Hpsp helpppp

[Domalana]

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So I just called to speak to a recruiter for the HPSP airforce scholarship. The guy I was talking to was very helpful but then he asked if I had any medical issues and I mentioned that I have asthma but that it is very controlled and not a big deal and he basically told me 9 times out of 10 I am going to be turned away and that it is a major red flag so I should not even waste my time applying.

My asthma really is not a big issue at all. It used to be in high school, but now it is very controlled and I do not even take my inhaler anymore. I am a very dedicated runner and just ran a full marathon without taking my inhaler once or even bringing it to the race.

Does anyone know anything about how strict they are with asthma or if I have any shot at getting the 4 or even 3 year scholarship for the Air Force? I am also interested in the Navy or Army if the Air Force does not work out, but I wanted to join the Air Force even before I wanted to do dentistry....

My stats:
3.75 GPA
DATs-- 17 PAT 23 AA 24 TS
Also, I know the 17 PAT is horrible. I am probably retaking my DATs, but would rather not risk lowering my other scores 🙁

 

[Roto Picante]

From what I understand, Asthma is an absolute deal breaker. Even if it weren't, good luck getting any recruiter to take the time to work on your application when they have dozens of apps from people with equal stats and no disqualifying medical issues. I don't know for sure but I sure but I bet they wouldn't want to go through all of the work when there is very little chance you would be accepted anyway.

 

[Domalana]

Okay. Thank you for the honest advice! Good news, I talked to my mom about all of it and it turns out I was never really diagnosed with asthma... It was just "mom diagnosed" and the inhaler I used to use is prescribed in my brothers name. I have not really had any symptoms in years so my "high school asthma" may have just been from being out of shape

 

[dfib slim]

.

 

[MatthewLeeDDS]

I believe asthma over the age of 13 is a deal breaker. I just told them it hasn't been a problem since I was a child. The military physician just asked me a couple questions about it and signed me off. They cared more about my previous fractured arm than anything else.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using SDN Mobile

Same case with me (minus the arm deal). It's an age thing.

 

[AFDDS]

If on active duty, any diagnosis of asthma is an automatic medical evaluation board for determination of fitness to serve. If the diagnosis comes once you are already on active duty, it would need to be pretty severe asthma to get a medical separation/retirement. If not on active duty, a diagnosis of asthma is a non-qualifying condition. If you have no diagnosis of asthma, you should be ok. If it has been diagnosed, it can be looked upon poorly that you hid it.

 

[Domalana]

Okay, thank you! I was never actually diagnosed. My older brother has asthma so my mom let me use his inhaler when I was running cross country in high school when I complained about my breathing. I am almost 100% sure that I do not actually have asthma because I never really had any symptoms outside of that brief period in high school (I only used the inhaler for one season then realized it didnt really help me) and continue to run and work out daily... I am pretty sure that was just my excuse for being out of shape. Would it be beneficial to get checked or am I safe because I never really was diagnosed and do not show any symptoms?

 

[AFDDS]

Can't really give medical advice via the internet. I think you will just have to make this decision.

 

[Vigilante]

Okay, thank you! I was never actually diagnosed. My older brother has asthma so my mom let me use his inhaler when I was running cross country in high school when I complained about my breathing. I am almost 100% sure that I do not actually have asthma because I never really had any symptoms outside of that brief period in high school (I only used the inhaler for one season then realized it didnt really help me) and continue to run and work out daily... I am pretty sure that was just my excuse for being out of shape. Would it be beneficial to get checked or am I safe because I never really was diagnosed and do not show any symptoms?

So first thing, I'm just a dental student and no doctor, but my dad is a pulmonologist, so I'm just passing along info that I've heard from him. I'm a terrible runner and get out of breath pretty easily when I run, so I thought I may have asthma and went to him about it. He said the easiest way to tell if you have asthma is if you have trouble exhaling, not inhaling. So if you're out of breath and just feel like you can't take in enough oxygen, that's normal; if, on the other hand, you're breathing hard because you have difficulty expelling air, you may have asthma. Also, like you said, if you use an inhaler, it will only help if you actually have asthma; if you don't, then it does jack. So, based on that, it sounds like you don't have it, but obviously, I doubt the air force will consider me a credible authority. Why don't you just go to a doc for a formal diagnosis? If you actually have it, you're no worse off than you were before; if you don't, then you'll have the chance to get the greatest scholarship in the world (especially if you go AF...not that I'm biased or anything.) Hope this is somewhat helpful. Good luck!