AboutRod Powers Expertise Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
Question I joined the Army and went to Basic Training July 2007. While in Basic Training I had an asthma attack and they released me November 1, 2007. I have been given different answers to questions and would like to have one person to contact, preferably in person, to get straight answers (rejoining, benefits, GI bill, education, etc). Would you please provide me with a name and number of someone I would be able to contact concerning different matters. It has been very frustrating getting the run around. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I am in the Johnson City, Tennessee area.
Answer Hi Devin,
Your chances of re-entering any of the branches of the Military with an asthma attack are very, very, very, very poor (probably non-existent). Asthma is a medical disqualifier, unless one has not had an asthma attack after age of 13 (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/asthma.htm).
As you had an "adult" attack of asthma, which was apparently serious enough to warrant a discharge, it is very, very doubtful that any of the branches would issue a medical waiver for your to re-join.
You were only in the Military for about three months. Because of this (less than 180 days of service), I would suspect that you were given an "entry level" separation. If so, then I'm afraid you are not eligible for any veteran benefits, including the GI Bill, or other Veteran's education benefits. The majority of Veteran's education benefits require one have an honorable discharge (not entry level), and at least 180 days of consecutive active duty service. For details, see the VA's website at: http://www.va.gov.
For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Website at: http://usmilitary.about.com.
