Asthma + commissioning = possible?

amanda sue · Jan 9, 2006

thanks

mistyz23 · Jan 9, 2006

I'm in the Air Force (enlisted, med tech) and know a few enlisted who had waivers for very minor diagnosed asthma.

Canan · Jan 9, 2006

amanda: do you need to take medications on a regular basis for the eczema?

misty thank you for your input.

amanda sue · Jan 9, 2006

Thanks for your response, Canan.

No, I don't need medication.

TXNAVYNURSE · Jan 10, 2006

There are excellent gentlemen and ladies in the armed forces now who do serve with previously DQ 'disabilities' (such as amputees). An amputee needs to carry his or her prosthesis (limb, artificial eye, dentals etc.) around and take it off etc., I feel that if you can control your 'disability' (even if it takes minor medications that need to be carried with you at all times), you should have a chance to serve. It's the same principle then armed forces carry their atrophine antidotes with them for organophospha (nerve gase) exposure... isn't it or am I strechting it too far:stone ?

I just got back from serving in a medical unit in Kuwait. I think that you may be stretching it too far. Give the GREAT challenges that we have had overseas managing the medical issues of military personnel deployed with complex medical problems, I expect that there will be a re-examination of the issue by the military. We saw lots of folks who had conditions that were "well controlled" in the states, but which were uncontrollable in a deployed environment.

Asthma is a particular hot button for me as I have seen asthma disable sailors with as little provocation as a whiff of smoke from signalling grenades. It is critical to understand the problem that this presents:

-The unit loses the capability of the individual.

-The unit must devote manpower to the care of the disabled.

-The above can comprimise the mission accomplishment AND place the other unit members at increased risk of injury.

Very Respectfully,

CDR Jim McGraw, NC, USN

If you can read this, thank a teacher; If you are reading this in English, thank a vet.

Canan · Jan 10, 2006

Jim; thank you for your response , you have good points.

TXNAVYNURSE · Jan 10, 2006

It's not that simple!

1. There is a tremendous blurring of the "front" and "rear" in low intensity conflict. As a result, it is hard to predict the nature of the physical challlenges that an environment will pose.

2. Even if there were clearer boundaries between front and rear... it is very hard to manage personnel in a manner that accomodates individual problems. People move around to meet the mission... we cannot carefully match movement to the specific needs of individuals.

3. Not all of the hazards relate to being at the "front" (whatever that means). Some of the worst air in that region is in the industrial areas in the rear (specificly Kuwait). We had to have gas masks at hand for envronmental hazards (not enemy action) in at least one Kuwaiti location.

4. Austere living conditions (unrelated to proximity to the "front") can aggravate many conditions that are just fine at home. Bad knees and ankles don't like walking on gravel all the time. Bad backs don't like lifting and moving heavy materials. Allergies don't like constant blowing dust.

Thanks for asking.

V/R

CDR Jim McGraw, NC, USNR