Question:

I too am in the Reserves and developed Adult Onset Asthma.  I went through a medical evaluation for other medical problems and was deemed fit for duty with major restrictions, which also made it possible to avoid most asthma problems.  It is based for those already in on a case by case scenario, to include what military job specialties are held.  The odds of my ever seeing or being anywhere near any combat related environment are next to nil, as I’m not allowed to wear a helmet.

Oddly, I am medically cleared for worldwide deployment and considered to be fully qualified to maintain my position as a Tank Commander/Master Gunner in an armored cavalry unit. The only medical restriction I have is that I cannot run on the physical fitness test.  I run on the test anyway, but tell the graders not to record my time (it is a pride thing). It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For instance, what about the army employee who makes training videos?   Or the lawyers from A Few Good Men?   Um, you have the US military confused with Hollywood, Roger Rabbit. Sheldon So are you arguing that there are no lawyers in the military? No.  Are you arguing that those actors portraying lawyers are in fact real lawyers (they’re not) or that the roles they played in a Hollywood film are in fact true depictions of military lawyer like behaviour (not even close)… are you even suggesting that the film is based on factual events?  Not.  All events portrayed in that film are 100% fiction.  Roger Rabbit is a Toon.  And obviously so are you, Dip. <G

What a ridiculous argument.  Boy, are you making a stretch.  No, I am merely arguing that such jobs as those portrayed in the movie exist.  Which I proved. I made no statement that the actors are actual lawyers, that the film was based on a true story, or about how military lawyers behave. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -True fact:  In real life I was there.  I participated In the Cuban blockade aboard the USS John Paul Jones DD 932.  I landed on the beach at Guantanamo. For 89 days I was deployed on Cuban soil.  I was awarded the Cuban Campaign Expeditionary Medal.  I have no intention of recounting the actual events which I personally witnessed and participated in but I will say that none of those events as portrayed by that Hollywood ever film occured, that film is a total fabrication… the overly trite plot as hackneyed as they come. Read film review here: http://www.ew.com/r0/ew/Complete_EW/in?/ew/archive/1,1798,1|8528|3|a_few_g ood_men,00.html?name1=a+few+good+men&lastresult=0&query=%22a+few+good+men% 22+%3CIN%3E+MAJOR+%3CAND%3E+SRCE%3Dfilm&major_ref=ON&mtype=1&list_size=6&d irection= Sheldon

Your link took me nowhere.  All of the rest of your post is irrelevant to the existence of lawyer jobs in the military. I am resisting the urge to imitate your useless and idiotic behavior of ending the post by calling me some sort of belittling name. hallie *** From a questionnaire at alt.fan.conan-obrien: Q- In high school, Did you ever sit at the cool table? A-I’m too cool to sit with cool people. A- Yes I did. All by myself.

Response:

For instance, what about the army employee who makes training videos?   Or the lawyers from A Few Good Men?   Um, you have the US military confused with Hollywood, Roger Rabbit. Sheldon

OH!  A HA HA HA HA HA.  Ha ha ha.  That’s a riot. By the way, did you know that A Few Good Men was a play by Aaron Sorkin that I saw in New York and Charlotte, NC before the Hollywood version. So are you arguing that there are no lawyers in the military, that was just made up?  Try going to the following site. http://www.jag.navy.mil/html/welcome_recruit.htm Of all the reviews I read, all the criticism I ever heard, even today before posting this, I never was able to find the criticism "Sorkin got all the facts wrong about the process of military law."  He did his research. So why are you trying to ridicule me?  Is that how you stay alive in the shark pit, by snapping out the cool barbs?  Speaking of movies, did you ever see the movie Ridicule?  I recommend it for you.  And it’s not out of Hollywood either. hallie *** From a questionnaire at alt.fan.conan-obrien: Q- In high school, Did you ever sit at the cool table? A-I’m too cool to sit with cool people. A- Yes I did. All by myself.

Response:

For instance, what about the army employee who makes training videos?   Or the lawyers from A Few Good Men?   Um, you have the US military confused with Hollywood, Roger Rabbit. Sheldon So are you arguing that there are no lawyers in the military?

