<p>There is a file at <a href=“Home”>Home</a> (I found this in a message on the West Point forum) that is titled “Army Regulation 40501 – Medical Services – Standards of Medical Fitness.” Chapter 2 of this document states that:
Does anyone know if this document applies equally to all of the branches, specifically including the Air Force, or only the Army? My son had a single diagnosis of asthma when he was nine years old, with no subsequent incidents. Previously, the rules made asthma a disqualifying condition if it had ever been diagnosed. This new document (in section 2-23) defines asthma as:
My son has been working very hard to make himself a strong candidate for the class of 2011, but has been concerned that everything could be derailed by that single asthma diagnosis that was made over seven years ago. When he went in for his sports physical recently, he explained the restriction on asthma to his doctor, who did some type of simple test which indicated that he did not suffer from asthma. However, I think that he is still worried about it. It would be nice to cross this one item off of the list of challenges (leaving only a few hundred to go :)).</p>
<p>Can't give you any definite word on this, but I'd say your chances of gaining a waiver (at the very least) are very good here. Continue gathering all of the necessary info. Get a signed statement from the sports doc you mention and include that in whatever you send to DoDMERB. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I'm glad that we still have the opportunity to benefit from your knowledge of USAFA for a little longer before you accept your new position at the Academy (just kidding - I couldn't resist a feeble attempt at uncovering the reason that you may need to leave the board).</p>
<p>Well, here goes. I was admitted to WP for the class of '09. I too had a history of asthma past my 13th birthday. As long as you can submit some kind of proof to them that your son no longer has problems, they will waive it. Such proof would be: A Methacholine challenge test ( a test with a series of inhaled irritants, it is the general standard that if more than 15% of total lung capacity is lost, then your child DOES, in fact have asthma), or a Pulmonary Function Test (Running/Walking on a treadmill with increasing incline/speed to put stress on the pulmonary system...). I did both, both came back clean, and I was granted a waiver by West Point. However, I do recommend you have these tests done ASAP after the DoDMERB disqualification, at your own expense...and be proactive about it...don't wait for them to tell you to go get it done. They didn't tell me to go have it done until I'd already gotten a waiver from WP (I went and had the test done myself)</p>
<p>I hope someone can help me here, I would really appreciate it.
I am a candidate for the class of 2010 at USAFA. I recently went to my doctor to get copies of my medical records, and I see that I was diagnosed with reactive airways/bronchitis last year. I was prescribed with Albuterol and Flovent to be used as a preventative measure. These were used rarely, and I have never had an asthma attack. I have run Cross Country for 5 years, running 3 miles in 17 minutes and a one mile time under 5 minutes.<br>
My breathing problems would go away after about two weeks of training at the beginning of the season. I would never have breathing problems during the season.</p>
<p>Do I have any hope of receiving a Waiver from DoDMERB and/or USAFA?</p>
<p>Do you still need those as a preventive measure? If so, I'd say your chances of getting a waiver are very slim. If you can get physician documentation sttaing all your problems are in the past and will not recur, your chances are somewhat better. I'm unfamiliar with that issue, though, so I can't comment on how it's generally handled. However, I will say that getting a waiver will be virtually impossible if you have any kind of ongoing (even if it is rare) breathing condition, despite your great running times. Worse come to worse, either research DODMERB yourself, or if you're still unsure if they'll grant a waiver, despit the time involved, you don't really have anything to lose.</p>
<p>Slane2006, read what Cadet0509 has written above. I know it is expensive, but it will remove all doubt from your mind. If the test is negative, you've done the leg work already; if the test is positive, then you can plan for that also.</p>
<p>What I do NOT recommend (even though I heard it from many people who know about such things) is that you avoid all mention of it. Make every effort to be completely upfront and honest about your record. You do not want to start in at an institution where integrity is central with something hidden. You will always be looking over your shoulder.</p>
<p>I second that...don't hide any condition! A number of kids went through the whole system, got appointments to the Coast Guard Academy, accepted all the plaudits of their peers and family, then went to R-day. A few days later they were sent home due to physical defects which were picked up at their initial physical.</p>
<p>My daughter was just granted a waiver for a full 4 year ROTC scholarship. According to Col. Dunn the surgeon at Cadet Command, he was waived 92% of all disqaulifications. The recruiting officer at the school he wants to go to will give you a pretty good idea as to his chances. My daughter was first diagnosed at age 7 1/2 and up thorough and including age 14, through out her chart "previous medical history of cold induced and exercise induce asthma: kept being listed. At age 15 she changed doctors and no mention of asthma at her physicals was mentioned. (Although a"asthma" was still listed as a problem in her electronic chart. It was eventually listed as resolved by her current physician. She was also involved in gymnastics. In the waiver application I went through her chart with a fine tooth comb and made an argument as to how this was in fact a misdiagnosis as she was never tested for asthma nor put on any daily inhaler, merely albuterol on a prn basis (which she rarely used). This discussion of her records along with a strong letter from her gymnastics coach and a letter from her current doctor who said she had never diagnosed her with asthma was sumbmitted. If your son was never tested for asthma, and was involved in sports (and you can get a letter from his coach saying he never saw him use an inhaler and never heard him wheeze) He should stand a great chance of getting a waive if disqualified. Remember he has to be diagnosed with it pas the age of 13.
Good luck.</p>