Expert: Howard Lorenz - 12/12/2007

Question
I was discharged from the Air Force in April for having asthma. While at Lackland, I was given a methacoline challenge test. I failed it. When I found out that I was getting discharged I asked the physician if there was anyway that I could get approved for a waiver during training, he said no, so I waived all rights to consult and went through with the discharge. I recently took another methacoline challenge, and a pulmonary function test and passed both. Is it possible to change my recode,which is a 4c, and my separation code, which is JFW and reenlist. I would love to go back to the military and I feel like this may be my only way out. I feel like I have failed my country, and my family by not making it through. Please help!
Also if there are any forms I need to change or correct my codes please let me know.

Answer
I have seen this happen to several applicants over the years. Yes it is possible, but very very difficult. First you have to request your records from the national archives. www.archives.gov  Then you have to go thru the request process just to get your records. After you have your records you have to request to have a change if status done to your records so that you will be able to re-enlist.

This is not something that will be done with in a year....just so that you know. I wouldnt feel like you let your country down or that your country let you down. Thats just the cards you were dealt. I would look at it as ...I gave it my best shot....move on. I have seen a lot of folks go thru this process just to be turned down again.
Sometimes we need not look a gift horse in the mouth and jsut go and do something else. There are other avenues that you can take to serve your country in another capacity. There are civillian governmental agancies that you can get into to serve your country. Remember that half the battles that rage are right here on Americas homefront. Go into Law enforcement, DEA, ATF or even the FBI. You can get into the Department of Homeland Secruity.

Remember, just becasue you didnt make itnto the military, does not mean you failed. Its a set back, choose another route and do something different. We can not foresee the limitations of our bodies, only GOD knows that and we sometimes have to deal with what he gave us...

HW