Can I join the Army if I’m 19 and had asthma from the age of 12 till 15?

2019-02-19T20:55:46-05:00

I’m 19 and was diagnosed with mild asthma at 12 and at 15 I just quit taking the medication and forgot about and have never had a attack no signs and I took a PFT and my lung function was above average . I thought about not even bringing it up because many people said that asthma is a PDQ and they would only know I had if I told them . My question is can I join the army if my asthma no longer affects me and I have above average lung function on PFT ?

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Feb 19 at 2019 9:12 PM

2019-02-19T21:12:22-05:00

They’d prefer you bring it up! But as an adolescent it’s always questionable! Personally, I’d let the system pass/fail you and serve your country if they let you. All the best! Asthma is always the beast of questions and answers on here...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2019 9:26 PM

2019-02-19T21:26:21-05:00

Well, it seems like you will meet the requirements of needing a waiver due to having it past age 13. Also you need to show were a Doctor cleared you, simply not taking the medication any more means nothing.

You could decide not to tell them and see how it works out. Honestly, they really wouldn't know unless you told them. But with that I challenge you this, do you really want to start your Army career off by not living the Army values?

Another thing to consider, if you do end up having an issue while serving and it is determined that you withheld this information, you could be charged with fraudulent enlightenment...

My opinion is to disclose it, get a waiver and get your career started right.

Best of luck

Response by SPC Richelle Rice-Simms made Feb 19 at 2019 9:42 PM

2019-02-19T21:42:23-05:00

Since you've brought it out in the open, you will now need a waiver. I always told my prospective recruits before I even started the process that if they were really serious about joining to come to the table with the idea in mind that they had a clean bill of mental and physical health....that is all.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2019 9:50 PM

2019-02-19T21:50:52-05:00

If you want to join the military, you will make statements and have to fill out forms. Honesty is the only approach to take no matter what anyone else tells you. Withholding information will come back to bite you down the road. In addition, one of the core values of the Army is having Integrity.

https://www.army.mil/values/

Army Values

The seven Army Values are the foundation of the Army Profession.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2019 7:21 PM

2019-02-20T19:21:04-05:00

Report it. The recruiter should be able to request a waiver. If you have been active in sports or other strenuous activities, have documentation to support that in case it is requested. There is no shortage of discussion on medical pages and of medical studies regarding remission of asthma, and whether the asthma may have been misdiagnosed and the symptoms were due to allergies. The recruiters on here can tell you how successful waivers are for asthma, but the only real test is to see your recruiter.

DoDI 6130.03
4.2. PROCEDURES.
a. Applicants for appointment, enlistment, or induction into the Military Services will:
(1) Fully disclose all medical history.

5.10. LUNGS, CHEST WALL, PLEURA, AND MEDIASTINUM.
e. History of airway hyper responsiveness including asthma, reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, after the 13th birthday
(1) Symptoms suggestive of airway hyper responsiveness include but are not limited to cough, wheeze, chest tightness, dyspnea or functional exercise limitations after the 13th birthday.
(2) History of prescription or use of medication (including but not limited to inhaled or oral corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or any beta agonists) for airway hyper responsiveness after the 13th birthday.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2019 9:32 PM

2019-02-20T21:32:49-05:00

2 options:

1.) Report it, try to get a waiver.

2.) You developed Asthma "After" you joined. I'm sure your recruiter is a fine NCO that wouldn't ever do this thought.