History of Asthma and SA's

S

Shawn

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Jan 23, 2011
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I am a high school junior pursuing a nomination/appointment to the USNA or USAFA. I have already been accepted in the AFA SS and will shortly be applying to the USNA SS. After taking a look at the application to the naval academy SS, I have noted that it asks about a HISTORY of asthma (as opposed to the AFA where I was just simply asked if I had asthma).

I recently heard a story about a qualified candidate being deep-sixed from the USNA admission process because of a history of asthma. I myself have a history of asthma but it has not been on my medical record since I was 13 and I have not used an inhaler since the age of 11 (and even then, I only used my inhaler for one week at my first Boy Scout summer camp). Conclusion: I do not believe I ever HAD asthma.

Looking back on it, the only reason I complained about "asthma" is because I would be breathless after a workout. I was a short and chubby little kid so it was an excuse, I think, to call my lack of physical ability "asthma".

At the present, I am in top physical shape -- I can nearly max the CFA, falling ~6 pull- ups short and 30 seconds short on the run. But my question is, how will my history of "asthma" effect my overall appointment/nomination process?

Thanks in advance!

Shawn
 
You have to get a medical evaluation from DoDMERB before you can be medical "qualified." If I remember correctly there is something about childhood asthma that is not a disqualifier, but any other asthma symptoms are bad news. Just make sure you start the process early so you have enough time to try for a waiver if you are disqualified. When it comes closer you can ask more specific answers from Larry Mullen in the DoDMERB forum.
 
Agree that you should check with Larry. USNA told BGOs that any diagnosis of asthma or Rx (whether used or not) for asthma meds (inhalers, etc.) after age 13 would be disqualifying and waivers hard to obtain. They indicated asthma prior to age 13 with nothing after wouldn't be an issue. But that is a generalization and, as Larry Mullen says, each case is individual. So, follow up with him.
 
Be informed and accurate

You should also talk with your personal physician about your health record. You need to know the actual diagnosis. What you and your parents may have generally referred to as asthma may have been something else, i.e. allergic rhinitis, etc. This is an important difference and you should have someone medically qualified to give you accurate information to pass to the physician assigned to do your DODMERB physical and medical evaluation that will be sent to the SA's you apply to. As previously mentioned, start early and if necessary contact Larry Mullen. He is by all accounts the go to guy.
 
Shawn said:
I am a high school junior pursuing a nomination/appointment to the USNA or USAFA. I have already been accepted in the AFA SS and will shortly be applying to the USNA SS. After taking a look at the application to the naval academy SS, I have noted that it asks about a HISTORY of asthma (as opposed to the AFA where I was just simply asked if I had asthma).

I recently heard a story about a qualified candidate being deep-sixed from the USNA admission process because of a history of asthma. I myself have a history of asthma but it has not been on my medical record since I was 13 and I have not used an inhaler since the age of 11 (and even then, I only used my inhaler for one week at my first Boy Scout summer camp). Conclusion: I do not believe I ever HAD asthma.

Looking back on it, the only reason I complained about "asthma" is because I would be breathless after a workout. I was a short and chubby little kid so it was an excuse, I think, to call my lack of physical ability "asthma".

At the present, I am in top physical shape -- I can nearly max the CFA, falling ~6 pull- ups short and 30 seconds short on the run. But my question is, how will my history of "asthma" effect my overall appointment/nomination process?

Thanks in advance!

Shawn
Click to expand...

The previous posters have given sound advice but after thinking about your question and how you feel you never really had asthma, I would give you some different advice. If you were my child I would tell you to answer no on the application. To me what you are describing is durring your early childhood something affected your breathing. Like a lot of childhood issues you grew out of it and have not been treated or taking medications for the past 4-5 years. As you stated, you never had Asthma, and that is how I would fill out all my medical applications.

Asthma is a red flag and show stopper in the application process. I would leave it burried in your childhood.
 
As an applicant to the SA's this year, and as someone who has a history of asthma, I can tell you what you may expect with your dodmerb evaluation.

My situation was having asthma on my medical history since I was born, but stopping around age 12/13. I grew out of it as I got older. I still had to go through a medical waiver process. After my initial dodmerb testing, I was required to go through a remedial process to "prove" I no longer had asthma.

I had to take a breathing challenge test and score an X amount on it to pass. I passed with flying colors, and within a week later, my waiver was granted. I started my dodmerb process in July and I finished in late October.

Is it a hinderance during my application process? Yes. Will you have to take some remedial testing? Maybe. Does it make it impossible for you to get a waiver/appointment? No.

As long as you are persistent and your application is strong enough to receive a waiver, you can get one. Start your dodmerb evaluation as soon as you can, and good luck! :thumb:
 
Thank you for the responses. I am waiting for my medical records to be pulled and proceed from there.
 
Amen!

dhawbaker said:
As an applicant to the SA's this year, and as someone who has a history of asthma, I can tell you what you may expect with your dodmerb evaluation.

My situation was having asthma on my medical history since I was born, but stopping around age 12/13. I grew out of it as I got older. I still had to go through a medical waiver process. After my initial dodmerb testing, I was required to go through a remedial process to "prove" I no longer had asthma.

I had to take a breathing challenge test and score an X amount on it to pass. I passed with flying colors, and within a week later, my waiver was granted. I started my dodmerb process in July and I finished in late October.

Is it a hinderance during my application process? Yes. Will you have to take some remedial testing? Maybe. Does it make it impossible for you to get a waiver/appointment? No.

As long as you are persistent and your application is strong enough to receive a waiver, you can get one. Start your dodmerb evaluation as soon as you can, and good luck! :thumb:
Click to expand...

BEST ANSWER TO A DODMERB QUESTION I HAVE READ ON THIS FORUM!

Awesome, an actual personal experience followed by the eventual outcome!
Finally!

For once a pertinent query about the DODMERB morass is answered without disapearing after the obligitory "Send your name and SS # to Larry Mull..."

It is gratifying to know an asthma death sentence was actually commuted!

Thank YOU!
 
Please understand that, while this individual was successful in obtaining a waiver, it is an individualized process. The fact that person A obtains a waiver has no bearing on whether person B will. That is why Larry asks people to send him their info -- he will help them work through their personal situation which is certain to be different than anyone else's.
 
1985...Not to worry, I am aware of the individualized nature of this process. I'm not trying to be catty either. Its just that this forum is rife with people looking for answers and hope. 90% of the posts regarding medical issues end without answer one way or the other for those searching. I was encourage by the above reply.

My son also has been DQ'd for asthma among a few other ailments. Essentially we have given up on the Academy dream and moved on. For the past few months I scoured the forum looking to hear from someone who had negotiated the mine field successfully after a setback. Most medical DQ questions end with little resolution for the reader. This was a welcome variation of the theme.
 
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