Will having asthma while in a combat MOS affect my chances of trying out for special operations?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:27:56 -0500

I could potentially have asthma that was undiagnosed when i was younger. I recently had a pretty bad asthma attack and am in the process of finding out what triggered it. Could it affect my chances of trying out for special operations and would it weigh over me negatively seeing that I'm in a combat MOS(11B)?

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Jan 19 at 2018 11:35 PM

A1C Ian Williams — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:35:16 -0500

I cannot answer the question fully as rules change. However, the military cares deeply about medical clearance and your ability to perform your job fully. Can you get both? How is your health otherwise? What was your last PT test score? SPC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by PFC Jim Wheeler made Jan 19 at 2018 11:41 PM

PFC Jim Wheeler — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:41:24 -0500

I always remembered asthma issues being something that led to medical discharge. That may not be the case, but that is what I remember. I would be willing to bet it would make it unlikely you ever go SOF because of the competitiveness of those slots.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2018 11:51 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:51:47 -0500

I would like to think that since the military has relaxed their standards on asthma that had previously barred people from service, then again, it depended on whether you were either non-combat or combat MOS. If asthma was diagnosed prior to the age of 13, people could still enlist.

However, if it is documented on any military or civilian medical paperwork, I would try and get a medical waiver showing no pulmonary effects occur, especially during an APFT. If paperwork hasn’t been submitted, then that really would be up to you to follow up and make sure you are medically cleared to try for a SOF unit. Regardless of the outcome, keep your head up and drive on. SOF units require a lot physically, and I wouldn’t like to see any of my soldiers have an attack on target, in training, or in garrison.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 12:34 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 00:34:29 -0500

Thank you for that tip brother.

Response by PFC Sandra Wade made Jan 20 at 2018 2:48 AM

PFC Sandra Wade — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 02:48:38 -0500

PV 2 Mujahid. I am not active, 1st want to tell you I am sorry you suffer from this ailment. Its possible in time you will recover from this. It may be your location or food items. Don't be afraid to go out of pocket on open market to test theses items. Food allergies can be tested for about 200.00 with a blood tests. Good luck. Hope your lungs get stronger

Response by PFC Dwayne Dittoe made Jan 20 at 2018 4:42 AM

PFC Dwayne Dittoe — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 04:42:34 -0500

i have chronic bronchitis, and i knew this before joining...i did tell my recruiters and my drill sergeants...i was accepted into 11c mos (also have 11b) and even went to, and thru, jump school right out of basic after jump school i spent my service in 82nd...so what i'm saying is be honest, try not to let your asthma rule you, (i had a bad bronchitis attack in basic that laid me out for days but i struggled to do everything anyway (my drills actually had to force me to slow down)) and do your best you should be ok...oh and if possible stay away from cs as much as you can that can really mess you up if you have asthma or bronchitis as it affects your breathing

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 20 at 2018 5:37 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 05:37:18 -0500

Best advice I can give is, get tested to be sure, it may have been an isolated occurence.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 20 at 2018 10:41 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 10:41:27 -0500

It's very possible to affect it negatively- SOCOM has different standards, remember the only trained medical personnel you might see while deployed would be the team medic with much limited resources to what they can carry. I hope you recover and can move forward.

Response by PFC Elijah Rose made Jan 20 at 2018 11:35 AM

PFC Elijah Rose — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 11:35:40 -0500

I don't know why it would if you don't have asthma now, especially if it is undiagnosed. But with beaucracy these day you never know, I met one air force guy who got chaptered because he forgot to tell MEPS he had asthma in grade school. I'd advise keeping it to yourself and if by chance a physical exam shows you have it then pretend to be surprised.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 12:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 12:47:44 -0500

I know developing asthma while in SOF is it disqualifying but I think it might be if you havnt completed the pipeline. I do know if you have an asthma attack while trying to complete any gated or similar events there is no sympathy.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 20 at 2018 1:42 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 13:42:14 -0500

Sadly, the answer is “it depends.” There was a time when asthma was an automatic disqualification or would get you discharged. That is no longer the case.

You can get a waiver for almost anything. What you need to do is make sure that you are the type of guy that they would be willing to give a waiver, if you need one. Make sure that you are great in all other areas of the qualification and testing process.

It also depends on what is in your medical file and what you need to do to address your asthma issues. The simpler the fix, the better.

I would go for it and see what happens. Good luck.

