Posted on May 20, 2021
Is it possible to get a waiver for asthma that is controlled by medication?
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Hello :)
I am an incoming college freshman. I am hoping to do AFROTC then Air Force National Guard as a public health officer. I learned that I need to pass a medical examination to be eligible for an ROTC scholarship and the National Guard. I know people can get medical waivers if they grew out of their asthma. I've had asthma my whole life but, it's well-controlled and I am able to participate in sports. Iḿ dependent on medication to control my asthma and I need to take my inhaler before I exercise. My main concern is that I won´t have access to my medication during basic training which would result in an asthma attack. I need to have my inhaler and EpiPen near me at all times. I am also worried about the gas chamber part in basic training which would induce an asthma attack. I suppose I have three questions:
1. Is it safe for an asthmatic to join the National Guard?
2. Will I have access to my daily and emergency medication during basic training?
3. Is it possible to receive a medical waiver?
I am an incoming college freshman. I am hoping to do AFROTC then Air Force National Guard as a public health officer. I learned that I need to pass a medical examination to be eligible for an ROTC scholarship and the National Guard. I know people can get medical waivers if they grew out of their asthma. I've had asthma my whole life but, it's well-controlled and I am able to participate in sports. Iḿ dependent on medication to control my asthma and I need to take my inhaler before I exercise. My main concern is that I won´t have access to my medication during basic training which would result in an asthma attack. I need to have my inhaler and EpiPen near me at all times. I am also worried about the gas chamber part in basic training which would induce an asthma attack. I suppose I have three questions:
1. Is it safe for an asthmatic to join the National Guard?
2. Will I have access to my daily and emergency medication during basic training?
3. Is it possible to receive a medical waiver?
ROTC
Potential Recruit
Medical
Career Counselor
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Maybe I am wrong, but a history of Asthma after age 13 is a PDQ. However, that should not stop you from talking with a recruiter to know for certain. Best of luck to you.
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Greetings.
Yours is an interesting medical situation.
** Right off the top, that your asthma is managed (appreciate inhaler -- i.e., Proventil, Advair, Proair, Albuterol, et al? -- but uninformed about that mentioned EpiPen) and that you have been engaging already in physical activity is in your favor.
My advice is that you be seen soon, examined, tested (esp. PFT), and evaluated medically, and then get a statement from your attending pulmonologist that attests to your fitness for enrollment in an ROTC program and follow-on military duty.
** Your attending pulmonologist would be THE credible and competent medical authority for that evaluation.
HTH. Today is Sunday, 23 May 2021.
Regards,
Stephen H. Franke
Lt Colonel, U.S. Army Retired
San Pedro, California
Yours is an interesting medical situation.
** Right off the top, that your asthma is managed (appreciate inhaler -- i.e., Proventil, Advair, Proair, Albuterol, et al? -- but uninformed about that mentioned EpiPen) and that you have been engaging already in physical activity is in your favor.
My advice is that you be seen soon, examined, tested (esp. PFT), and evaluated medically, and then get a statement from your attending pulmonologist that attests to your fitness for enrollment in an ROTC program and follow-on military duty.
** Your attending pulmonologist would be THE credible and competent medical authority for that evaluation.
HTH. Today is Sunday, 23 May 2021.
Regards,
Stephen H. Franke
Lt Colonel, U.S. Army Retired
San Pedro, California
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Janet, I hope you can get into the Air Force, but if not there are many ways to serve as a civilian that are very much like being in the uniformed services. I have a family member who as a civilian has been working for or with the Air Force for many years in a strategic capacity that is much more important than my service as a little 'ol UH-1 pilot was. Find your part and play it well.
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