Posted on Nov 4, 2016
If I'm being separated for unsatisfactory performance (failing two PT tests), does being diagnosed with asthma cancel the separation process?
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So I failed two PT tests and in between the first and second I started going to an allergist who might be diagnosing me with asthma. My chapter packet is complete and ready to be turned in to the separation authority on Monday. If I get a letter about my asthma or other legitimate breathing problems will this cancel the chapter, and start a medical discharge? Because I read my chapter packet, and it says "without medical limitation failed two record APFT's" so if I have asthma, that means it was with medical limitations. I'm trying not to get the boot with a general discharge if at all possible if it turns out I really do have asthma.
Medical
Army Regulations
Discharge
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
It starts and ends with your unit leadership...So go see your 1SG (after requesting an audience though your platoon sergeant)
Start with, 1SG I WANT TO STAY IN....Im not looking to get out...(if that's true). I failed the APFT and I dont like that.(if thats true) ..Doc says I have treatable asthma (if you do), let me prove I can do this.... Hold the separation for 6 months, let the treatments kick in so i can do the work to make this right.
Unless you have already burned that bridge of good will, I'd bet the 1SG will take it to the commander and tell him to shelve the packet for a bit, lets see what the kid can do..or words to that effect.
The reg says the commander must "initiate " seperation,, that has been done.. the reg does not say you MUST be separated for APFT failure...that is something you will EARN..as will not being seperated be earned.
Start with, 1SG I WANT TO STAY IN....Im not looking to get out...(if that's true). I failed the APFT and I dont like that.(if thats true) ..Doc says I have treatable asthma (if you do), let me prove I can do this.... Hold the separation for 6 months, let the treatments kick in so i can do the work to make this right.
Unless you have already burned that bridge of good will, I'd bet the 1SG will take it to the commander and tell him to shelve the packet for a bit, lets see what the kid can do..or words to that effect.
The reg says the commander must "initiate " seperation,, that has been done.. the reg does not say you MUST be separated for APFT failure...that is something you will EARN..as will not being seperated be earned.
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Have you ever been treated for asthma? Did you have something in your records that says you had it? Did you have a profile? Because if the answer is no, then you can't prove you failed because of it, especially if you passed an APFT before.
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PFC Jim Wheeler
SSG Jessica Bautista - That's only true if that soldier goes to sick call, which is not something that many new guys will do in certain units.
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SSG Jessica Bautista
PFC Jim Wheeler - Yeah, the whole "tough guy" culture, I know. I have to give the spiel everytime someone refuses to get seen, but leadership needs to be cognizant of issues with their soldiers.
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PFC Jim Wheeler
SSG Jessica Bautista - A lot of times the leadership are the reason why the soldier won't go.
I saw more than a few guys with serious medical problems get treated like garbage by platoon and company leadership.
Doesn't really make a guy want to go get a profile.
I saw more than a few guys with serious medical problems get treated like garbage by platoon and company leadership.
Doesn't really make a guy want to go get a profile.
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SSG Jessica Bautista
PFC Jim Wheeler - No one cares more about you than you. Everyone has to prioritize their health.
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My nephew was diagnosed with asthma and was discharged with a medical and he was Army. If you were seeing a professional about the issues with your breathing (if this is the case), you should have gotten a waiver due to tests pertaining to your breathing; that should have given you the OK to pass on the PT test, until a said diagnosis was established.
Medical waivers do wonders.
Medical waivers do wonders.
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You should quit trying to milk the system and go away. It's way too early in your career for stupid shit like this.
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MSG (Join to see)
SGM Erik Marquez - SGM, how many times have we seen this? If he was one of yours, what would your opinion be?
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PFC Jim Wheeler
MSG (Join to see) - I'm guessing his opinion would be something along the lines of what he posted above.
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SGM Erik Marquez
MSG (Join to see) - I think if you read my too precious responses you will get my opinion.
My point is im not reading this ting soldier as gaming the system... I did not read what he wrote saying he wanted to stay in, fail his apft, be fat and not get kicked out... if that is his intent than I'm right with you
Get out make room for a quality SM
My point is im not reading this ting soldier as gaming the system... I did not read what he wrote saying he wanted to stay in, fail his apft, be fat and not get kicked out... if that is his intent than I'm right with you
Get out make room for a quality SM
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PFC Aarion Ojeda
Considering the fact that I have moderate persistent asthma with a heavy induction from exercise that has only gotten worse since being stationed at Drum, it's not milking anything. It's a documented medical condition, that according to both civilian and military doctors, was severe enough that it was not a surprise I couldn't pass the APFT anymore. Coupled with severe environmental allergies exclusive to NYS that required me to carry an EpiPen, I'm gonna go ahead and tell you that I was not milking. I wanted to stay in, but it's no secret that if I'm struggling to keep up myself, that I'm no use to the infantry anymore. If I'm wheezing just from a short sprint, how am I gonna carry a battle who gets wounded? Or what if someone else goes down because I'm slowing down the team? My BDE commander gave me a free pass with the asthma, allowing me to stay in, but the severe liver disease (non alcohol related, I should note) ended up doing it for the military and i wound up with the boot. Better than a general discharge, though. I busted my ass for the Army, I wanted to make it work. It had been my dream to be a life, but that didnt work out and now I'm having to replan life. But ya know, right. I'm just milking the system.
