Looking for Input..

[WiscoGTI]

Ok, so long story shortened.. I've been in the Army reserves since Jan. '09. Never deployed. Now I just found out last week, that I've been on a permanent profile since Jan. of this year for my asthma. I was never informed (to my knowledge) and was just told about this. It has been affecting my 2 mile run.. pretty significantly. But whatever. I've been working through it.

Anyway.. they have me at a P3. And to my understanding are in the process of med boarding me. Now, as far as I know (and correct me if I'm wrong) a P3 basically means I'm getting med boarded either way. My UA said I could possibly get it reduced to a P2 to keep me in.. but that since I'm an MP I would probably have to reclass and would stay on my permanent, non-deployable profile.. Now, I joined the Army to be an MP.. nothing else. Theoretically I could reclass to a cook, mechanic or admin and stay with my unit.. but none of those MOS's intrigue me in the slightest.

So here's the pickle I'm in..

I either reclass (if forced) and stay in at a P2.. but never deploy. Which to me is pointless to stay in then. I'm just taking up a slot for no reason. It's like going to practice but knowing you'll never get to play in the game.

Or.. I don't fight the med board, and I just get out and keep my benefits. Which sounds like a good idea.. except it bothers me to get med boarded over asthma when people who lose limbs and have other severe, REAL problems get med boarded. I just feel like a bitch if I go out that way.. but what are my options?

I never intended to make a career out of this. And didn't plan on re-enlisting. I'm an E-4 btw.

Suggestions? Thoughts?

[Sponsor]

[drunkyoda]

sounds like you have no choice... cant really just get rid of your asthma... either way it sucks hard..

[WiscoGTI]

Yeah.. it's weaksauce.

[ah1f39]

Trust me it's not a "game". Not getting deployed to a real warzone isn't necassarily a bad thing. Rear line troops are needed too.

If you don't fight the med board and get out with an honorable discharge, you can use your GI Bill and College Fund to go to school and get on with the rest your life.

If you don't plan on making a carreer of the service get out and go to school.

There is nothing dishonorable about your situation. Be proud that you volunteered to serve even for a short time.

[WiscoGTI]

I apologize.. I definitely did not mean to make war out to be a game. Guess I should have used a better analogy. I just meant that getting deployed is what I joined for. So if I can't..

But I definitely hear what you're saying..

[6SPD_soul]

There are a ton of dual status jobs available almost exclusively to reserve troops, you should stay in if you can and try to find a niche there. They all pay a living wage right away and you just have to stay enlisted. Around $18 an hour to start for every kind of job, and that was 3 years ago. Might be less now considering how America is generally , but whatever, the jobs are there.

Making a living is more important than saying you deployed, if you can stay in and you can tolerate the bullshit, you should try to do it. FT. McCoy and Volk Field both probably have a bunch of dual status jobs.

[WiscoGTI]

Yeah.. my recruiter did tell me to lie about it.

But from what I've been told.. if I never had a prescription inhaler for it (which I didn't) I should be fine on that end. But we'll see I guess.

[DarkSpork]

Originally Posted by goinloco1

Sorry to hear. But my question would be how did you even get in with asthma? It's an automatic disqualifier.
If you knew you had it before doing the paperwork I hope to god your recruiter didn't tell you to say no to it.
Its not something you suddenly have and the army knows that.

I know two people got med boarded out of the Air Force for asthma. I know two who stayed in but are non-deployable, but they can pass their run. So in total, that's 4 people I know, who somehow "developed" asthma while in the military. I don't think it's too uncommon.

But I agree with what's already been said. If you don't want to re-class and you're being offered a medical separation I'd take it. If you have enough time in service, use your GI Bill to get your degree and get a good job.

[WiscoGTI]

Thanks everyone for all your input.

I think I may take the med board and use my GI Bill to get my degree.. but I'm still not 100%.

And another question. Does anyone know how a med board from the military would affect someone who wants a career in law enforcement? There's plenty of overweight cops out there. So I'm hoping that wouldn't kill my chances to be a cop.

[GO.army.1969]

Wow that sucks man I have asthma and I use an inhaler never got a profile for it just got back from a deployment. You need to talk with your Doc about this you should have known about your profile. Also look at your AKO it shows your medical readyness