Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/asthma / inhaler use

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Expert: - 7/27/2007


Question
When I was 14 years old playing soccer, we were running football field
lengths.  I ran about 40 footbal field lengths in a very short amount of time.  I
had a hard time breathing right after I ran those football field lenghts.  My
mother took me to the doctor.  I was givin an inhaler BUT NEVER DIAGNOSED
WITH ASTHMA.  My doctor said I POSSIBLY may have Excercise-Indused-
Asthma.  I used my inhaler for approximatelly 2 weeks and stopped.  I did not
need the inhaler at all.  I have never used it since then.  

I am now 21 and had my first interview with a Marine Officer Recruiter this
morning.  She told me I pretty much will not be able to join the Marine Corps
or any other Military force. EVER.  All because I used an inhaler for 2 weeks
when I was 14 years old playing soccer and the doctor never diagnosed me
with Asthma, I am told I cannot join, or at least have a very slim chance.  
Since I was 14, I have had absolutelly no problems breathing.  I am an active
runner and have a 3 mile run under 20 minutes.  It was just a bad day, I ran
alot, and my mother thought something was wrong so she took me to the
doctor like any good mother would do.

Do I have a chance at a waiver?  I mean c'mon.  It seems like such a waste to
deny me enlistment because of this rediculous matter.

Answer
David:

  You do have a chance for a waiver.  If your use was one time only, and you can get a civilian doctor to sign off on the fact that you do not now have, nor have you ever had, asthma, you'll be ok.  If you still have contact with the doctor you went to, get something from him.  The cutoff for 'childhood asthma' according to DOD regs is 13, so you'll likely need a waiver, but with a doctors ok, you shouldn't have an issue if this was the only lifetime event.

Keep trying, and don't take 'no' for an answer.  Persistence pays off.

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

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Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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