Can I join the army with asthma

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I am a nurse at an ICU in Michigan, and am trying to get into the army anesthetist program. The only problem is that I have asthma. I just took a PFT, and I failed it. My asthma is very well controlled, and I barely need medication. In addition exercise actually makes it better. Can I get a waiver for this issue with a failed PFT or is this a definite disqualification?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Government / Military Nursing forum

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

What does "failing" a PFT consist of? I've worked with a lot of COPD patients and never heard that terminology. And if you barely use medication.....??

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Asthma is a disqualifier. A good friend was rejected by all four major service branches because of it.

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Knew a soldier who displayed her inhaler on her desk at work. No idea whether she was known to have asthma upon her enlistment, but she successfully went through an entire career. My guess is that the asthma was not disclosed at enlistment.

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I guess I just picked up the word failing after reading on all of the military forums that you have to pass a pft. Basically the pft shows I have asthma

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The recruiter I spoke with made it sound like it wouldn't disqualify someone if they have asthma. He wanted me to get a pft and then he would submit it for a waiver if it showed I did have asthma. So I'm just wondering if anyone knows of anyone who has gotten a waiver for asthma.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

My oldest son got into the Army with asthma. His is mild intermittent and he seldom uses his inhaler. He had no problem getting in.

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I guess I just picked up the word failing after reading on all of the military forums that you have to pass a pft. Basically the pft shows I have asthma
Usually in the context of failing PFT is physical fitness test not pulmonary function test. So you have to pass a physical fiteness test. Whether asthma is a disqualifier is depedent on your PFTs and how well controlled.
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Thank you for your response. Can you tell me if he had to take a PFT? Also what was his job?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I can state that it truly doesn't matter what your military JOB is, you will be a SOLDIER first and must be able to fulfill the entire scope of that role.

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I do not understand why people ask these questions on the internet. The only people who can give you an accurate answer is the Army.

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