Is it possible to get a waiver for asthma that is controlled by medication?

Janet Williams — Thu, 20 May 2021 15:49:53 -0400

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?

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made May 20 at 2021 3:51 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Thu, 20 May 2021 15:51:26 -0400

Talk to an Air Force ROTC recruiter at your school. He or she can answer if you can obtain a waiver with your condition or if it is truly disqualifying

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 4:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 May 2021 16:25:20 -0400

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.

Response by SPC Cathy Goessman made May 20 at 2021 5:06 PM

SPC Cathy Goessman — Thu, 20 May 2021 17:06:32 -0400

Forget Basic Training. What if you are deployed afterwards and run out of your meds? Is somebody going to have to risk their life so you can be medevaced? You are not qualified to serve in the military when you are dependent on medications to keep breathing.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made May 20 at 2021 5:17 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Thu, 20 May 2021 17:17:51 -0400

Seeing that I've seen asthma and other respiratory problems in the military get people sent home, I'm going to say no. Things may have changed during my career, but I don't believe THAT is one of the things that has changed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 5:30 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 May 2021 17:30:12 -0400

I developed asthma in the service and have a permanent profile but no restrictions. I don't know about a new accession.

Best of luck

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 20 at 2021 9:26 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Thu, 20 May 2021 21:26:09 -0400

1. Talk to a recruiter.
2. Talk to a recruiter.
3. Talk to a recruiter.

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 20 at 2021 9:56 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 20 May 2021 21:56:37 -0400

Ok, you need to talk to a recruiter. They are the only ones that can really tell you what you need. Some here are recruiter but they lack the specifics that a recruiter would have when sitting down with you.

The best anyone can do here is speculate and really I don't want to get your hopes up only to see them dashed. Fair warning though, last I checked adulthood Asthma was PDQ for all branches even if it was managed with medication.

On the flip though, IF you were approved, yes you would have access to any and all prescribed medications that you needed.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 21 at 2021 12:42 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Fri, 21 May 2021 00:42:00 -0400

Medical waivers aren't my speciality as a Medic I never worked in that area.
There's no guarantee you can get your medication while deployed. A soldier could run out. There are many reasons why people are barred from enlisting yet a certain group was allowed in.
Imagine someone who is reliant on a heart medication that MUST be taken every day at roughly the same time. Deployments have so many unforeseen variables.
Allowing a person to join only for them to be 'non-deployable' is not cost effective. People tend to 'lie and/or forget' about past problems and some medical problems b/c some PoS recruiter told them to.
Even if you are honest and all there is risk involved vs someone who doesn't have flagged medical issues.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made May 21 at 2021 11:35 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Fri, 21 May 2021 11:35:05 -0400

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.

Response by LTC Stephen Franke made May 24 at 2021 12:46 AM

LTC Stephen Franke — Mon, 24 May 2021 00:46:38 -0400

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