Response by PV2 Dv Michael Persson made Jan 20 at 2018 4:36 PM

PV2 Dv Michael Persson — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:36:48 -0500

To me yes cause it could affect the hole sqaud if ur in a fire fight and have one then when ur suppose to have someone's 6 sorry to hear it brother but that's the trueth

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 21 at 2018 2:06 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:06:36 -0500

All I can say is I never got past the physical in 1988, as I was legally blind in one with 20/400 non correctable vision, been that way since birth, so I kind of expected it.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 21 at 2018 2:07 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:07:40 -0500

Another option for you is looking at Airborne, and or Rangers, if you cut it those levels you may have an easier time getting to that level.

Response by SGT Chester Beedle made Jan 21 at 2018 2:19 PM

SGT Chester Beedle — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:19:47 -0500

I'll be the jerk here since everyone is being so supportive and caring about your feelings.
Your wants and needs at not even secondary right now. The needs of the Army, your unit, your squad are more important than what you want.
Can you guarantee that you won't have an attack while carrying wounded team mate? Or while moving up a hill on an attack?
Or from changing environments on the third day in the jungle in the PI?

You, and the Army, need to make a total no BS, no fluff, no carying about sparing your feelings assessment about whether you are a liability to your unit.
How would you feel because someone on your team or squad were killed because you had an attack and couldn't cover your sector while clearing a room?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 11:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 11:33:38 -0500

Don't die trying to be a hero. Heros can work in offices too.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jan 31 at 2018 12:28 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:28:57 -0500

You can join Civil Affairs or Phyops. SF probably not.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2018 9:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 09:34:48 -0500

Something we had happen in our unit at Ft Drum. You'll eventually get booted, and won't be able to keep up on the runs.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2018 4:40 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:40:01 -0500

Yes

Response by PV2 Ronald Brown made Feb 18 at 2018 11:28 PM

PV2 Ronald Brown — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 23:28:41 -0500

It should not effect at all
But if it does, do not let it get you down just keep working and you will get where you want.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2018 3:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 15:29:37 -0500

(Update). So I have seen a pulmonologist and I am going to see an allergist as well. I took a methacoline challenge test and I am still waiting on the results. It didn't look like I did too well on it. I'm doing another methacoline challenge test soon and a full Pft test. I have been missing a lot of field time and can't do any pt at the moment.. I wonder what is going to happen to me...

Response by PFC Michael Cooper made Mar 12 at 2018 11:52 AM

PFC Michael Cooper — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 11:52:39 -0400

well, it depends on the stipulations for that specific spec-ops, different ones have different rules. that being said, if it was in your contract, they HAVE to give you the opportunity to at least TRY to complete the course, if you fail, they held up their end, but if it wasn't in your contract they are under no obligation to accept you into the course, however, you won't know if you don't try to apply, if you are meeting PT standards, and are a squared away soldier, i see no reason to deny you the right to at least try to complete the course. but even then, even if you were a perfect military specimen, you still might not be selected, but i don't think they would deny you on the sole basis of being asthmatic. especially if you either a, got it after you got in, or b, got a waiver.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 13 at 2018 3:42 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 03:42:54 -0400

The best thing to do is forget you ever had asthma and don't let it be an issue until it becomes an issue.

Response by PFC Rory Prazak made Mar 20 at 2018 8:53 PM

PFC Rory Prazak — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 20:53:23 -0400

If you can’t breathe you can’t perform

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 10:55 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 22:55:46 -0400

Oh yea! But it may not be asthma. I had a case of something that made me feel like I had asthma. Couldn’t go up to the second floor without getting winded. So with great wisdom the Army sent me to the Sinai desert the next month. All good. good luck.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2018 1:03 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 01:03:35 -0400

Also maybe a waiver but. Just talk to a recruiter and see.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2018 1:03 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 01:03:48 -0400

But dont get butthurt if you cant lol

Response by MAJ Frank VansEvers made Apr 8 at 2018 7:38 PM

MAJ Frank VansEvers — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 19:38:21 -0400

if you have a asthma event in combat you will die in place, who will you take with you? think about it. stay away from the combat arms for you friends sake.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2018 1:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 01:15:57 -0400

I have an undereveloped lung, diagnosed COPD and suffered from tachycardia.
Ive gone to schools, and hit selection soon as i hit E5.
Reason i failed was nothing to do with any of it.
Selection cad said that if it wasnt for me not being selected, id have been good off physical effort alone. Dont let it slow you down, just keep pushin till its numb, and you will do fine.

Response by SFC James (JD) Flemal made Apr 11 at 2018 11:53 PM

SFC James (JD) Flemal — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 23:53:26 -0400

It could be enough to trigger a MEB. I could also make you non deploy-able if you weren't discharged. I was a Medical Recruiter and asthma was a show stopper for entering the military. Be prepared for bad news but hope for good. Good Luck