breath and cut the new guy some slack.....

[Short Field]

Now should he/could he potentially leave that part out of the recruitment and see if HE CAN MAKE IT TO MEPS SO THE DOCTOR CAN DECIDE??  THIS WAS ALSO EDITED BECAUSE IT OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT CLEAR ENOUGH...I WOULD NEVER LIE TO A DOCTOR AND ALSO YOU CANT BECAUSE THEY WILL FIND OUT

No, he should not leave that part out of the recruitment as that is lying by omission.   Flyboy1 has the best recommendation - check out the Navy.  You may find it easier to transfer into another service later than to enlist into the other service to begin with.

[Flying Pig]

As an enlisted you don't "transfer" into another service.  You discharge out of one, and re-enlist into another. Thats requires going back to MEPS, and the whole 9 yards....I had to do it myself which is how I know.  Thats probably what you meant but just so theres no confusion with readers outta-the-know.

[flyboy53]

I don't know the kid, but I do commend them for wanting to serve their country. However, know the risks.  Failure to disclose a medical condition such as this does mean fraudlent enlistment: depending on when the condition is discovered.

Don't think that you can hide something, because, I can guarantee, it will come out during something as simple as an ENTNAC security check...especially if someone in your family is aware of the condition. Without going into detail, I can tell you that I saw that happen once.

You should also know that there are three big medical disqualifiers: asthma, dust and wool alergies.

[flyboy53]

As an enlisted you don't "transfer" into another service.  You discharge out of one, and re-enlist into another. Thats requires going back to MEPS, and the whole 9 yards....I had to do it myself which is how I know.  Thats probably what you meant but just so theres no confusion with readers outta-the-know.

You are partially correct. The original thread involved the Air National Guard and that's a conditional release and transfer under a state's Division of Military Affairs/National Guard/etc. In other cases, it may not be necessary to go back to MEPS if the physical and security clearance are still current. I don't remember those deadlines.

[Cecil DP]

5. Try to enlist in a NG unit. If they want you they're easier to get the waiver from.

So are you saying NG is for those who would not make it on AD?        That is what it sounds like. 


.

No, What I was saying is that a National Guard has different rules and the AG can override the Basic Training Command's decision to drop a soldier. BTW I was a member of the National Guard from 1984-1999, so your assignation is totally wrong.

[PA Guy]

Several things......

Waivers can be granted for asthma >13 y/o but it is rare.

The applicant must find a recruiter who is willing to work with them on the issue, this is vital. And a medical pre-screen should be done before ever setting foot in the MEPS door.

The applicant usually has to pay for a methacholine challenge test and an exercise induced pulmonary function test as well as a complete exam as part of the waiver request package.

The MEPS doc can't grant a waiver, they can only make a recommendation.  Waiver authority rests with the parent service not MEPS.

RC waivers are sometimes easier to get than AD waivers.

[Flying Pig]

As an enlisted you don't "transfer" into another service.  You discharge out of one, and re-enlist into another. Thats requires going back to MEPS, and the whole 9 yards....I had to do it myself which is how I know.  Thats probably what you meant but just so theres no confusion with readers outta-the-know.

You are partially correct. The original thread involved the Air National Guard and that's a conditional release and transfer under a state's Division of Military Affairs/National Guard/etc. In other cases, it may not be necessary to go back to MEPS if the physical and security clearance are still current. I don't remember those deadlines.

I went from active Marines to Reserves Army.  I stayed Infantry.  I had to do the ASVAB, MEPS, Pee in the cup, the whole deal.  This was in 1997.  Are you telling me that my recruiter may have just wanted to see me naked?  Because there was an after party also.

[SarDragon]

Why do you think the Navy is any easier on an asthmatic? They have environmental situations just as bad as the other services. We may not spend as much time in the mud, but the air quality on a ship, while not unhealthy for a normal person, can cause problems for asthmatics.

[flyboy53]

In response to both questions. I used to refer people to the Navy who admitted to as asthma because I learned from a Navy Recruiter (back in 1994) that that wasn't a disqualifying condition. They took them even though a waiver was required sometimes. One kid went into nuclear powered subs and was E-6 before the end of his first enlistment.

Reqarding the transfer between services. My favorite story occured back about 1984 when I went TDY to DINFOS at Fort Harrison, Ind. We had a kid show up with a mane of hair that rivaled the lion in the Wizard of Oz. He was a former Marine who worked as a probation officer in Detroit. He got orders, calling him to active duty as a Army Reserve Specialist (E-4). Go figure that one.

The Army leadership in the Company were ruthless with him at first, then sorry, then went out of their way to make sure he had all the appropriate uniforms. He left Ft. Harrison with a full issue. I wondered if he just went back to his probation duties.