No.  Are you arguing that those actors portraying lawyers are in fact real lawyers (they’re not) or that the roles they played in a Hollywood film are in fact true depictions of military lawyer like behaviour (not even close)… are you even suggesting that the film is based on factual events?  Not.  All events portrayed in that film are 100% fiction.  Roger Rabbit is a Toon.  And obviously so are you, Dip. <G True fact:  In real life I was there.  I participated In the Cuban blockade aboard the USS John Paul Jones DD 932.  I landed on the beach at Guantanamo. For 89 days I was deployed on Cuban soil.  I was awarded the Cuban Campaign Expeditionary Medal.  I have no intention of recounting the actual events which I personally witnessed and participated in but I will say that none of those events as portrayed by that Hollywood ever film occured, that film is a total fabrication… the overly trite plot as hackneyed as they come. Read film review here: http://www.ew.com/r0/ew/Complete_EW/in?/ew/archive/1,1798,1|8528|3|a_few_g ood_men,00.html?name1=a+few+good+men&lastresult=0&query=%22a+few+good+men% 22+%3CIN%3E+MAJOR+%3CAND%3E+SRCE%3Dfilm&major_ref=ON&mtype=1&list_size=6&d irection= Sheldon On a recent Night Court rerun, Judge Harry Stone had a wonderful line: "I try to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out."

Response:

In a broad sense, asthma doesn’t necessarily mean a person is unable to enlist unless they’ve encountered attacks or problems within so many years of enlistment.

True. 12 sticks in my mind too, though a little voice says it may be 14 not 12.  Unfortunately, in the specific case of the poster’s son, he is now 17, has asthma currently, is on meds for it, and developed it 2 years ago, so at about 15; which means absolutely not eligible for enlistment. But for someone who had had asthma as a small child, had ZERO problems after the magical age [12?], INCLUDING not being on any medications nor needing any medications after that magical age, then in that case on a case by case basis the individual may be permitted to enlist. SW.

Response:

I too am in the Reserves and developed Adult Onset Asthma.  I went through a medical evaluation for other medical problems and was deemed fit for duty with major restrictions, which also made it possible to avoid most asthma problems.  It is based for those already in on a case by case scenario, to include what military job specialties are held.  The odds of my ever seeing or being anywhere near any combat related environment are next to nil, as I’m not allowed to wear a helmet. However, everything I’ve ever heard (after 13 years in Active Duty and Reserves) is that a Recruit can have a history of asthma, so long as the most recent attack or problems didn’t occur say after a certain age (for some reason 12 sticks in my head). A good recruiter would ensure the regulation has been interpreted as to the specifics. In a broad sense, asthma doesn’t necessarily mean a person is unable to enlist unless they’ve encountered attacks or problems within so many years of enlistment. Sally Avery

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have adult onset asthma and am currently in the US military reserves. First off, I have to tell you that an asthma diagnosis is an automatic disqualification to enlistment.  If he hides the asthma, enlists and is caught (and they will catch it) he will be separated as a ‘fraudulent enlistment’ and given a discharge code that will give him a penalty if he ever tries to apply for a government job. If somebody with several years of service is determined to have asthma then an ‘exception to policy’ can be made on a case by case basis. This is what happened to me, I was allowed to remain in service as a ‘exception to policy’ due to my possessing certain critical skills. The basic problem is that if you have an asthma attack while in a gas mask you will die unless the mask is removed.  And if you are on a battlefield, taking the mask off can mean death. It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

Response:

This is a surprise to me, I guess.  I always assumed that asthma would preclude any combat posts, but what about all the army jobs that are not in combat or in third-world countries and so on?  For instance, what about the army employee who makes training videos?  Or the lawyers from A Few Good Men?  

