Air force and asthma?

I posted a question a few days ago that didn't really get any real response, so I deleted it. I propose a new question, thus:

I'm in the process of joining the Air Force ROTC. When I was 15 I thought I had asthma, which I tried to convince my doctor of also because I was ignorant. He sent me to do a series of pulmonary tests, which I passed. However, my doctor still gave me a few different asthma treatment medications to "try out" to see if they would help whatever the h*ll I was trying to say I had for whatever juvenile reasons I'd come up with. I never really took the medicine properly and eventually faded it (not filled a prescription in a year) out because I knew it wasn't really doing anything, as I had no illness to treat.

I've not had any problems out of my lungs and know I could pass another test. I can do all of the physical requirements, and have been a martial artist for around six years with little to no issues with breathing. I even smoked for a while when I was younger and never had a problem.

My question is thus: if I provided this information to my examiner and agreed to be seen by a secondary pulmonologist, would what would my chances be of either not receiving a DQ or obtaining a waiver?

Sorry for the long question, I suppose I'm long-winded. Please send any opinions or knowledge my way.
Additional Details
I phoned the doctor who diagnosed me today and was informed that I had been diagnosed with "mild persistent asthma" but I seriously doubt I had anything at all that wasn't just in my head.

hollywood34731

I was diagnosed with "exercise-induced asthma" when I was 11 and was still accepted to the USAF Academy with that on my record. I was open and up front about it. During my junior year there, I was going through the medical test to get my pilot qualification and it disqualified me. I did the pulmonary function tests and went through the process to get the diagnosis from my childhood declared a misdiagnosis. It worked and I got my PQ.

Asthma is not a disqualifying condition for joining the military, but it is for certain jobs. Also, for AFROTC, you will not go to MEPS like some people on this have stated. That is for people enlisting. You will go to a DODMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) examination station and will continue to get medical check-ups throughout college, culminating in a full physical your junior or senior year.

HollyyMarie

if you did NOT actually get diagnoses with asthma
you will NOT be disqualified

hollyy

edit - now that i saw the additional details, talk to a recruiter and don't listen to what people say and lie or do not tell. they will find out and when they do ohhh youll wish you hadn't. better safe than sorry

Curt J

Asthma after the age of 12 is a permanent medical disqualification and is unwaiverable.
The use of inhalers, is also a disqualification.
Your doctor said you don't have asthma, so you need to tell the Air Force "No" to the question of asthma and keep your mouth shut about the inhalers, if you really want to enlist.

golden r

First do not listen to anyone telling you not to say anything. You will only cause yourself problems later on. And for any of them that are in the military or going in the military, SHAME ON THEM. Integrity is a hard thing to get back once you throw it away. Get the medical documents from a recent pulminary backflow test along with a statement from you and your parents on the severity of your issue as a child. It is a disqualifier if you are over the age of 12 but is commonly misdiagnosed so I have seen several waivers apporved over the past few years, in the army anyway. Your best bet is honesty get with your recruiter he/she will guide you through the process

Pat

Get a copy of the Pulmonary Function Tests. Those should clear you through MEPs. (The same test cleared me.)
Or just don't tell anybody and they'll never know the difference (seriously).

Added: Contrary to certain people below me, having asthma discussed in your medical record is not an automatic disqualification. Being *diagnosed* with asthma is a disqualification. Even if you were diagnosed, it is waiverable.

I have been through the process for USAF. If you were diagnosed, MEPs will disqualify you with the option to appeal to USAF Medical with a Pulmonary Function Test acting as proof.
If you go in with a copy of that PFT in hand, the MEPs doctors may even clear it right there.

As a general rule: everything and anything in the military is waiverable, especially when it comes to getting fresh recruits.

Good luck!

just don't tell them anything. if you don't tell them, they have no reason to check your medical background and they won't. i promise...they won't. just don't say anything. i repeat-don't say anything. and don;t get all nervous at the end of the day and let it slip out, cuz that'll just piss off the people at meps. they won't check or be suspicious if you don't say anything. they dont care. they're not as sneaky as you think they are.

BeenThereDoneThat

The best thing to do is not tell the AF anything...If your condition was not at all a bit serious, ignore the entire matter altogether. When they ask about it in your medical history, don't say anything. They are not able to find out...and your not really lying anyways, you don't have asthma! Even if you can obtain a waiver, it would prolong your departure, and really creates more paperwork for somebody who doesn't need it.

Good luck

smtfs2113

If you can handle long long runs you will be fine. Martial Arts really doesn't require that high of a lung capacity compared to long runs.

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