Asthma and the Navy

[DRock and Daflota's Mom]

Does anyone know the process of enlisting with asthma? Everything I have read it's an automatic denial. Any help on navigating the process?

[lemonelephant]

Think about the amount of exertion that happens at BC and could happen later in the fleet; the Navy is not going to risk an attack that could potentially endanger the recruit or Sailor or others. There have been reports on here of recruits being separated who had not had an asthma attack since age 3 or 4 who had problems when doing the PFA.

Sometimes waivers are given for asthma, but it is rare. If you have a second one wanting to join the Navy, then have that one get a lung function test and take the results to the recruiter and to MEPS if he gets that far. If the lung function test reveals no evidence of asthma, then the chances for a waiver are much better, but if they indicate a current problem, then be prepared for denial to enlist. As with most medical conditions, the longer it has been since an attack and the longer it has been since medication or intervention has been required, then the better the changes are that a waiver will be granted.

[WyomingNavyMom]

My son has never had any type of asthma or any lung issues. He was prescribed an inhaler when he had a cold once at 12 years old. He never used it but because it was prescribed he was nearly denied entry. We had to jump through many hoops to get him into MEPS. He also had to get a waiver. It was a mess. We were told that asthma was an automatic denial of entry. 

[LeAnn ⚖]

My daughter has a waiver for asthma granted by the Navy. She passed pulmonary testing given at MEPS to measure lung function.  In general, asthma is an automatic disqualification for military service.  The Army and Air Force declined to speak further with her once they were aware of the asthma and medication.  Navy championed her cause and arranged the testing.  Since she entered the Navy (10 years ago), she has not taken any pulmonary medications.

It is important to disclose medical issues or other criteria asked on the enlistment form.  Better to address that prior to joining any military branch than the medical staff learning of a known issue or prescription from records then remitted by the civilian doctor.

[Katymom5]

My son had asthma as a kid.  He hadn't been on any medication since 5th or 6th grade.  He did tell his recruiter about it and so they started the process of getting a wavier.  It took a year.  Had to have pulmonary test, copies of medications filled by pharmacist (that was difficult since there had been a merger and had been so many years)  Then a letter from the Allergist saying he hadn't been seen in X amount of years.  Then a letter from Allergist saying he did not need to be seen anymore ( that was a difficult one to get the doc to write).  By the time every thing was done (they asked for one piece of info at a time instead of telling us everything at once)  he pulmonary test had expired so he had to retake that. 

Does your child still use an medication for it?  I think that is what makes the difference.

     

[LeAnn ⚖]

My daughter was using meds up until she signed on with Navy and has not used any since.  She provided all of her medical records to MEPS prior to the pulmonary test - passed and received a waiver.