JAG with (childhood) Asthma? Forum

[umassalpha]

Hi all,

first post. please don't tear me up too much!

I'm very interested in joining JAG after I graduate from law school next May (2011) I had childhood asthma (up until I was about 12 or so) but have not had it since, no attacks or any issues. From what i've googled it seems like there is the possibility of this being okay if you get all proper documentation and a clean bill. But, I was wondering if anyone had personal experience with this recently, and with success? I am nervous that this childhood issue will prevent me from becoming an advocate.

Thanks for any and all replies.

Asthmasucks

[Anonymous User]

Hi all,

first post. please don't tear me up too much!

I'm very interested in joining JAG after I graduate from law school next May (2011) I had childhood asthma (up until I was about 12 or so) but have not had it since, no attacks or any issues. From what i've googled it seems like there is the possibility of this being okay if you get all proper documentation and a clean bill. But, I was wondering if anyone had personal experience with this recently, and with success? I am nervous that this childhood issue will prevent me from becoming an advocate.

Thanks for any and all replies.

Asthmasucks

Dont tell them when you do your physical, if you are fine and can run 2 miles under 15 mins and 4 miles non stop without a problem then youll be fine. They only know what you tell them at the physical and what you show them, dont surrender anything you dont want them to know.

[BruceBarr]

Hi all,

first post. please don't tear me up too much!

I'm very interested in joining JAG after I graduate from law school next May (2011) I had childhood asthma (up until I was about 12 or so) but have not had it since, no attacks or any issues. From what i've googled it seems like there is the possibility of this being okay if you get all proper documentation and a clean bill. But, I was wondering if anyone had personal experience with this recently, and with success? I am nervous that this childhood issue will prevent me from becoming an advocate.

Thanks for any and all replies.

Asthmasucks

Dont tell them when you do your physical, if you are fine and can run 2 miles under 15 mins and 4 miles non stop without a problem then youll be fine. They only know what you tell them at the physical and what you show them, dont surrender anything you dont want them to know.

This is a good way to go from being a JAG to needing a JAG. NEVER lie to the military. If you have medical reports on file, they can get them. Even worse, if you have a history of asthma that goes unreported, THEN have a asthma attack... that's a dishonorable discharge for not disclosing ALL your medical history. That is something they explicatively ask you to do without fail.

And I don't know this for sure, but I can't imagine the state bar would be excited either to hear you lied to the military.

Bottom line. Don't lie. If you get caught, you will be fucked so hard your asshole will bleed.

[texanokie]

I can't speak for JAG recruiting, but last year I applied for Air Force OTS. My recruiter had suggested I lie about my own asthma history to streamline the process. Odds are I could have gotten away with it if I had. However, pay close attention to the officers' creed for whichever branch of service you are trying to get a JAG position for. You'll find that lying or withholding information runs directly counter to an officer's honor code. In fact, misrepresentation of medical information/history is grounds for immediate dishonorable discharge for fraudulent enlistment. Again, odds are you can get away with it. However, if you have a flare-up while in the service, they will get the information. It is best to be upfront about it and work your way through whatever appeals process there is for your service (usually involves a waiver from the district recruiting medical office). Getting one can have varying degrees of difficulty. The Air Force and Navy are pretty stringent (you can pretty much count on the Navy saying "no"). Your best bet is the Army, as they approve a majority of their asthma medical waivers so long as there have been no symptoms or history past age 13.

Best of luck.

You might check out this website for more info on military recruiting: http://usmilitary.about.com/

[umassalpha]

I can't speak for JAG recruiting, but last year I applied for Air Force OTS. My recruiter had suggested I lie about my own asthma history to streamline the process. Odds are I could have gotten away with it if I had. However, pay close attention to the officers' creed for whichever branch of service you are trying to get a JAG position for. You'll find that lying or withholding information runs directly counter to an officer's honor code. In fact, misrepresentation of medical information/history is grounds for immediate dishonorable discharge for fraudulent enlistment. Again, odds are you can get away with it. However, if you have a flare-up while in the service, they will get the information. It is best to be upfront about it and work your way through whatever appeals process there is for your service (usually involves a waiver from the district recruiting medical office). Getting one can have varying degrees of difficulty. The Air Force and Navy are pretty stringent (you can pretty much count on the Navy saying "no"). Your best bet is the Army, as they approve a majority of their asthma medical waivers so long as there have been no symptoms or history past age 13.

Best of luck.

You might check out this website for more info on military recruiting: http://usmilitary.about.com/

Thanks for all the quick replies everyone. I do plan on disclosing it, although it's a dream job of mine, it's not worth the risk of lying, and being disbarred, discharged or worse (not much else worse I suppose). As you have all mostly said, my best bet is to get all proper documentation, and pass tests...I haven't had any symptoms, attacks anything in over 13 years (since age 12 or so), I was just wondering if anyone had this same issue and was successful in being accepted.

Thanks again!

[MrKappus]

Bottom line. Don't lie. If you get caught, you will be fucked so hard your asshole will bleed.

Haha that was unnecessary.

[bostelo]

Hi all,

first post. please don't tear me up too much!

I'm very interested in joining JAG after I graduate from law school next May (2011) I had childhood asthma (up until I was about 12 or so) but have not had it since, no attacks or any issues. From what i've googled it seems like there is the possibility of this being okay if you get all proper documentation and a clean bill. But, I was wondering if anyone had personal experience with this recently, and with success? I am nervous that this childhood issue will prevent me from becoming an advocate.

Thanks for any and all replies.

Asthmasucks

I know when I enlisted, the medical personnel told me that if you had ANY history of asthma, it would disqualify you for service from any branch. Given, this was like 5-6 years ago, and recruiting standards have changed a lot since then. If it were me, I would just talk to your local recruiter for the branch of service you want. They will be able to give you a better idea of what you're up against.