[Stonewall]

**NOTE*** I did not read all of the responses so this is purely to the OP....

I am NOT saying go for it and "forget" to put down your medical history that may disqualify you from service.  However, I will tell you a few stories of close friends...one of whom shares my last name.

Former CAP Cadet Wayne:   Accepted to UF and attended Army ROTC there.  During a physical he admitted to some sort of skin disorder and he lost his ROTC scholarship.  They said he couldn't serve, period.  After two years of college without ROTC and a burning desire to serve, he went to a recruiter, DID NOT disclose his disqualifying skin disorder and enlisted.  He was a Cavalry Scout, made it through Special Forces and then got accepted to Warrant Officer Flight School.  He is now a CW-3 flying Kiowa Warriors.

Long time friend Patrick:   Served in the Marine Corps for 4 years and got out.  After 9/11 he wanted to serve again, but this time in Navy Special Warfare.  Unfortunately he is color blind and the job he wanted required good vision.  I won't tell you how, but he managed to acquire the color blind test booklet and memorized it.  He passed with flying colors.  After 8 years, 5 tours of combat, Military Freefall School, 18D medic school, numerous other schools, he is still serving with color blindness.

SSgt Sandy:  She decided after 9/11 that she wanted to serve.  At age 30 she went to a National Guard recruiter.  Knowing she had asthma all her life, but fully capable of running 5 miles and passing any PT test the Air Force could throw at her, she went for it and did not mention her "condition".  7 years later she is still serving without incident.  She is also on a regional disaster/WMD response team that requires her to use specialized respirators and chemical suits...still no issues.

SFC Paul:  As a 15 year old he was in a bad car accident.  He lost a kidney.  Not knowing whether or not it would disqualify him from military service, he simply didn't mention it.  When asked about the scar, he said it was a bad cut from when he fell on a fence.  No one asked any further questions.  Paul has served 16 years in the Infantry, graduated Ranger School and has served 3 combat tours in Iraq.  He has the Bronze Star with "V" device.

It's your decision.  It's a risk to take that could have major repercussions.  But as the British SAS say "Who dares wins".

[Flying Pig]

Live the dream.  Be a Deputy.

[Major Lord]

I suggest you consult with an expert in the field. What one Doc might call "Asthma" another might call a "respiratory allergy" and a clarification of the diagnosis might be helpful in the approach to the military. If you suffer from real asthma, and might require a rescue inhaler, steroids, epinephrine, etc to save you, you could be a tremendous liability to the folks with whom you serve. Please don't selfishly hide a real condition which could result in not just your death, but the death of your brothers in service.

If anyone of you remember the autobiography of Gordon Liddy, he suffered from terrible childhood asthma. He decided to run until he got better or died. It worked out reasonably well for him ( He also ate rats to get over his fear of them, which in my book makes him an honorary Cadet Survival School Merit Winner!)

As others have pointed out, there are lots of ways to serve. Law Enforcement, Emergency Medicine, Intelligence , Private Military Contractors ( Blackwater, etc.) and of course, the French Foreign Legion is also looking for people!

Major Lord

[N Harmon]

As someone who was disqualified from military service due to sports injury, I can empathize with the desire to withhold information. It's not easy to see one's aspirations go down the toilet because of something outside their control. But there will be other opportunities to serve your community and nation.

[flyboy53]

As someone who was disqualified from military service due to sports injury, I can empathize with the desire to withhold information. It's not easy to see one's aspirations go down the toilet because of something outside their control. But there will be other opportunities to serve your community and nation.

YES! Remember there is always the State Guard. Some of them are actually paid for their drills...

[Spike]

Stonewall.  Liars and cheaters are what you listed in your response?  They knowingly lied, one cheated etc. I don't care if they collectively create world peace, bad role models. Should we do bad to do good?     

edit-added the underlined

[Stonewall]

Stonewall.  Liars and cheaters are what you listed in your response?  They knowingly lied, one cheated etc.  I don't care if they collectively create world peace, bad role models.   

I'm not saying it was right.  I'm saying they weighed the risk against the outcome and all of them came out a "winner" in the end.  I think it's time the military stop denying potentially top notch candidates due to illnesses that have little to do with serving in the military.  We have amputees still serving; flying even.

Rather than saying "you have asthma, you can't serve", perhaps they should consider a battery of physical tests.  There are tons of non-combat jobs in the military.  If you're in a job that requires you to wear blues every day, I'm fairly certain you could do the job with one eye, a missing limb and half a lung.


When I was in the Army Guard we had this old Vietnam Vet who had 25 years in and was an E-5.  He did one thing, he drove a bus.  He couldn't run 2 miles to save his life.  He could barely walk.  For some reason they let him continue to serve.  And I was the only one that was okay with that.  Everyone else pointed, laughed and called him a [not so good large body part].  Why?  I'd rather him drive us to training on the bus than have a capable private do it. 

Why not let someone with asthma, one kidney or some stupid skin disorder serve?