When i was 10, my family had a house fire, and the doctors told me that i had asthma due to that. From that point on, i was supposed to use and inhaler to help with my breathing. Over time, i noticed that i couldnt stay on that same "level" with my friends because i was constantly stopping to catch my breath. When i was 13, i decided that i didnt want to have asthma anymore, so i stopped using my inhaler, and going to the doctor,and just ignored it all together. When i decided that i wanted to join the military, i was worried about my asthma, and my recruiter told me that if i didnt think it was a big deal then not to say anything.. so i didnt. Now im getting ready to ship out in a few days, and im worried more about my asthma, because a co worker's son actually died at basic because he had asthma, and didnt tell meps. He died during PT from a massive asthma attack. If i decide to tell MEPS, what do you think will be my punishment since I havent shipped out yet?
2007-09-07 14:48:55 · 8 answers · asked by albert r 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
If you past your physical. GO. I had/have a bad back, didn't tell them either. In basic I couldn't carry my seabag on my back, fell right over backwards on the floor, was sent to medical and I was put on light duty but I still went through basic. I was always the last to finish everything but I spent 4 years in the service. If you can breath, you can serve. Give it a try..... I'm sure they took a X-RAY anyway. While in basic, if you fail, you go home.
2007-09-07 15:34:08 · answer #1 · answered by dreamofjustme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you tell them at MEPS, you'll likely be DQ'd and sent home. Not a big deal. If you wait, they'll figure it out during your medical in-processing at Basic and THEN will send you home.. but not until you sit it out at medical while they out-process you.. which is NOT a priority.. and is really a pain in the rear for those guys just sitting there waiting to go home. If, by some miracle, they don't catch it at medical in-processing and you have a problem during boot, it could be a serious problem with long-term consequences, and the DI's wouldn't immediately know what was wrong... which ir probably why your co-worker's son died...
I applaud your desire to serve... and wish I had better news. I suggest you talk to your recruiter and let him know you're not comfortable with not being truthful... and that if that DQ's you, then so be it. That'll save the folks at MEPS and basic the trouble of setting everything up for you.
2007-09-07 19:39:21 · answer #2 · answered by Amy S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will NOT be punished. You will probably not ship. Your Recruiter will be pissed and the MEPS will want more paperwork and it could hold up you going to basic for awhile maybe even a year don't know, every case is different. You need to figure this out soon! When was your last Asthma attack. How was you fitness test the recruiter gave you? Also you will be given a chance to declare everything once your at bootcamp/basic most likely they will keep you there at that point and will monitor you. Again every case is different.
Good Luck
2007-09-07 15:13:11 · answer #3 · answered by Marine Girl 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you have already enlisted, I dont think it will be punishment. I was medically discharged for having Asthma, but that was in the 90's. Now it may not be quite the same. Retention is key in the military right now. What is your MOS? Are you going to a Combat Arms branch (Armor, Infantry etc) or are you going into something in the rear? Transportation, Ordinance etc?
Those will all factor into the decision more than likely. I was Infantry and it caused me to have a medical board and eventual discharge.
2007-09-07 14:58:47 · answer #4 · answered by rmatc4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are that they will just send you home. But asthma is nothing to mess with as you should know.you Gould be a danger to your self as well as to the men your are with in a fire fight. the recruiter was wrong to tell you that.If you did not take the oath of enlistment then there not much they can do. other then that they will send you home.Think about it don't put your self or some one else in danger.
2007-09-07 16:36:42 · answer #5 · answered by george 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Asthma after age 13 is disqualifying for enlistment or appointment in the armed forces. Tell them so they can disqualify you and send you home. There's no punishment. You just don't meet the physical standards.
2007-09-07 15:01:05 · answer #6 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My hubby has asthma, he is Infantry currently in Iraq..E-5, however it has never held him back...
2007-09-07 15:11:13 · answer #7 · answered by LindseyM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should definitely tell someone.
2007-09-07 14:56:37 · answer #8 · answered by chelssix 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