So my brother is DEP

[trucktech84]

Here's the scenario:
My brother is DEP with a ship date of 10/29/2007. Last week he went to the doc's and was having a rough time breathing, ended up having bronchitis. He also has a history of allergies and some childhood asthma (prior to 13 years of age) and the doc also listed that his allergies may be causing asthma like symptoms.

Needless to say my brother is pretty crushed right now. Both he and I are trying to join the marines and we both know that asthma is a no-go. I have encouraged him to go take a PFT and metacholine test from a pulmonologist, that way he has medical documentation for a mis-diagnosis and all that stuff. And a confirmation of if he actually has asthma.

The recruiter though is telling him that if he has occassional problems because of allergies they will provide him with an inhaler at boot (yes he did disclose he has allergies, Meps approved). I have never heard of anyone being provided an inhaler at boot, and was wondering about the veracity of this statement? It seems to me the recruiter might possibly being trying to meet his quota?

I will direct my brother to these boards, and I am trying to provide him with support in the matter. We do not come from a military family, so everyone is more or less against what he is doing. Similar thing happened to me when I was his age; and I don't want to see him talked out of what he wants to do.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the matter.

[BR34]

The recruiter though is telling him that if he has occassional problems because of allergies they will provide him with an inhaler at boot (yes he did disclose he has allergies, Meps approved). I have never heard of anyone being provided an inhaler at boot, and was wondering about the veracity of this statement? It seems to me the recruiter might possibly being trying to meet his quota?



I didn't see any recruits with inhalers at recruit training. Seems like it would be a medical risk, letting a recruit it who may even possibly need to carry an inhaler around. I'm not expert though, his recruiter is.

Good luck .

[Messenger]

From my own experiences;

I went to basic 21 years ago this Oct 26th. I to had allergies and asthma like symptoms as a child but by the time I was joining the Marines I had no breathing problems for many years. As a Marine I carried an inhaler in my asspack but I can not recall ever using it, none the less it was carried as a percussion.

Your brothers current Bronchitis is a big concern. It is imperative that he be healthy prior to leaving for basic training. He has to get much rest and make sure to take any and all meds as prescribed by his doctor to ensure a speedy recovery. His doctor should be informed that he is scheduled to depart for Marine Basic Training in a few weeks and should be asked his/her opinion in this matter. This should be done ASAP.

If the doctor says to wait a while for recovery then your brother should inform his recruiter immediately so another recruit has time to prepare to take his place for that ship date in which case your brother will likely take that recruits ship date in trade.

I guarantee that there is more then one recruit in your recruiters regional command that will would be all to happy to take off early. This happens from time to time. Some recruits get ill or injured just prior to ship dates no mater how careful they are; LIFE HAPPENS!

Basic training is extremely demanding on even the most fit recruits so it is imperative that you are as healthy as you can be starting off.

Simper FI

[Covey_Rider]

Profile...needs to be filled out.

[Phantom Blooper]

I didn't see any recruits with inhalers at recruit training.

Not going to happen unless one goes to the hospital,casual company(MRP) and home.

Basic training(Boot camp) is extremely demanding on even the most fit recruits so it is imperative that you are as healthy as you can be starting off.



Some of the most fit recruits wish that they were carrying O2 tanks after the drill instructors run their d**k in the dirt.

Stay home get medically qualified and then try.Tell the recruiter and inform MEPS. Better to be safe than sorry and have to bury him without earning the title Marine.:evilgrin:

[Haffner]

Bootcamp May 06 - Aug 06. In my company (as goes for them all) no one in a currently training platoon (non MRP, PCP, etc) was carrying an inhaler with them at any point in time.

I can't say I'm 100% sure of this, because I don't have it written infront of me in good ol' black 'n white, but I sincerely doubt they'd let a training recruit run around with an inhaler. That just doesn't happen (at least from what I've seen and other Marines who I asked after reading this post).

[smoking gunz]

he will get a inhaler in boot. i was dropped for a few weeks for having bronchitis.i was put in mrp and given a inhaler. once the bronchitis cleared i continued with training. it will be up to him if he uses it or not

[trucktech84]

Thanks for the replies. He is going to get a full pulmonary workup tommorow, that will decide his fate.

[killerinstinct]

theres not too many allergies in San Diego if thats where hes goign to bootcamp.

[trucktech84]

So the results are in for my brothers test.....he popped positive on the metacholine test. By the third dose his breathing dropped 27%. So it looks like him being a Marine is a no-go. I just figured I would update whoever posted here. Wish me luck with my OCS packet.............