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Be prepared to accept the discharge, from my understanding you can fight for the classification if necessary.
An APFT failure does not guarantee a general discharge, I know if 3 cases personally that were all honorable because of the nature of service outside of the APFT failure (even though the CO did push for general, legal sent the packet back to be refiled as honorable).
The SGM gave you some good advice, and I would try it if you are interested in staying in. However, don't get your hopes up because I have seen commanders that just don't give a crap.
An APFT failure does not guarantee a general discharge, I know if 3 cases personally that were all honorable because of the nature of service outside of the APFT failure (even though the CO did push for general, legal sent the packet back to be refiled as honorable).
The SGM gave you some good advice, and I would try it if you are interested in staying in. However, don't get your hopes up because I have seen commanders that just don't give a crap.
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SGM Erik Marquez
" I have seen commanders that just don't give a crap." You and it is almost always a direct reflection and response to the SM's previous effort, attitude and work ethics.
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PFC Jim Wheeler
SGM Erik Marquez - I'd bet that is normally true SGM, in the case I'm referring to though the SMs PL and PSG both tried to talk to the CO about giving the guy just 2 weeks to get some of the inflammation down because he was in good shape but was unable to complete the 2 mile run without hobbling the last mile or so because of a knee and back injury.
CO said no dice and tried to force a general discharge through.
CO said no dice and tried to force a general discharge through.
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PFC Jim Wheeler
PFC Jim Wheeler - In all fairness as well, quite a lot of that is on the SM for not getting medical attention when it first became an issue.
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Plea your case with your unit leadership, make it completely understood that you don't want to be separated. I'll go out on a limb here, but I'd say more than 90% of the time, they'll put that chapter on the shelf and give you a shot to prove yourself, especially if you've never had any other issues such as non judicial or negative counseling. At any rate, get your asthma squared away and get soldiering, best of luck brother.
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Depends on the paperwork. Without a waiver your on tough ground. My son coming out of Afghanistan faced problems. Breathing problems, diagnosed as Asthma, breathing shit for 7 months. He worked thru the system at Drum . I don't think he has asthma , but did have problems post deployment. Mitigating circumstances? He's fine now on the promotion select list to E6. Gotta work thru the system.
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I would Had done something Before once I had failed. IF you would Have looked into before the Next PT test You might had no Chapter paper work to worry about it Could have been resolved right there Good Hopefully it will Work out . Keep Me Posted I would to hear from you. SSG MARK FRANZEN
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What it sounds like, is that you don't care that you're getting discharged but you care about the type of discharge and you'd like to reap the benefits of a medical discharge. Unless you are on a p3 p4 profile the chances of a MEB are slim to none. There are plenty of people in the Army with Asthma who pass the APFT.
I'm not sure if your Reserve, NG or Active but on the reserve side, it is rare for a Reserve unit to separate a soldier for APFT our body composition failure, specially if they are under strength. The leads me to believe there is much more to this story.
If you truly want to stay in and willing to put in the hard work, then speak with your leadership about recovery.
Remember, if you are or can no longer be an asset to the Army, then the Army doesn't need you.
I'm not sure if your Reserve, NG or Active but on the reserve side, it is rare for a Reserve unit to separate a soldier for APFT our body composition failure, specially if they are under strength. The leads me to believe there is much more to this story.
If you truly want to stay in and willing to put in the hard work, then speak with your leadership about recovery.
Remember, if you are or can no longer be an asset to the Army, then the Army doesn't need you.
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PFC Aarion Ojeda
I believe anyone who's not mentally inept cares more about the characyerizariok of service more than staying in. A general discharge doesnt help you in life.
In my situation, the Brigade Commander busted up my BN commander for this incident. The BDE Commander was very unhappy with how it was handled, as I had medical documentation stating my condition would reasonably interfere with my ability to perform at the required level. Ended up with a permanent profile that did nothing but hurt me, as I had to work out by myself every day for PT. But otherwise, was allowed to continue service. Asthma and the infantry do not go together very well, and I struggled a lot more than everyone else. But I still carried my own weight.
Also, my unit was horrendous about people who had anything wrong. My unit did their absolute best to get rid of me, despite the fact I was running every single day 2 or more times a day, including weekends, WITH the company commander. They didnt give two shits that I was busting my ass. They didnt care it wasnt my fault, they wanted to chapter me and fuck me over. That unit was absolutely cancerous, both the NCO and Officer sides.
In my situation, the Brigade Commander busted up my BN commander for this incident. The BDE Commander was very unhappy with how it was handled, as I had medical documentation stating my condition would reasonably interfere with my ability to perform at the required level. Ended up with a permanent profile that did nothing but hurt me, as I had to work out by myself every day for PT. But otherwise, was allowed to continue service. Asthma and the infantry do not go together very well, and I struggled a lot more than everyone else. But I still carried my own weight.
Also, my unit was horrendous about people who had anything wrong. My unit did their absolute best to get rid of me, despite the fact I was running every single day 2 or more times a day, including weekends, WITH the company commander. They didnt give two shits that I was busting my ass. They didnt care it wasnt my fault, they wanted to chapter me and fuck me over. That unit was absolutely cancerous, both the NCO and Officer sides.
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