Joining ROTC with Asthma

[WingJingle]

Hello,
I plan to join ROTC in the Navy option, but I was diagnosed with asthma as a kid. Though, I have been regularly given an inhaler every year or so, I have not used them for a very long time, even during my time in the High School track team. I have not had any attacks from asthma as of late, but the most it does is create an excess of mucus.

I read up information such as needing a waver and things regarding symptoms and usage of medication past the age of 13. Usually this information is referred towards enlisted, but I was wondering if officer school has different standards. Also, as I mentioned above, I have been given an inhaler every year, but my use of it has been stagnant, probably since the age of 13. Would this inhaler every year affect my chances to a waver, despite me not using it?

Another question is how the medical exam is like, specifically the PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). What would they be looking for to meet the standards for the military? Volume? Consistency?

Thank you very much for your time, any information helps.

 

[NavyHoops]

None of us can give you a firm answer on how this will be viewed. My opinion, based upon what you have put, is you have an uphill battle. Officer accession medical standards are probably higher than enlistment standards. Even sparse use of an inhaler after 13 is still use. Really it would come down to some additional testing if it can be waivered. None of us can tell you here is what will happen for sure.

 

[BAMA ROTC]

You'd be best served by applying and going through the process. Seeking this kind of information from random people on the internet can prove very disappointing.

 

[A6E Dad]

The standards are defined in this doc:
https://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/arwg/Documents/WaiverGuide/DODI_6130.03_JUL12.pdf

For Asthma, this is the relevant section:
e. History of airway hyper responsiveness including asthma, reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, after the 13th birthday.

(1) Symptoms suggestive of airway hyper responsiveness include but are not limited to cough, wheeze, chest tightness, dyspnea or functional exercise limitations after the 13th birthday.
(2) History of prescription or use of medication (including but not limited to inhaled or oral corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or any beta agonists) for airway hyper responsiveness after the 13th birthday.​

Based on what you said, you'd need to answer YES to several questions on the medical questionaire, and that would trigger another more specific questionnaire and a request for your records. If you have an actual diagnosis of asthma in your record, and have continued to use the inhaler, a DQ is very likely

However, it's possible to get a waiver for an Asthma DQ - my DS got one. However, from our experience it seems that, to get a waiver, it's more about showing evidence that you do not actually have asthma.

The PFT is used, as well as the Methocholine Challenge test, in addition to the writeup and descriptions provided by the Dr.

best of luck