USAFA and Asthma

Copeland 2025

Copeland 2025

USNA '25
Joined
Feb 18, 2020
Messages
98
Hello everyone!

I am a junior in high school looking to attend USAFA. In November I visited and liked what I saw, and I also applied to the Summer Seminar program. I am aware that the pre-candidate questionnaire and applications to congressional nominations open soon, and I have a concern regarding medical requirements.

I have mild exercise-induced asthma. However, it hardly affects me and I am still very active, and I am on varsity cross country and basketball. I have a prescription for an inhaler and Singualir, though I only take it during cross country season. Of course, asthma is considered a disqualifier in the military, so should I even consider applying to USAFA? Or would it be possible to get a waiver? I understand the Air Force is strict with these policies, especially with pilots, but if I were to serve in the Air Force I would prefer a desk job anyway. Any thoughts on this?

Thank you!
 
Each medical case is different and we suggest you reach out directly to DODMERB. Each school acts as their own waiver authority, so one school could waive and the other reject. You can find more here:

DoDMERB

Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board
www.serviceacademyforums.com

Once you complete the screening process next year, Larry Mullin invites you to contact him directly with your specifics for more detail.

Some things once thought to be instant disqualifiers are now waiverable.
 
Hit “Questions about the process`’
If you meet the criteria in paragraphs 11-12, then 15-21 will apply.
Next year, USAFA will no longer be the medical waiver authority. It will be the AF Recruiting Service Medical Waiver Cell
 
It's possible - I also thought I had mild exercise induced asthma, but I was able to pass a methacholine challenge and they concluded that I don't have asthma. I'm not convinced as I still occasionally have some trouble and the altitude at USAFA seemed to have a much more significant effect on me than others, but the point is - it's possible if your case is truly mild and you could get along fine without an inhaler/prescription of any kind (which is what I have done)
 
One thing that helped us--when DS was in 8th grade, I looked for a primary care physician with SA ties. Talking through the DoDMERB process with a former Navy physician (who had EPIC stories about his days supporting SEALs) put our minds at ease. I asked our Optometrist if he had experience and he had 3 former patients who had gone to SAs and he had researched the parameters on nearsightedness for them, and he did some research to make sure nothing had changed. It has taken a village to get us this far and our family will be writing a LOT of thank you notes if/when the final shoe drops.
 
Apply and let them say no to you. Dont decide for them. Having said that, have a Plan B and C available
 
nhk2002 said:
Hello everyone!

I am a junior in high school looking to attend USAFA. In November I visited and liked what I saw, and I also applied to the Summer Seminar program. I am aware that the pre-candidate questionnaire and applications to congressional nominations open soon, and I have a concern regarding medical requirements.

I have mild exercise-induced asthma. However, it hardly affects me and I am still very active, and I am on varsity cross country and basketball. I have a prescription for an inhaler and Singualir, though I only take it during cross country season. Of course, asthma is considered a disqualifier in the military, so should I even consider applying to USAFA? Or would it be possible to get a waiver? I understand the Air Force is strict with these policies, especially with pilots, but if I were to serve in the Air Force I would prefer a desk job anyway. Any thoughts on this?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
There's a lot of advice here that can help you skirt the system, but asthma at that altitude is SERIOUS business. If you're serious you need to go to Colorado Springs this Summer and work out for a week. Try to get into Summer Seminar there or Track Camp just to see if you can hang. Running as much as you can. You do not want to go through this process to become a medical turnback during basic. That altitude is a REAL factor. Talk to your doctor about it. He\She will tell you it has a dramatic effect. Be honest with yourself. A year in this application process to get a turn back is rotten.
 
StatDaddy505 said:
There's a lot of advice here that can help you skirt the system, but asthma at that altitude is SERIOUS business. If you're serious you need to go to Colorado Springs this Summer and work out for a week. Try to get into Summer Seminar there or Track Camp just to see if you can hang. Running as much as you can. You do not want to go through this process to become a medical turnback during basic. That altitude is a REAL factor. Talk to your doctor about it. He\She will tell you it has a dramatic effect. Be honest with yourself. A year in this application process to get a turn back is rotten.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads up! I actually live in Colorado, so I'm used to the altitude. The state cross country meet is actually in Colorado Springs so I've even had a chance to run up there and it felt good. I appreciate you reaching out!
 
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