AFROTC with Asthma

agwakefield

New Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2015
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2
Hello,

I am currently a part of my university's Air Force ROTC program as a first year student. DoDMERB DQ'd me a few weeks ago based on a few conditions, among them being asthma and allergies. I have had asthma and allergies since birth and am prescribed an inhaler (which I use every morning before PT and during PT occasionally) and two other daily medications to treat my symptoms as well as take over the counter allergy as needed.

For my remedials, they did not ask for anything regarding asthma testing and I am still waiting to hear back about my waivers. Does anyone know what my chances are for getting to continue in the program?

Thank you.
 
Based on your report that you use an inhaler every day before and sometimes during PT, I would give you an 0.1% chance on being able to continue in the program. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but asthma is a hurdle that gets a lot of people. If you are dependent on your inhaler, you could become a liability in combat. What I mean is that as an Air Force Officer, you must be world-wide deployable. This may entail deployment to an austere environment. It is very possible that your deployment location would not be able to keep a stock of your medication. This would limit your combat readiness. Also, what happens if you lose your inhaler somehow on your deployment? Your airmen would have to complete a mission without their officer and make sure you make it back oaky. These are the things DoDMERB thinks about when they consider waivers. You have to convince them through your evidence that your condition doesn't hinder your performance. Waivers for asthma and allergies are possible and have been given, you still have a shot. I'll defer to some of the more experienced posters when it comes to waivers. I wish you the best of luck!
 
Confused. You said DQ and remedials.

Traditionally these are 2 different things.
~Simplistic... DQ means you do not meet the standard. Remedial means we need more medical records before we DQ you.

In essence, you can be DQd with them never asking for any records at all because the medical history on your intake exam already DQd you.

Was the remedial for asthma or was it for the other daily meds?

IOWS, the way I am reading your post is:
DQ asthma due to an inhaler after the age of 13.
Prescriptions that may be tied to allergies listed (remedial)
Two separate aspects. 1 is asthma with inhaler (DQ), 1 is allrgies (remedial) where they may after seeing more records DQ you, which means another waiver.

I am with USNA, hate to be the bearer of bad news, but needing an inhaler prior to PT and sometimes during PT will be an uphill battle regarding a waiver.
~ If you want to go rated, I would take that chance down even more.
~~ AFROTC cadets as rising 400s, selected for rated will go to Wright Pat. They will have 2 full days of exams. Not the 45 min. DoDMERB. The reason why is they must qualify for the FAA FC1 flight physical. Getting a waiver for AFROTC DoDMERB does not mean you will fly even if selected.

Food for thought.

I would strongly suggest you Google DoDMERB consultants. They do cost money, but they may be able to help you more than any of us here. They may say...go get the spirometry exam or even a higher level exam to prove why your asthma is not an issue.
 
Good Evening Pima,

After my preliminary DoDMERB appointment, I was DQ'd before they received any other documentation other than the initial physical. At that point they asked for other testing and copies of my medical records.

The remedials were for allergy food testing and an MRI for a surgery I had in middle school. They never asked for any spirometry testing although I scheduled one for myself in case they do. I was DQ'd on asthma, allergies, having the surgery when I was 14, and a few other various conditions. My allergy tests came back clear for the food allergies they were concerned about so that may help my case. But other than that, they haven't asked for anything else about my asthma and allergies which is somewhat confusing to me.

I appreciate the feedback, have a great week!
 
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