Bumed

[Itsmi11ertime]

OK.. this is going to be slightly long winded, but I feel more info better an answer.


In 2010 I tried enlisting in the Coast Guard, I was told that after doing all my paperwork, taking the ASVAB and submitting all my medical records (due to being advised to list asthma that was under the age of 13 and has not been an issue in adulthood what so ever). I had adequate proof that I did not have asthma and that the diagnosis was actually (or changed to) "Irritated Airway Disease" which is not RADS (Reactive Airway Disease (Syndrome)). This diagnosis occurred at 9 years old - which from my understanding is not really significant if there is no issue in adolescent and adulthood.


In any event.. I was told by the coast guard recruiter that I had been disqualified because of food allergies and that would be permanent because you cannot have food allergies in the military. I DO NOT have food allergies - this was based on a test done at 9 years old when they rediagnosed or diagnosed me as having the irritated airways bit.. on that test it states: "no allergies of any substantial effect on the patient" on the second page when it gives the skin results it showed "irritation" to certain types of food that I literally eat everyday and ate back then without issue. At the time I did not have the means or insurance (I just got hired at a new company and my benefits did not kick in yet) to take a test to disprove this told the guy this and got busy with a new job.


Fast forward to 2013.. I am trying to enlist in the Marines.. everything is going good until I get ready to go take the ASVAB again.. turns out the Coast Guard submitted my file and it had to be transferred over. Transferred over and it says I have P3 DQ.. well.. my recruiter and the office cannot quite understand how I have a DQ from MEPS considering I NEVER WENT. They find out it is because of asthma.


Am I on glue or is something not adding up here.. CG tells me one thing and then I come to find 3 years later that it's something else?


I submitted to the Marines the SAME files I gave the CG recruiter, no where does it say asthma. I have a letter from my current doctor saying that I have never been treated for asthma in his care (2008-Present) (also included in what I submitted), a letter from my pediatrician (Birth - 2008) saying that I was diagnosed with irritated airways disease in 1995 and I have not had any issues - any recent (high school and beyond) issues with breathing were due to upper respiratory infections. All of which is proved in my records from 2005-2010 (the time of dealing with the Coast Guard).


Also (I think) I saw somewhere that you get a letter about being disqualified? Never got one. Never signed anything, never saw paperwork on this, so naturally I am completely in shock. I was expecting to at the most have to take an allergy test.. definitely did not expect to hear "asthma".


Now, I did the activity level statement and honestly it sounds like all I do is physical activity (and since quitting smoking in Aug last year I definitely run further and faster than ever and I'm 27.. I can maintain a 10 min or less mile for up to 7 miles).. I'm a substitute teacher so I do have I guess a decent level of free time.

Typically how long is the process for BUMED? I understand the longer the better.. I did the paper work on the 29th of may. The whole thing with the coast guard just seems a tad bit fishy. I don't know I'm having a hard time understanding why I was told something not true to form obviously. I don't even understand BUMED's role in general. Do they send me for further testing? Do they make a decision without further testing? I have no clue.

Thank you in advance Marines for all the help.. It truly is greatly appreciated.

Similar Threads:

• My Bumed
• Waiting for BUMED
• BUMED Waiver
• BUMED Waiver

[Lisa 23]

Typically how long is the process for BUMED? I understand the longer the better.. I did the paper work on the 29th of may. The whole thing with the coast guard just seems a tad bit fishy. I don't know I'm having a hard time understanding why I was told something not true to form obviously. I don't even understand BUMED's role in general. Do they send me for further testing? Do they make a decision without further testing? I have no clue.

Thank you in advance Marines for all the help.. It truly is greatly appreciated.

The Marines here cannot give you the answers you are looking for. You are just going to have to wait it out, no matter how long it takes and hope for the best.

[doc h fmf]

Jaime it may be 3months May be 6months,but usually when you are medically disqualify you usually wont get in,the second time around. Usually they dont wanrt to mess around becauser just incase something happends, but anyway I wish you goodluck

Stephen Doc Hansen HM3 FMF

[ChuckH]

So what's the deal? You started a thread about a tattoo waiver back in April:
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...-Tattoo-waiver

Also you stated before in the other thread you were 27 years old????

[Itsmi11ertime]

So what's the deal? You started a thread about a tattoo waiver back in April:
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...-Tattoo-waiver

Also you stated before in the other thread you were 27 years old????

Yes I did because initially I needed a tattoo waiver .. I am 27 (just turned in April).. While trying to get in to Meps to take the asvab and the physical turns out the coast guard had "claimed" me in the system in 2010 (at that time I thought I wanted to go into homeland security and figured since its the same department and i'd train at the facilities) honestly outside of the intel program that the sole reason i was going for it.. They told me I was disqualified for food allergies and at the time I was between jobs and could not afford to go to a specialist to disprove that.. They never on e told me asthma.. Due to the fact that my job at the time was extremely time consuming (I was on call 24/7) and then caring for a sick grandparent, military too the back seat. Once all that had cleared I was looking into the officer program for USMC because I knew I was really missing a part of me be not having enlisted.. I was denied for tattoos.. Which ok.. I then again just refocused got back to teaching.. But truly still felt I was not in the right place then I walked into the recruitment office in Feb.. The recruiters told me it could be a problem because of the tattoo on my neck.. The operations officer said to do the waiver.. So I've done all that paperwork.. I also interviewed with the company commander..

So I cannot go to do the physica if bumed doesn't approve the medical.. I did the level of activity statement.. I was told by the recruiting office that they coast guard really briefed me incorrectly because the asthma or breathing issues were PRIOR to my 13th birthday.. I have documentation and medical records stating any breathing difficulties was due to upper respiratory statements.. The Marines have everything that the coast guard had and no where did it say asthma.. The coast guard told me to put it down because I had it at one point and again had the paperwork to disprove it.

