Can I join the army if I have asthma?

Question

iv heard before that if a person has asthma problems they might not be able to join the army or anything of that type. Is this true?

Answer 1

If you've have any histroy of asthma beyond age 12 you are 100% disqualified from all branches of the military. That's the absolute truth.

Answer 2

Yes and no. If you go through college and join ROTC (Reserve Officer Training) and graduate with your degree and officer status, you can usually bypass the system. But be aware that even in ROTC, you will have to go through basic training (boot camp) and if your asthma gets in the way of rigorous workouts, you could be disqualified.

There are a good many positions in the military that don't require a lot of strenuous activity - like marching through a desert or hiking in pouring down rain. Some people are able to manage their asthma without medications. That's a big plus. But if you are prone to attacks without known cause, that isn't going to earn you any points in your favor.

Talk with your guidance counselor for advice here...

Answer 3

Asthma is a disqualifying condition. If you can control it you may be able to sneak past, but if you need an inhaler or medication to control it, don't expect to sneak it past the instructors at basic or boot.

Answer 4

Technically, no, you can't join.
However, some people do and just don't tell the recruiter.
My husband didn't even know he was asthmatic until about three years ago, and he's been in the Army for almost five.

Answer 5

my son joined the marines. he told them he had asthma. They said no big deal...we have medicine. m

Answer 6

yes it's true...unfortunately since there is such a focus on deployablity...they are even stricter medically speaking

Answer 7

NO sorry