Should I lie about my asthma, when joining the air force?

Question

I know I had childhood Asthma, only had an attack like once. I went to some specialist when I was about 12, he diagnosed me with Asthma. Even then I never used an inhaler. I am currently 17 and I still never use an inhaler, no point. I even occasionally smoke and I don’t suffocate or start coughing or wheezing, im fine. I know you can still join with childhood Asthma but, I honestly don’t know the last time I was treated for it; my physician was a sicopath, she use to proscribe inhalers for every cough I use to get. I am scared that if I disclose the fact I had childhood Asthma, they will check my records and find something I am unaware of. So do you think I should lie or be straight forward? I am also scared of the consequences of lying; I heard if one is caught lying they can get a felony on their recorded and a dishonorable discharge. Is that true? The last thing I want to do is **** up my life, all I want to do is serve my country.


Thank You, Sorry if my grammar or spelling sucked, I am just in a hurry. Once again thank you for your time.

P.S Serious comments only, no anti Bush or anti war comments please. Just answer my question, thank you.

Answer 1

No you should not lie. My daughter has asthma too. You can still live normal lives with asthma. My husband is serving his second tour to Iraq and you would be surprised they would probably waive it. Just be honest. Thank you for signing up. We need good guys like you who want to also serve and protect. Good luck.

Answer 2

Do you really have Asthma? It doesn't sound like it from what you wrote. Maybe you should consult another doctor for some confirmation before you do any paperwork. If it was something very serious, you should mention it, but if it was just some fling when you were a child, you should be fine not mentioning it. If you do they may tell you to go and bring paperwork related to it which can be a real pain in the ***.

Keep in mind how the medical system works... If you go to see an Asthma specialist, OF COURSE he is going to diagnose you with Asthma and prescribe inhalers for it and other minor symptoms because he's gonna be making money from it.

Do you have breathing problems NOW that could only be as a result of asthma? If not, you probably don't have it.

Take this advice with a grain of salt though. Make sure a doctor says that you don't have asthma, maybe get it in writing. Lying on your paperwork has serious penalties. Honesty is the best policy.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

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 5

I did when joining the Army years ago, and I had asthma attacks all through basic training and Advanced Infantry Training.

In Georgia.

In the 100 degree summer heat.

Never really could get medication, because the Army would use that as an excuse to discharge.

However, like the men who were under the legal age to join the military in times past, but did so to serve their nation, if I had to lie about something, that would be it.

But think very carefully about your health and how things might be. Asthma on a forced march with a 100 lb backpack is no fun, and dangerous to some folks.

Answer 6

Asthma past age 13 is disqualifying for enlistment in the armed forces. It will probably result in an attack during physical exercise in your basic military training. At that point you will be discharged for a disqualifying condition which existed prior to entry.
What I cannot understand is why someone would deliberately lie about their past medical history and waste the time and energy of people in the military who have to deal with the consequences of that lying. You wanted a serious answer. I just gave you one.

Answer 7

If that's the case about being prescribed with asthma when you were 12, I'd go for it. Don't tell them unless you feel you absolutely have to. I am in the Navy Intel Field... and they do very extensive background checks. Lets just say I have a skeleton or two in my closet and nothing ever came of it. Now I don't know what field you are trying to get into in the air force... but most likely even if you had severe ashthma it wouldnt even effect your job. So my answer... Go for it!

Answer 8

If you are serious about enlisting, do lie. Tell them exactly what you know about your condition. Chances are, since it has been almost nonexistent, that they won't have a problem with it. There might certain jobs that you won't be able to go for, but there are plenty of occupations in the military.
If you get caught in a lie before entering they will bar you from entry. If they find out about it after you are in, they can prosecute you.