I want to join 82nd as an engineer (12b i think?) the trouble is that i have asthma. I havent told my recruiter about my medical condition yet. Currently im on probation and have three months to go, so i got a little time to figure this out, but can i join with asthma? It is the type triggered by allergies, not endurance. If i have to, I will not tell them and just tough it out, even if i die trying. My only concern if i end up having to do this is, how do i keep them from finding this out in my medical records? Can i get a phisical from a doc who doesnt know i got asthma and then sign a release only for him? Or is there a way to get in with Asthma? Help me out here guys, and thanks alot in advance for your responses.

When I enlisted, the answer was no. They kicked a couple people out of basic training that had it and lied about it.

However, with the current war conditions, I've heard they are accepting soldiers with asthma. I'm not sure how accurate this is, but one of my soldiers went to sick call and discovered he has asthma. And they're not going to discharge him because they need soldiers.

As a medic I've seen quite a few soldiers with activity induced asthma and they are still in. So you shoud be fine.

so i got two different answers back, which should i do? Tell them or not tell them and just hack it?

Okay.. CYA... (Cover Your A*%).....
Tell your recruiter, then go see a doctor and get a release that says you have allergy related asthma. If your recruiter decides that you shouldn't say anything at MEPS then don't, and if he does, then you already have a step covered, because MEPS is going to tell you to get a letter of release from a Dr. anyway.

Asthma, allergy related is not a reason to bar a Soldier from enlistment unless it is an extreme case, like dust will cause you have an attack...

Let's just say I have a "friend" that had the same problem. My "friend" gave them the name of his family doctor that he'd had since childhood that was aware of his asthmatic condition, I guess they just didn't check with the doctor because no problems were mentioned or present. My "friend" felt that he had outgrown his asthma, as he'd been off an inhaler since 5th grade. He went to OSUT and never had a problem with his breathing, and no one has ever said anything about it, and he's happy because he wanted nothing more than to have a career in the Army. My "friend" says that as long as you're sure you can do heavy physical activites, and that your allergies aren't so bad to where they're gonna trigger some type of attacks, you should be good to go. He recommends staying away from the Army if you still use an inhaler, but also realizes that asthma seems to go away as you get older, so the call is on you. Some soldiers have died before lying about this, and if you still suffer froms symptoms and get caught in BCT, remember: Up to 10 years and 10,000 dollars for your ass. Bottom line: you know yourself better than anyone, and you know what you can handle and how your body reacts. Don't put yourself or your battle buddies in a bad situation, but don't limit your dreams if you are confident that it's not going to hinder your performance.

If it's not that bad don't worry about it, I have done just fine...

If this is osmething you feel you can deal with then do not even tell your recruiter. When at MEPS they will try to scare you into teling on yourself. Just stick to your guns and say nothing about it and you will have no problems. If you do not tell them about medical conditions you have had in the passed then they have no way to know about them. It is called the doctor patient privacy act. Not to mention if they dont know how would they know which doctor you went to go see? Think about how many doctors are in the U.S.

except I want to joint the Army Reserves...

And I am trying to determine how to proceed.... I had asthma as a child... but I played football and basketball in high school, and I cannot remember the last time I had an attack... I have a left over albuterol I havent used in yrs...

What should I tell the recruiter?


How to get a waiver if it comes down to it?

just don't say a god dam thing.

You know what? I've been in since 97 and I didn't know I had asthma until last year...

There's so many different types of asthma and varied levels of asthma....don't take a chance with your health.

[quote:424d8ad29a]except I want to joint the Army Reserves[/quote:424d8ad29a]

I know that in the National Guard, the question is "when was the last time you used it" If you have not had a problem with it for years there should not be a problem.

I am an Infantryman. One day one of my guys came to me and sid he has asthma. So we got hime some inhalers at the TMC. There's no problem with it. Hell he brings it on runs durring P.T. and takes a couple puffs while he are running. But you should tell your recruter so that he can make arrangements to have inhalers for you at basic so you won't have to suck so much or even die.

dont say anything no one will find out