Any Hope?

[rocco36]

Well today I went to the NROTC office here on the Jacksonville University campus and spoke with someone about possibly enlisting. Well according to reading, the majority of people thought it would be best to be upfront. So I told him that ever since I was little it has been my duty to be a part of the armed forces to serve my country, however, I have asthma. Conversation was dead. Essentially he told me that the Navy's Medical Bereau has had a lot of issues with asthma and they're cracking down. I have had a prescribed inhaler, but rarely use it. In honesty, I think it is just habit to always have one around. I just don't know what to do. I brought up the idea that say I passed a Pulminary Function Test, would that grant me a wavier? I didn't feel like there was any hope. I don't know what to do. The only thing that is going through my mind is that I can do this **** without an inhaler, run my ass off and prove I can make something of myself, to be the best. But then I question if it is really worth it to try anymore. I guess this is post is a good way to "vent" my disappointment, but I'm also looking for suggestions or help. I fully understand that the Military has rules on medical conditions, and they're there for the sake of performing the mission safely and successfully, but it's just a lifelong dream of wanting to wear a uniform and being denied. Kind of feels like running into a wall or something. Oh well, life goes on. I guess I am just wondering if there is still hope, or if it's pretty much gone. Thanks.

 

[Slammer2]

It sucks when something you don't have control over keeps you out. Good luck.

 

[erabe07]

Rocco36-

I have had some experience in the OCS application process. I'm sure little bits come up in everyone's process to delay it, but mine seemed to take forever. One thing I soon realized that everybody you ask will give you a different story. The processers say different things then the recruiters, and the recruiters say different things then the doctors. The forms they give you say different things then everybody. Granted, I have not had to deal with an asthma issue in particular, but I would continue to pursue the process. The recruiters are there to help you get into the Navy. I would be upfront with you recruiter and tell him something like the following. "I have a strong desire to join the Navy and I think I can be a valuable addition. I don't think my asthma is serious enough to warrant disqualification. I want to go through the application process and I am serious about this committment". Then ask him to find out the next step for you. You're going to need to take the ASTB, PRT, get security checked and have a physical regardless of this asthma business if you want to be an officer. He should do his best to find out the details for you, such as in what order you should do these things. If your application is anything like mine you'll do the entire application except you'll have one or two check boxes on medical screening forms that confirm you may have or have in the past had asthma (in my case allergies). When they board sees this package they'll either flat out reject you or they may ask you to get examined further (more likely if the rest of your package is good, especially ASTB and GPA). Then you check into the waiver business and whatever else they specifically ask for. Worst case is you have to mess around in the application process on and off for a few months and eventually they turn you down. If this is what you really want, that's a small price to pay for making sure you did everything you could to get in. If they had denied me I'm sure I'd have been much happier knowing I did as much as I could to get in, but that the decision was out of my hands.

 

[rocco36]

rabe0030-
Hey that was a good reply in response to my situation. I know for a fact that my asthma condition isn't severe at all. It's hard to really determine how severe it is at this point because I haven't taken any type of tests to determine if asthma is present in me. But from personal experience, I don't see it as a problem. I haven't dismissed the idea of enlisting, but what I think I am going to do is aquire all of my medical records first to have on hand. Second, I am going to train myself for Physical Training standards...more so the running. I can do the 1.5 mile in 11:00 minutes. I have been running 2 miles everyday of the week on a treadmill in addition to weightlifting which I have been doing since 8th grade. As far as running on the treadmill, I purposely didn't use my inhaler, and after I was done, I didn't experience any signs of breathing problems. This week, I am going to be running on the track outside without using an inhaler to see if the outside climate causes problems or not. But my mentallity right now is to get all my records, work hard, and then go back and give it a shot. I want to make damn sure that I am competent in myself before I enlist, rather than find out during PT or something. But thanks to all that have replied so far, I appreciate it.

 

[Fmr1833]

rocco36-
Seriously, never give up when it comes to recruiters unless they flat out say "No stinkin' way". When I enlisted in the Marine Corps I was still rehabing from knee surgery and had to go through the waiver process over my recruiters objections. But I did it and served for 7 good years before deciding to go through the NROTC for a commission. One thing, however, please be honest with yourself about your condition. Sometimes folkes on this site get ahead of themselves and give bad advice. This may sound brutal, but my time in the Corps taught me that the service is more important than you are. We all have hopes and dreams, but if your condition could possibly put some Marine or Sailors life in jeopardy somewhere down the line, this may not be the dream to go after. I have seen guys with asthma make it - I also saw one who was unable to keep up during a squad drill and we had to stop our advance. If it was the real thing we would have been sitting ducks on the wrong side of the pond.
Food for thought, good luck and Godspeed in your decision.

 

[rocco36]

Fmr1833-
I appreciate the words of motivation and everything. As far as being honest with myself, I guess I am going to say 50/50. I say that because I so far I am doing fine, but things could change. I haven't gotten to run outside yet because it's finals week here and I have way to much to do, so I'm just saying 50/50 for right now. I can assure you that my condition has only bettered for me. But I won't give up on it. I also have a couple other things that might set me back for awhile too. I had a cancer tumor about 3CM in diameter which I had removed about a year and three months ago, also I currently have a hernia right now too which I haven't got surgery on. I didn't think about those factors when I walked in. I just have to get my stuff taken care of, and then take another stab at it. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to talk words of encouragement. Thanks again.

 

[American_Ace]

Hey rocco, I went through this with DODMERB for ROTC/Academy. I was prescribed an inhaler when I was 9 and I can tell you what they put me through.

