Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 1/11/2009

Question
I have a great career at this time but was considering the Coast Guard to possibility fly helicopters. My question consists of two parts one with my age and the other is a health question.

I am 26 and soon will be 27 am I to old for coast guard flight program? The other may be a little harder to answer. I came down with a strange set of symptoms that to this date cannot be explained. About two years ago I had a little trouble breathing and a cough tests where preformed and came back normal. The doctors didn’t know what to make of it so if you look through my medical history it consists of many test and theories but no definitive answers for the cause.

My concern is it happened recently and over a period of over a year and also some of the medications used to in an attempt to calm the symptoms are those used commonly for asthma such as inhalers. There was talk of asthma as a possible cause but no Clinical evidence to support it. I have no childhood history of any problems like this.

I have felt fine for at least 6 months but worry this mystery ailment and my age will disqualify from joining? Will they likely check medical records and do I need to disclose this mystery ailment?  

Thanks  

Answer
Dear John --

You are not too old to join the military services -- to include the Coast Guard.  However the youngest maximum age for an officer, and therefore a pilot, is 30, so you do not have a lot of time to decide.  The Army currently has a maximum age of entry of 42, but the other services have younger maximum ages.

If you were not diagnosed with asthma, you do not have to put asthma on your medical history form.  However, if you are having trouble with a respiratory problem, and you do not declare it on your medical form, then you suffer from it during training, you are likely to be charged with fraudulent enlistment because evidence that you had a prior condition exists in your medical records.  

You are usually better off naming all pre-existing conditions and getting a medical waiver to enlist, then you are covered, even if your condition recurs.

In order to fly for any of the services, you have to have a higher physical and intellectual capacity than for most other specialities.  Even if you get an aviation guarantee, you must pass all your courses to become a pilot.  If at anytime you fail a course, you will revert to a non-aviation billet to complete your military service tour.

Please write back, if you have other questions or concerns.  Good luck to you.