Expert: Rod Powers - 4/28/2007

Question
Rod-

I have recently taken an interest in the Air Force for many obvious reasons, and I am looking for a way to join as a boom operator or loader. My ultimate goal is to become a pilot in the military, as I have my license and would need the bachelors degree. My issue is asthma. I am 23 years old and I've had asthma my whole life. I stopped taking medication approximately 3 years ago (just haven't needed it). Lately, I've been running to test myself and see how bad my asthma really is, and I find that I occasionally need a "puff" of my albuterol that I used to use.

Question #1: I'm aware of the military's policy on asthma. However, is there a branch that is more lenient or is it the same across the board?

Question #2: As you know, if you've had a history of asthma after the age 13, it's possible to get a waiver through some sort of pulmonary test. Do you know what is involved with this test and how prevalent your asthma can be while still passing?

Question #3: Lets say you get the waiver, you're in the military with asthma. Can you use an inhaler?

Thanks for all your help and expertise.
-Sean

Answer
Hi Sean,

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you're going to have to find a new dream.

Prior to 1990, the military services had gotten pretty lenient when it came to asthma waivers. Then the Gulf War hit (1990 and 1991), and (all) the services were suddenly doing emergency medical evacuations from the combat zone (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia). There are dust storms in these areas like you wouldn't believe, and the dust took people with very little history of asthma, and turned them into major medical emergencies.

In any event, the services (all of them) tightened up on their asthma requirements. I'm sorry, but if you've been treated for asthma after the age of 13, your chances of enlistment are slim. If you've required medication for exercise after the age of 13, your chances of enlistment are pretty much zero. Your chances of ever passing a flight class medical examination (required to become a military pilot) is absolutely zero.

I'm sorry to be the one to give you the bad news.

The Army (lately) is the most lenient when it comes to waivers, but -- I have to be honest -- the chances of an asthma waiver, with treatment after the age of 13, probably isn't going to happen, even in the Army.

I'm sorry,

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com