There is no spaciality in the US Army where the soldier is not subject to combat/overseas assignment.  Completely noncombat positions are filled with civilians in order to free up a soldier for deployment. The basic rule is that every soldier must be deployable into a combat zone. BTW, military camera crews are assigned to ‘combat camera crews’ and work under the direction of the Center for Military History.  Their primary mission is to capture combat operations for the historical record.  They only make training videos in peacetime. It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

Response:

Thank you everyone for your responses.  I had thought he would not be accepted, but I wanted to get some verification (especially since "Mom’s of teenagers typically don’t know anything")  :o)  He is disappointed, but at least he knows now that military is not an option and can make different plans. Thanks again, Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello to the group, My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily. I told him I would post that questions on this ng and see if anyone here has past military service while being asthmatic. Thanks, Patrice

Response:

First off, I have to tell you that an asthma diagnosis is an automatic disqualification to enlistment.  If he hides the asthma, enlists and is caught (and they will catch it) he will be separated as a ‘fraudulent enlistment’ and given a discharge code that will give him a penalty if he ever tries to apply for a government job. If somebody with several years of service is determined to have asthma then an ‘exception to policy’ can be made on a case by case basis. This is what happened to me, I was allowed to remain in service as a ‘exception to policy’ due to my possessing certain critical skills.

This is a surprise to me, I guess.  I always assumed that asthma would preclude any combat posts, but what about all the army jobs that are not in combat or in third-world countries and so on?  For instance, what about the army employee who makes training videos?  Or the lawyers from A Few Good Men?   hallie *** From a questionnaire at alt.fan.conan-obrien: Q- In high school, Did you ever sit at the cool table? A-I’m too cool to sit with cool people. A- Yes I did. All by myself.

Response:

writes: And in this connection,  I’ve been thinking of leaving this group entirely.  I’ve felt for some time that the bigoted pseudoscientific proselytizers were actually getting to everybody.  Thankfully I’ve had a flood of mail from people who have found Buteyko through this n.g. and are really grateful.  So I’m afraid folks, I’m here until someone manages to have me banned!

Yes Peter, please leave! Israel Weber

Response:

For instance, what about the army employee who makes training videos?   Or the lawyers from A Few Good Men?  

Um, you have the US military confused with Hollywood, Roger Rabbit. Sheldon On a recent Night Court rerun, Judge Harry Stone had a wonderful line: "I try to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out."

Response:

According to Professor Buteyko, hyperventilation is stimulated by mouth breathing and also gets worse at night when asleep.  That’s why we seem to go through physiological lows in the middle of the night and often asthma attacks are at their worst in the early hours of the morning.  

Now can you support this as an actual fact?  Or is this something the guy simply fabricated? According to 19th century explorer George Catlin,  the secret of the incredible health and good looks of the Indian tribes of North America (the indigenous Indians befeore they became westernized), was due to their preoccupation with closed mouth breathing.

Let me guess – you consider this to be a ’scientific’ reference. Finally, can I say that I no longer have the time or patience to read the garbage written by Scooby, Campbell, anonymous remailers etc.  If you find that they have managed to raise an interesting issue you would like me to address, please post  it under a name that is not associated with flaming and other forms of abuse.  I try to read all the other replies to my posts.   You can always email it to me for a guaranteed reply.

Because we keep asking for factual information? It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

Response:

Hello to the group, My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily. I told him I would post that questions on this ng and see if anyone here has past military service while being asthmatic.

I have adult onset asthma and am currently in the US military reserves. First off, I have to tell you that an asthma diagnosis is an automatic disqualification to enlistment.  If he hides the asthma, enlists and is caught (and they will catch it) he will be separated as a ‘fraudulent enlistment’ and given a discharge code that will give him a penalty if he ever tries to apply for a government job. If somebody with several years of service is determined to have asthma then an ‘exception to policy’ can be made on a case by case basis. This is what happened to me, I was allowed to remain in service as a ‘exception to policy’ due to my possessing certain critical skills. The basic problem is that if you have an asthma attack while in a gas mask you will die unless the mask is removed.  And if you are on a battlefield, taking the mask off can mean death. It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

Response:

I suggest he tries Buteyko therapy to get rid of his asthma,

He can try any number of scams.  Why should he try yours? It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

Response:

Greetings Peter, I visited your website months ago when I first started being involved in this ng and newly diagnosed with asthma  I am sure you mean well, but after I read about your exercises and particularly nocturnal mouth breathing and taping a straw between one’s lips, I can’t even go there much less administer same to my son.

