Asthma & Military?

Question

Alright, here's my situation.

I've read alot about not being able to join the Military with a background of Asthma. That is, if you have had Asthma after you were 12 or 13 years of age. But if it was before that age, and you don't have it now, then you're ok (in most cases). Here's my case..

I'm a male, 20 Years old, and I had Asthma [according to my doctor] when I was about 15-16. Around that same time I had a pet cat. While I was diagnosed of having Asthma, I never once had an Asthma attack, just kind of a 'foggy' chest feeling sometimes. About a year of using that, I went to another doctor, was told I was allergic to cats. I got rid of my cat, then ditched the Inhaler, because I felt I didn't need it anymore, because I didn't have much trouble breathing after that. So I don't know if it was a small case of Asthma, or I was allergic to cats.

Can I still join the Army?

-So are you saying it depends what job i'd be looking to go into? In all honesty, i'd be either going..

18B
18C
11B

I plan on signing an 18X contract no matter what, that way if I do fall out, i'll end up as my 2nd choice anyway (11B). I know it's a TOUGH & DEMANDING job, no doubt, none at all. But I would put out as much as I could for a job like that.

Don't they check for Asthma somehow at MEP's? I know they have tests for it, I don't know the specific name though.

Answer 1

if your medical records state that you were diagnosed with asthma past age 12, your are PDQ. at best, you can request a pulmonary function test(on your own dime). this might be enough to push a waiver through..assuming you pass it.

Answer 2

Asthma is an allergy and is triggered by something. The best non medication treatment for asthma is learning your triggers and avoiding them. Common triggers are smoke, dust, mold, mildew, plants, dust mites, pets and grass/weeds.

If you can not figure our your triggers, you may need to see an allergist and have allergy screening done. This may point out your triggers.

The National Asthma Prevention Program and the Expert Panel of Diagnosis and Management of Asthma both agree if you have to use a prescription inhaler such as albuterol more then two time per week, your asthma is NOT in control and you will need a prescription controller medication.

Controller medications are steroids (Asthmacort Asthmanex, Flovent, Pulmocort), Leukotriene modifier (Singulair, Aculade, Zyflo) or mast cell stabilizers (Cromolyn sodium, Intal, Tilade).

You may want to talk to your doctor about several strong controller medications and maybe Xolair shots.

If you want a proven, all-natural way to cure your asthma, without having to pay for useless medications with harmful side-effects, then this is the most important page you'll ever read.

Answer 3

You CAN NOT join with a history of DIAGNOSED asthma. I would never recommend service if you have asthma, but if you truly don't have it then remember, the recruiters and doctors at MEPS only know what you tell them, HINT HINT, they won't and do not even have the means to research your past, if you admit something it is your recruiter who has to research it and apply for medical waiver.

Answer 4

i had a similar situation and i joined. i just never told the army i had asthma, and it hasnt affected me since. just make sure its not gonna come back. but if it does when youre in, its ok, they wont kick you out for developing asthma. i told my recruiter i had been diagnosed with asthma, they asked me if it was a problem for me, i told them that it wasnt, they said, "then youve never had asthma" just make a personal judgement on your part. find out what youre gonna have to be doing in the military, and if you think that your asthma may come back to bite you, forget it, if you dont, go for it. that, and unless you give it to them, the army will never see your medical records, theyll just create new ones for you.

Answer 5

Sounds like you didn't have Asthma, but an Allergy. Allergies from pets won't keep you from being in the Army.

Answer 6

Well i think you should be fine, as long as it hasnt acted up and dosent prevent you from doing anything. the most youll have to do for it is maybe get a waiver which isnt all that hard i had to get on when i joined the army.Hooah

~Roo~

Answer 7

I know several people in various military forces with asthma. as long as it is under control and you pass the physical there will be no problems if t hat is what you want