Can anyone in the military answer my question?

Specialties Government

Published

Right now, I'm working on my Associate's in Nursing and plan to go straight for my Bachelors soon after. I'm interested in joining the military, particularly the Air Force, to go into the commissioned officer training for those in healthcare. I wanted to know if anyone knew if they accept individuals who have asthma. I've never had an asthma attack, but I do take an inhaler daily and receive allergy shots to manage my asthma because it is triggered by allergies since I live in the allergy belt here in north Florida. So with my asthma not being triggered by physical exertion, never having an attack, and managing it, would I be able to join, especially since I would not be in a combat position? Thanks in advanced for any information. We don't receive recruiters on campus and I've sent information via internet but still waiting for reply.

Specializes in Ambulatory Care, ED.

I just saw a recruiter and filled out medical paperwork while there and one of the questions included asthma. From my understanding, you would need a medical waiver from your physician.

Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.

I hate to be vague, but it could go either way. You would definitely have to submit a waiver. Based on a review of your waiver the AF may or may not take you. An AD nurse that I work with has asthma and it was waiverable when she commissioned. I'm not sure of the severity of her condition. The best thing to do is submit a waiver and see what happens.

Specializes in Anesthesia.
Right now, I'm working on my Associate's in Nursing and plan to go straight for my Bachelors soon after. I'm interested in joining the military, particularly the Air Force, to go into the commissioned officer training for those in healthcare. I wanted to know if anyone knew if they accept individuals who have asthma. I've never had an asthma attack, but I do take an inhaler daily and receive allergy shots to manage my asthma because it is triggered by allergies since I live in the allergy belt here in north Florida. So with my asthma not being triggered by physical exertion, never having an attack, and managing it, would I be able to join, especially since I would not be in a combat position? Thanks in advanced for any information. We don't receive recruiters on campus and I've sent information via internet but still waiting for reply.

Out of curiosity, how do you know you have asthma if you have never had an attack?

I was diagnosed with it as a kid and I was sent to an asthma/allergy specialist last year where through testing that confirmed it. I've been lucky enough that my allergies have not gotten to the point where it would trigger one, which is why I get allergy shots and take a daily inhaler, but my lungs create a lot of mucus when seasonal allergies are at their worst and my breathing gets labored.

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