I had to take the Pulmonary test, like you mentioned. Basically, they have you take deep breaths, to the best of your ability in a tube (they measure everything: lung volume, strength, etc), then they give you an agitant, and see how that affects your performance. They continually increase the dosage and monitor the results. The agitant affects everyone, but if it causes your lung capacity (it might've been something else) to drop below a certain line (which is 80% I believe), then you are diagnosed with asthma. I couldn't help you with the cancer or the hernia, but I'm sure it can be resolved.

Good Luck

 

[lombs18]

So American Ace, would you say to not tell them you had an inhaler at 9. Or do tell them and go through the process to prove you dont have it any longer?

 

[American_Ace]

It was a hellaciaous process, and I don't regret not lying, but if I had to do it again, I probably would lie.

Although, I had to track down all my medical records for DODMERB, which were spread out all across the country (and Germany) b/c I had a military family that moved a lot. Then, I had to fly my ass out to San Diego to get the tests done b/c all of the military bronchologists in AZ had been deployed to Iraq and the airfare was cheaper than having the test done by a civilian.

And I was positive that I didn't have asthma because I had only used the inhaler once or twice, even though I was very active in sports and I lived in extremely hot and dry climates.

So it's really a personal call, but I know if you lie and they find out, then you are uber-f*cked, so you should probably be positive that you're clear if you refrain from telling them. And then, you have to lie every time it comes up in the future, so it's really your call. I probably got a 'worst-case' scenario though.

 

[Fmr1833]

If you are joining the military for self-serving reasons, go ahead and lie. If you take the time to realize that lives may be placed in your hands, you will be honest. As a pilot or NFO you may be responsible for a crew and not just yourself. Try telling some mom who's kid died when you had an asthma attack and ditched a P-3 because of it that you were 100% sure you didn't have asthma because you could play soccer without a problem. Far-fetched? Maybe, but that's the kind of real-life situation you could find yourself in. Not trying to attack anyone on here so please don't take it this way. It's just that I've seen too many officers who think that they're in this thing for themselves, and they're not.
Note on asthma: If you present symptoms after your 12th birthday, you have some kind of respiratory defect. But don't take it from me, go to this link:
147.248.153.52/robo/projects/cc_help/Asthma.rtf-21.doc

What you will see there is a memo from a Command Surgeon in the Army talking about the military-wide rules governing asthma waivers. Of note, he mentions that in a 2000 conference all services agreed that asthma present after the age of 12 was non-waiverable. A previous poster will disagree with that since he passed the MCT test (the one with the agitant), however, in 2003 the services stopped using the MCT test because thay found that itwas flawed. Statistics show that 60% of those with asthma presenting after age 12 will recur at some point in their life. 70% of asthmatics had problems with agents found in gas mask filters, 40% of asthmatics had severe reaction to said filters. So if I was an asthmatic, I would realize that I have a very serious chance of recurring while on duty.
Perhaps the most telling quote from the report was, "An asthmatic who has not had symptoms for years may become completely debilitated and be in a life-threatening danger if placed in an environment which stimulates his/her dormant asthma."
Please do not lie about this issue and for all of you out there participating in this forum - don't encourage folkes to lie to get into the service, the military is supposed to be honorable.

 

[American_Ace]

Sir you're right. Don't lie. I shouldn't have supported it. I was out of line for not condoning lying, and that's weird b/c I've never had an issue with honesty (until now). I'm sincerely sorry and as FMR1833 said, lives are on the line. Maybe you DO have asthma but the only time you will ever be stressed enough for an asthma attack is during combat or a worst-case scenario (with a planeful of airborne in the back on a short-field take off). Seriously, listen to the guys who've been there and disregard my previous post and keep in mind that I didn't lie, so I don't know whether or not you could get caught (but if you're truly honest you won't care whether or not you can get away with it).

 

[feddoc]

From the waiver guide:

"WAIVER: A history of asthma is CD for military service and for aviation training, even if very mild. Waivers for aviation applicants can be recommended if: 1) Asymptomatic for a minimum of five years, 2) Primary physician or specialty consultant document an otherwise normal history and physical examination, 3) Normal baseline PFT's with post bronchodilator (<15% change in FEV1) and Methacholine/Provocative testing being negative."

There is much more info regarding waivers and asthma here: http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Nami/WaiverGuideTopics/respiratory.htm#Asthma


From your post: "I brought up the idea that say I passed a Pulminary Function Test, would that grant me a wavier?"

It may be a part of the evidence package which will work in your favor. It is certainly in your favor.


I would suggest you go to the link provided here then take a printed copy of the info provided from it and take it to the NROTC office.

Waiver process here: http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Nami/WaiverGuideTopics/wavrnf.htm
Cancer info here: http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Nami/WaiverGuideTopics/malignanciestumors.htm

PM/email/post again if you have questions.

Good luck. Your situation is not without hope.

I commend you for your honesty.

 

[rocco36]

Thanks to everyone, you've all been a major help with my issues. I agree with everyone about being honest. I had buddies who are in the NROTC program at my school and they told me to not even mention it. But when i got there, I just couldn't help to tell them the truth. Feddoc, thanks for those links. I am in the library right now so I don't have much time to really read them, but I will definately take a look at them. As far as Military questions, I don't really have any at the moment. However, I do have something regarding Civilian Aviation (Helos/Fixed Wings). Does anyone know of any jobs that would hire a pilot, say a Law Enforcement Helo Pilot, for just Daytime postions? Anyways, thanks a lot to everyone for helping me out with everything. Take care and good luck with whatever the future holds.