Docs

[futuremarine]

Alright, here's what happened! I was talking to a Coast Guard Recruiter and he sent my papers into MEPS to be reviewed. Well he said the papers came back I couldn't physical because of my "childhood" asthma. Then a Marine Recruiter got a hold of me and said that all I needed to do was take a pulmanary function exam, which I am scheduled to take on Monday. I have no idea what's going on or if this test is a waste of my time? My other question is, before MEPS "supposingly" DQ'd me, did they take a look at ALL of my records to see that I was fine and didn't have asthma now or anything else disqualifying OR did they just take a look at the asthma and say, "he's DQ'D"?

Thanks

[Seeley]

Not sure on that one. Wish I could help you but the best bet is to talk to your recruiter and have them find out. Its their job to do that for you.

[CAS3]

The reason I was released from active duty ...asthma.
A pulmonary functioning test (PFT) takes 30-45 minutes. You blow in and out really hard into a giant machine. It measures your lung capacity. It is great to do even if you haven't had any asthmatic symptoms since childhood. You will definetly know if there are any residual effects.
IN the late 90's the reg's changed on asthma. You could not go into the military if you ever had asthma.
NOW, If you had it before the age of 12, you are tested if there are no residuals you can go in.

P.S. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING...COAST GUARD???
GOOD LUCK
Hope it all works well for you.

[jenrmurray]

I've been in the office a few times when the Recruiters were talking to kids who said they had asthma and they always said that is a show stopper. But ya- I think if it's something that happened when you were a kid but went away, you can do the breathing test where they measure your lung capacity to make sure it is up to snuff. It's not a big deal- I am pretty sure they use the thing where you have to huff into it and it tells them how much of your lungs you are using.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

I had asthma, and I still have asthma, although the effects aren't present very often. If you want it, you can get it. If you fail the PFT test they give you, spend more time doing PT. That will increase the capacity of your lings, and in turn may just be enough to get you past the test.

[futuremarine]

Good News, I passed the pulmanary function test/exam this morning. My lungs are perfect the doc says, no problems what so ever. I got documentation and the results from my test to give to my recruiter. I have an appointment with my recruiter tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for the replies and the advice I appreciate it.

[22DevilPup87]

I just got the good news on my cell from ya! Woo hoo!

[Sixguns]

Each service has it's own standards and waiver process to enlist folks. "If you don't take a chance, you don't stand a chance" -- ME!!!

The PFT and a consultation with a doctor are key ingredients to getting a BUMED waiver for service in the USMC. THe process may take some time, but it will be worth it!!


SIXGUNS

[OJK]

Medically, it's well established that childhood asthma can disappear at about age 12 and may never come back. Some may get it again at advanced age beyond the age of active duty. Regs are supposed to be designed so that some one doesn't come in with a physical disability that may lead to their being discharged as having a service connected disability that actually existed prior to service or having a disability that would interfere with their military duties.

OTOH, passing or not passing has varied from one service to another and, for individual examiners, from one day to another. I well remember when I signed up with the Navy as a medical officer, the corpsman asked me if I had "divergent strabismus" (wall eyes) when I walked in the door. I suspected he had just learned a new word and wanted to test it. I told him, "No", and that I didn't have time for my physical that day and would have to come back another day. The subject never came up again.

It sounds like a good sense decision for you to have passed despite a history of childhood asthma.

Congrats!!!!

:)

[Chrisab508]

hey Echo_Four_Bravo you said spend more time doin PT to raise your lung capacity, does that mean physical training? I really wanna get into the marines and im sure my asthma will lead to trouble.

thanks.

[yellowwing]

I have heard that the Coast Guard is harder to qualify medically. A school buudy had been medically rejected by the Coast Guard but the other service recruiters wouldn't leave him alone!

Do you want to spend six years picking up Cuban boat people or fight in every clime and place?

I am glad you got accepted for recruit training! Holy sheet, I just saw the dates on the original post, July 19 2003 . Any news from futuremarine?