If you were as aware of Peter’s posting history, misrepresentations of fact, outright lies, and other tactics – you would be less than impressed. Your best bet would be to assume that anything Peter Kolb says is inaccurate unless an independent source that is qualified as an expert in the field confirms it. It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

Response:

Hello Patrice I suggest he tries Buteyko therapy to get rid of his asthma, Peter Kolb

Hello Peter nonsense eric "when all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done"

Response:

Hello Patrice I visited your website months ago when I first started being involved in this ng and newly diagnosed with asthma  I am sure you mean well, but after I read about your exercises and particularly nocturnal mouth breathing and taping a straw between one’s lips, I can’t even go there much less administer same to my son.

Fair enough, I can understand that.  I don’t want to be pushy so we’ll just leave it at that. But for the sake of others who are reading this,  I’m not sure where the straw came from.  We don’t use straws. According to Professor Buteyko, hyperventilation is stimulated by mouth breathing and also gets worse at night when asleep.  That’s why we seem to go through physiological lows in the middle of the night and often asthma attacks are at their worst in the early hours of the morning.   The rationale behind mouth taping is to ensure nose breathing at night.  For some reason or other it provokes fear and terror in western minds.  But I’ve never heard of anyone have a problem with it. You only need a bit of paper tape with tags folded on each end. It just goes vertically across the lips.  For the first few days people who aren’t used to it sometimes remove it in their sleep, but after a few days most people would’nt dream of going to bed without it because of the benefits. The benefits are that it tends to even out breathing…. You don’t get that frantic breathing followed by minutes of sleep apnea.  It cuts down and usually eliminates snoring.  It gives you a much better quality of sleep because you don’t get nightmares from the sleep apnea.  You don’t spend hours awake at night with anxiety attacks. And the other interesting thing is that it stops you having to get up and go to the toilet in the middle of the night, although most of the Doogy Housers on this group would’nt have a clue why.  I would imagine that modern orthodontists who are starting to take an interest in mouth breathing, would consider it to be beneficial. According to 19th century explorer George Catlin,  the secret of the incredible health and good looks of the Indian tribes of North America (the indigenous Indians befeore they became westernized), was due to their preoccupation with closed mouth breathing.  They would go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that their babies were breathing through their noses at night.  He suggests that closed mouth breathing enables the saliva to wash debris from out of the gums, leaving the gums healthy instead of dried out and infested with festering food particles.  If anyone is interested in this book, it’s available off our web site in WORD6 format, complete with illustrations and extensive foot notes.  It’s interesting that his book was published in 1870, around the same time DaCosta discovered Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome in battle stressed American soldiers fighting in the civil war. I’m also not sure what Patrice has against the Buteyko exercises.  All you really have to do is reduce your breathing to sustain a slight hunger for air over a period of time.  Nobody else I know of is scared by that. The only way to fix chronic hyperventilation is to reverse the process that has caused it in the first place.  If you can find a better way of doing it than through Buteyko exercises and still get the same results…. please go for it.  But you actually have to actively do something about it.  I guess this is foreign to our culture where we try to fix everything with popping pills. By the way, the exercises aren’t "mine".  Buteyko practice  today is a huge institution it Russia and has thankfully obtained a foothold in the west now too.  I’m just a messenger bringing you the good news that you no longer have to have asthma. Finally, can I say that I no longer have the time or patience to read the garbage written by Scooby, Campbell, anonymous remailers etc.  If you find that they have managed to raise an interesting issue you would like me to address, please post  it under a name that is not associated with flaming and other forms of abuse.  I try to read all the other replies to my posts.   You can always email it to me for a guaranteed reply. And in this connection,  I’ve been thinking of leaving this group entirely.  I’ve felt for some time that the bigoted pseudoscientific proselytizers were actually getting to everybody.  Thankfully I’ve had a flood of mail from people who have found Buteyko through this n.g. and are really grateful.  So I’m afraid folks, I’m here until someone manages to have me banned! Peter Kolb Biomedical Engineer Free information provided by grateful ex-asthmatics     http://www.wt.com.au/~pkolb/buteyko.htm

Response:

Hello to the group, My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily. I told him I would post that questions on this ng and see if anyone here has past military service while being asthmatic.

