Marine Searching for Asthma Advice

by Boot Camps on February 6, 2012

I joined the Marine Corps when I was 18 years old.  My recruiter helped me get in since he told me not to include my history of asthma in my paperwork.  I had not had an asthma attack or been forced to use my inhaler for about 2 years before that, so I really was not worried about it.

But I started running into some minor problems during boot camp.  I didn’t have any major issues; I was able to pass the PT without being the last of the recruits.  But running was especially tough for me and it took me 23:30 to finish the 3 miler.  Even though that time wasn’t stellar, I was thrilled with it since I didn’t think finishing a 3 mile run was even possible for me.  In the end, it really seemed to me that my asthma was totally gone since I didn’t have any attacks through all the exercise at boot camp.

After boot camp, I was sent to the School of Infantry.  Despite the trouble I had, I still was doubtful that it could be related to asthma since that was ancient history in my mind.  Those hikes are very tough and you have to carry a 70 pound pack with you, so it seemed normal to me that I would have trouble breathing from time to time.

I had made a major effort to get stronger and improve my health, hoping that it would help me with my breathing problems.  Even though I was in very good physical shape, no amount of training had helped me with my running.

I finally went to a civilian doctor and, after some testing, he confirmed that I have asthma.  But I asked him to keep it confidential.  I want to inform the proper chain of command, but I don’t know if I should tell them that it is a recent issue or that I knew about it since my recruitment.

If a military doctor checks for asthma, will they automatically check my civilian records?  Or is it closed without my permission?  And what will they do with me if they do find out I have asthma?

I realize I made the wrong decision about not originally disclosing my situation, but I’m really hoping you can help me now.

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Tagged as: asthma, exercise, fatigue, fleet, grunt, history of asthma, inhaler, initiative, marine corps, physical shape, pound pack, recruiter, run time, school of infantry, sessions, surprise, trouble breathing

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

God August 13, 2011 at 6:30 pm

tell the truth, the recruiter said it was unnecessary to include the detail of your asthmatic history and you dont know how to proceed from here but would like to keep your current position.
Good Luck

Dont worry about wasting tax dollars they used it to create an honest, honorable soldier

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0431 December 27, 2011 at 9:29 pm

I’m in the exact same situation, myself. I’ve expended all excused I could muster. I’ve missed numerous CFT’s and PFT’s. I simply can not come up with any other excuses short of inflicting injury.

I, however, am in the reserves. I have no insurance, and no money. I CAN’T get a new diagnosis and will have to tell them about my pre-existing condition, and that my recruiter told me to withold the information.

Think I’ll be hit with a fraudulent enlistment?

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