What will my recruiter and I talk about on my first visit ?

John Dickerson — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 16:25:39 -0500

What will my recruiter and I talk about or discuss on my first visit ? Do we discuss medical issues at the recruiters office or do I wait till I go to meps to discuss medical problems ? I was treated for asthma but never diagnosed you can read about it in 1st post . Will they dq me the second I say I was treated for asthma 5 years ago . I know if they test me for asthma I’ll pass . Im probably just over reacting.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 18 at 2019 4:27 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 16:27:21 -0500

John, try to be patient; and try not to worry. John Dickerson I send my prayers and my hugs. -Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired P.S. John, I wish truly, that I could remember what my Recruiter and I talked about; but I don't. I apologize greatly for this.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Feb 18 at 2019 4:30 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 16:30:24 -0500

Don't answer questions they don't ask. In other words, don't volunteer stuff. This isn't a physical with your family doctor.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2019 5:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 17:06:46 -0500

I first went into the recruiters office in September of last year. They do go over everything that you’ll have to go over at MEPS because they have to send all of the paperwork in. When you say “treated for asthma” I’m assuming you mean an inhaler. They ask you two questions in regards to that.

1) “Have you every been diagnosed with asthma?” Y/N

2) ”Have you ever been prescribed an inhaler?” Y/N

When you answer yes you have to explain why and you’ll most likely need to get a note from your doctor saying you never had asthma.

Your recruiter will go over everything you need. You’ll have extra hoops to jump through if you answer yes which might delay the process or disqualify you all together. But then if you say no and it turns out you DO have asthma and you suffer an attack during your career you might get a dishonorable discharge under fraudulent enlistment, which could destroy you.

You have to make the decision on your own on whether or not you have asthma and/or have had an inhaler and answer the same when you get to MEPS.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2019 7:56 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 19:56:41 -0500

Don't ask questions to try and game the system. Go talk to your recruiter.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2019 8:17 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:17:52 -0500

I walked in for my first time 6 days ago and it went pretty well. I brought a list of questions and we sat there and went over them. After that I took a practice ASVAB and gave me a application packet to fill out then I was on my way. Wednesday I’m going back in to get myself a date to take the PiCAT, also if you score well on the practice test they recommend you taking the ASVAB that up coming week but it’s your choice on what you want to do! Me personally I’d study so you feel confident taking the test!

Response by SPC Richelle Rice-Simms made Feb 18 at 2019 9:34 PM

SPC Richelle Rice-Simms — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 21:34:03 -0500

If you were not diagnosed, do not mention it. I was a recruiter aid and unless things have changed drastically, do not start dirtying the pot!

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Feb 19 at 2019 2:10 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 14:10:53 -0500

The first sit down will likely be a screening session to see if you meet the basic requirements: medical, moral and intellectual. Once that has ben established your recruiter will go through an exercise to determine how what we have to offer can satisfy what you are hoping to gain by enlisting.
Most importantly make sure you explore every option for choosing your occupational field. Your ASVAB scores will be of utmost importance in determining what you qualify for.
As far as the inhaler you have only 1 honest option: Get a letter from the doctor who prescribed it stating why it was prescribed and that it is no longer needed.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Feb 20 at 2019 6:12 AM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 06:12:33 -0500

As a former recruiter, I once had an applicant go down to MEPS and say that he had asthma. I had asked all the appropriate medical questions prior to going down to MEPS and he never said anything about this. He was never diagnosed with it. He came up with this little gem from his grandmother. He had been out playing and running as a child and came back out of breath. His grandmother told him he must have asthma. The MEPS asked for medical docs. Of course none existed. We finally had to get him a pulmonary functions test, which he passed, and finally was able to enlist.