According to Meps I had a p3 dq which is asthma.. Never knew was not informed.. Never went to Meps.

So this needs to be approved then I have to get the waiver approved for the tattoo.

[Itsmi11ertime]

Jaime it may be 3months May be 6months,but usually when you are medically disqualify you usually wont get in,the second time around. Usually they dont wanrt to mess around becauser just incase something happends, but anyway I wish you goodluck

Stephen Doc Hansen HM3 FMF

ThNk you.. There is just so much confusion on my part.. I hear conflicting stories researching so I know bumed is really unpredictable.. I have almost 20 years with no breathing issues and I can run pretty darn good (5 k in 28'20") for a 27year old former smoker of 10 years. So who knows.. Thank you I've got my fingers crossed..

[Itsmi11ertime]

In my defense I looked at the military when I turned 23.. After college (transferring schools made me a super senior).. So yes I am "old".. But I did start letter on..

[dizark]

Bumed took about a month to two months for my waiver back in 2008. Depends on how booked they are. I don't know if this holds true, but I was told the first half of each month they devote their time on officer packages, the rest on enlisted. Mine came back during the second half of the month.

Also look into getting a breathing test done at a local doctor on your own time and dime. Bring the results in to be submitted with anything other paperwork they may need.

[Itsmi11ertime]

Bumed took about a month to two months for my waiver back in 2008. Depends on how booked they are. I don't know if this holds true, but I was told the first half of each month they devote their time on officer packages, the rest on enlisted. Mine came back during the second half of the month.

Also look into getting a breathing test done at a local doctor on your own time and dime. Bring the results in to be submitted with anything other paperwork they may need.

If you do not mind my asking what did you need the waiver for? The one recruiter told me like 2 weeks.. But at the same token he was going to push the tattoo waiver as fast as possible (under a month). Who gives pulmonary tests? Do regular doctors? Because I was considering that.

Maybe if its true that enlisted is end of month then ill find out in a few weeks.

Thank you, Sir.

[fl1946]

We applaud your efforts to join the Marine Corps but do you see yourself staying in as a career or doing one or two cycles? 27 years old may be ideal in civilian world but for the military and the Marine Corps, it may be a tough climb (literally!). Don't want to discourage you but magic 30 (years old) is not far away. Good luck.

[Itsmi11ertime]

We applaud your efforts to join the Marine Corps but do you see yourself staying in as a career or doing one or two cycles? 27 years old may be ideal in civilian world but for the military and the Marine Corps, it may be a tough climb (literally!). Don't want to discourage you but magic 30 (years old) is not far away. Good luck.

Haha.. I know 30 is around the corner (however its more like a one year anni of my 29th..).. My intention is to have a career.. My goal is after 2 cycles to transfer to warrant or commissioned officer. I cannot see only doing one or two cycles especially after fighting this hard for it..

[Rocky C]

Hahahaha... That was Great. In your mind you will always be 29 after that just celebrating the anniversary of the 29th Birthday. My Mom used to say that God Bless her...

You are making progress. Keep moving forward.

Best of luck to you.

[Itsmi11ertime]

Hahahaha... That was Great. In your mind you will always be 29 after that just celebrating the anniversary of the 29th Birthday. My Mom used to say that God Bless her...

You are making progress. Keep moving forward.

Best of luck to you.

Lol thank you Sir! Great minds think alike! There are many 29th birthdays in my future.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

[Tennessee Top]

FYI, you don't just "transfer" into the officer corps. After a couple enlistments (cycles) you will be too old to qualify for a commissioning program. Warrant Officers are the technical experts in their fields. Each year, a board is convened to select candidates for the Warrant Officer school (and then The Basic School). Competition is extremely keen and only a handful are selected. There are only a few Warrant Officers in the entire USMC. Not saying you can't do it; anything is possible, but it's certainly not something you can plan on happening (the odds are overwhelmingly against it).

Asthma (irritated airway disease) is a sticky subject and an automatic disqualifying medical condition. Having said that; an approved waiver from BUMED would surprise me (but, I've been surprised before). Although you have not had symptoms as an adult, you did have a diagnosis as well as a P3 DQ rating. Doesn't really matter at this point how that rating got in your records; it's there permanently. There is a gamble on BUMED's part now. During each recruit cycle (bootcamp), there are recruits who develop irritated/reactive airways either from physical exertion, pollutants in the air, or a combination of those/other factors. These recruits are medically dropped from training. Depending on the severity of their condition, they are either treated and put in a holding platoon for observation, or discharged and sent home (worst cases). Most never had any symptoms before arriving at the recruit depot and probably no diagnosis at all. So, BUMED has to decide if you are a good enough risk to warrant the expense of sending you to the recruit depot (and back home again if medically discharged). Proof of a recent positive pulmonary function test (any pulmonologist can order one) would help them in their adjudication if it's not too late to add to your package. Doubt they would send you for a PFT as that would again just add to the Government's expense. Much easier/cheaper, and less of a gamble, to simply deny your waiver.

Read the "similar threads" below your original post. Let us know how it works out for you and good luck.

[Itsmi11ertime]

I wanted to say thank you.. I have not been able to really get online for a while..

I am still waiting.. Apparently it had not been submitted.. It has now went in last week.. The SSgt in charge has taken over my process.. So I'm still waiting.. I was told should know in 2-3 weeks. He seems to have a positive outlook (which helps calm me).

Tennessee Top - I know it may not happen, was just a goal or something to work towards. I have been weighing it out, from my understanding it is much more stressful as a reservist officer because your people may not take the job as seriously as their active counter parts. We shall see. Thank you for your input.