[20160810]

Initially read thread title as "JAG with Amnesia"

What a letdown

[OGR3]

I was strongly considering going to West Point when I was a sophomore in high school. Then I was informed that my exercise-induced asthma disqualified me, despite the fact I rarely needed my inhaler.

Eight years and two wars later, I'm so thankful my weak lungs overruled my teenage machismo.

[Renzo]

You have to choices: don't tell or don't go. It's an instant disqualification, but there are plenty of people with asthma who would never show it if they didn't want to. Hell, six-time gold medalist Amy Van Dyken has asthma.

[Anonymous User]

Asthma is one of those things that unless you have a serious issue that you cant live without an inhaler then you can bypass it. I know plenty of people, officers included, that either have or had some for of it that are successful in the military. .
In basic after 1 week there were 5 people in my company that claimed the "I have asthma" only cause they couldnt hack it and wanted out. Well one guy it took a lot longer to process his paperwork and up until week 6 he had done everything to that point, passed PT with a high score, shot the daylights out in BRM and could do the road marchs no problem; only problem was he got scared in week one and started the "I have asthma" papaerwork and when it all finally caught up he moved to the bottom floor of the barracks where the people getting sent home went and he basically lost 6 weeks of his life that he could have made it though basic and the army.

The recruiters will all tell you to not disclose it unless you have a serious issue that wont let you do a 10 mile road march, a 2 mile run under 15 mins and a 4 mile run without stoppin, because that is all you need to be able to do to pass basic army standards. They are not going to go digging for some childhood asthma diagnosis and unless you mention anything thhey will have no lead to look for it at all. With the shortage of officers they are going to streamline you in if you can just make the minimum standards for the physical. Good luck.

[03121202698008]

You have to choices: don't tell or don't go. It's an instant disqualification, but there are plenty of people with asthma who would never show it if they didn't want to. Hell, six-time gold medalist Amy Van Dyken has asthma.

Not always. Everything is waiveable. If AFRTS DQs you you'll have to appeal for a waiver but many are granted for even worse things.

[umassalpha]

Thanks all for serious and not serious responses!

FWIW I can pass the Army PFT's right now for my age bracket. Haven't looked into other branches tests. I also spoke with a marines Capt. who stated that for any condition after age 12, they need documentation and a clean bill before they can proceed with officers training/recruitment.

Anyway, I guess I kind of know what I need to do, seeing my doc next month to get the clean bill and then get the proper documentation from my pediatrician...

Any other input is welcome, even if it's crude!

[Anonymous User]

I had a minor episode when I was about 5 years of age. A few years ago, I was having these weird panic attacks and thought it was asthma. My doctor prescribed me an inhaler that I rarely use but I don't recall her diagnosing me with asthma. I believe it she diagnosed me with "allergies". Well I now have my panic attacks under control and I was prescribed Zoloft twice. Do you guys see any potential issues I may have? I can run my miles woth no issue and I am in pretty decent shape.

[hawkeye10]

I had a minor episode when I was about 5 years of age. A few years ago, I was having these weird panic attacks and thought it was asthma. My doctor prescribed me an inhaler that I rarely use but I don't recall her diagnosing me with asthma. I believe it she diagnosed me with "allergies". Well I now have my panic attacks under control and I was prescribed Zoloft twice. Do you guys see any potential issues I may have? I can run my miles woth no issue and I am in pretty decent shape.

They'll make you go off Zoloft if you're on it now. Also, check to see what exactly your doctor diagnosed you with.

[NavyLaw]

I was commissioned in the navy in 2007 and simply had a note from my doctor that I had childhood asthma (up until age 13) and am now symptom free. this processed with my medical package without any issues. check with your branch of service to see what their age cut-off is for childhood asthma and get a note from your doctor that you have been symptom free ever since. however, it this isn't true it should go without saying that lying on your application is a terrible idea.

[WanderingPondering]

Regarding Marines: to qualify for OCS, you need to do well on the PFT. Perfect score is 100 crunchez in 2 minutes, 20 deadhang pullups without dropping, and a 3 mile run in under 18 minutes. You need to be damn close to these to have a shot.

If you can knock the PFT out, I wouldn't disclose the athsma if you haven't had a flare up in years. Of course, if that's the case, a waiver would be possible.

Also re: Marines, JAGs are front line officers and trained like one. That means the same 6 months at TBS as every other officer right after OCS.

[Anonymous User]

I had a minor episode when I was about 5 years of age. A few years ago, I was having these weird panic attacks and thought it was asthma. My doctor prescribed me an inhaler that I rarely use but I don't recall her diagnosing me with asthma. I believe it she diagnosed me with "allergies". Well I now have my panic attacks under control and I was prescribed Zoloft twice. Do you guys see any potential issues I may have? I can run my miles woth no issue and I am in pretty decent shape.

They'll make you go off Zoloft if you're on it now. Also, check to see what exactly your doctor diagnosed you with.

I just got off the phone with my physician and the only thing they have on my records is "asthma as a child but no inhaler needed". There are some things on there such as panic attacks and allergies to dust and mold (though not severe) so I guess I can just go get testing done and have my doctor attatch a note saying everything is okay?

[Anonymous User]

Just apply (ideally to all branches early and often) and don't worry about it too much until you get recommended.

I finished going through the process in the last year with a history of asthma through age 16. I disclosed everything and had to see a couple of doctors in order to eventually get a waiver approved, but was eventually successful. Nobody can tell you beforehand whether you will be able to get a waiver, but it is definitely possible.

Try not to worry too much about it now, there isn't much that you can do before you enter the accessions pipeline. Ultimately, only the doctors at MEPS will be able to tell you whether you are medically qualified.