Hello Patrice I suggest he tries Buteyko therapy to get rid of his asthma, Peter Kolb Free information provided by grateful ex-asthmatics     http://www.wt.com.au/~pkolb/buteyko.htm

Response:

I suggest he tries Buteyko therapy to get rid of his asthma, Peter Kolb

Once again our resident quackster offers his uneducated opinion.  Thanks again Peter for such a nicely blatant comment which I can now forward to your government.  This and several of your last posts will make for good fodder. You just keep digging yourself deeper and deeper, don’t you?? Once again, there is NO cure for asthma.  Treatment for both acute and chronic phases yes, controllability for the most part, and the expectation of a relatively normal life IF you are compliant with your treatments…..and that DOES NOT mean substitute quackery for intelligence and scientifically proven therapies. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product.  The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

Response:

Greetings Peter, I visited your website months ago when I first started being involved in this ng and newly diagnosed with asthma  I am sure you mean well, but after I read about your exercises and particularly nocturnal mouth breathing and taping a straw between one’s lips, I can’t even go there much less administer same to my son. Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello to the group, My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily. I told him I would post that questions on this ng and see if anyone here has past military service while being asthmatic. Hello Patrice I suggest he tries Buteyko therapy to get rid of his asthma, Peter Kolb Free information provided by grateful ex-asthmatics    http://www.wt.com.au/~pkolb/buteyko.htm

Response:

Of course, I should have thought about that.  We are in the USA. Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello to the group, My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily. I told him I would post that questions on this ng and see if anyone here has past military service while being asthmatic. Thanks, Patrice I would think that before one could even begin addressing your query, that is with any semblance of intelligence, it would make a difference to first know which country’s military your son is considering for enlistment. Sheldon On a recent Night Court rerun, Judge Harry Stone had a wonderful line: "I try to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out."

Response:

My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily.

I read in another post that you are referring to the US military. Having asthma means one is permanently disqualified from joining any branch of the US military.  IIRC, the cut-off age is ‘any asthma after age 12′, though that may be incorrect/have changed.  But, absolutely, that he has it at 17 he will never, under current rules, be able to join the US military [voluntarily or by being drafted, though he still must comply with Selective Service registration rules].  Sorry. Now, if he were already IN the US military when he developed asthma he may be able to stay in, depending on which branch of service and the severeity and contrllability of the asthma.  Some branches kick you out upon a diagnosis of asthma; others let youstay in if it is controllable, but limit you to Continental US duty *only* for the rest of your career.  Which is why you may get a post from someone saying that they had asthma and were allowed to stay in the military. But if you have it before you enter, you will not be allowed to enter. No waivers available. SW.

Response:

Hello to the group, My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily. I told him I would post that questions on this ng and see if anyone here has past military service while being asthmatic. Thanks, Patrice

Response:

Hello to the group, My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily. I told him I would post that questions on this ng and see if anyone here has past military service while being asthmatic. Thanks, Patrice

If is on Medication to control hsi Asthma, I can almost assure you that he would be disqualified from service.  Asthma andBasic school just do not mix.  Long runs and such and not being able to get medication will present a problem. Sorry to dash his hopes. David PS: If he still is not content, have him go talk to the recruiter. What is the worst that can happen?  They say No. TDC Keeper of the Fountain of the Nations

Response:

Hello to the group, My son is almost 17 and was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  As his high school graduation approaches next year, he has entertained ideas about going in the military (personally I would rather see him at art school, but it will be his decision).  My question is will the military accept an asthmatic?  His asthma is well controlled, however he does take meds daily. I told him I would post that questions on this ng and see if anyone here has past military service while being asthmatic. Thanks, Patrice

I would think that before one could even begin addressing your query, that is with any semblance of intelligence, it would make a difference to first know which country’s military your son is considering for enlistment. Sheldon On a recent Night Court rerun, Judge Harry Stone had a wonderful line: "I try to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out."

Response:

Related Posts

• OT: Allergy Epidemic (autoimmune-related)
• Mike Smith and Dave O re: Quack Doctors
• asthma back after 15 years?
• Pediatric Chronic Sinusitis or Asthma
• Aerobid-M and Ventolin
• Asthma Research Paper - asthma (000/138)
• Going to Hosp., When?
• methacholine challenge
• Anyone have this problem?
• Herbal products may cause unexpected bleeding