A question for you Army guys about Black Hawk Down.

[the ringo kid]

It's been awhile sin ce I last watched it but-due to me having Asthma probs--reminded me of something I saw in the movie. OK, dunno if anyone remembers why I was never accepted for service in the Military or not? because of my asthma--but, I noticed in a scene in that movie shows a soldier using an inhaler for his Asthma probs. Question is--is: when did the military start allowing those with asthma, to serve?

Im wondering if mine was too severe?? and the "soldier" in question's wasnt as bad as mine??

I think it was this guy who used one?

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Ringo:

I left the service (Army) in 1980. During my tenure, I served as a Medic, and then a Nurse. I routinely saw a number of young, healthy people develop asthma, and if it was not cured within a short period of time (through medications like inhalers and short term doses of steroids), they were medically separated from the service.

I always thought this was unfortunate, but I understood the reason for this action. Imagine my shock when during a PT test, I developed shortness of breath, and had to take an ambulance ride to the ER. Yep, I had developed asthma as an response to airborne allergens. I was lucky in that I was: a) in the medical field, so I got excellent and immediate care, b) I was in a critical job specialty, and c) planning on leaving the service in less than a year. My doctor gave me a "profile" that gave me a bye on doing strenuous activities until I left the service. Once I returned home to Texas, and completed my medication regime, I've been fine. I still have episodes of wheezing at time (I have horrible problems with allergies), but I think the medications, at least in my case, are more problematic than they are worth.

In response to your question, I think it is possible for the young trooper to have been using an inhaler, but probably unlikely.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Texas Star]

I was denied enlistment in the USAF until my doctor wrote a letter affirming that I hadn't had asthma within the period of time required to join. I'd had some allergy shots that kept asthma at bay for some years, Alas, it returned in my late 20's and has been a constant problem since.

 

[Smoke]

My mother insisted that I had asthma as a kid. The information packet I got for BCT said if you have asthma it will manifest during basic but I never had an attack.

 

[Donn]

When I went in, (1969), two guys flunked the physical and got sent home. One guy had scarlet fever as a kid, weakened his heart. The other had half his big toe missing on one foot. The draft was "y'all come" at the time. I don't know for sure, But I've got to believe some of those guys who passed had asthma.

 

[Steve912]

I had a platoon sergeant who had asthma...he actually
was hospitalized for a few days, a couple of times with it.
Did his full twenty years and retired.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Donn has got it right! I was drafted in early 1965. During the induction center physical, guys were waving X-rays and doctor letters which were generally ignored. I flunked the hearing test(legitimately) so I took it again and flunked. That was OK since the Army wasn't on the hook for my disability.

My basic company had at least 5 guys who had no business being drafted or enlisted(both physical and mental problems). They went home after proving they were unfit the hard way.

The draft boards and recruiters had quotas so warm bodies were good enough. I always wondered if the Army traced back the bad recruiters.

 

[the ringo kid]

Hi Ringo:

I left the service (Army) in 1980. During my tenure, I served as a Medic, and then a Nurse. I routinely saw a number of young, healthy people develop asthma, and if it was not cured within a short period of time (through medications like inhalers and short term doses of steroids), they were medically separated from the service.

I always thought this was unfortunate, but I understood the reason for this action. Imagine my shock when during a PT test, I developed shortness of breath, and had to take an ambulance ride to the ER. Yep, I had developed asthma as an response to airborne allergens. I was lucky in that I was: a) in the medical field, so I got excellent and immediate care, b) I was in a critical job specialty, and c) planning on leaving the service in less than a year. My doctor gave me a "profile" that gave me a bye on doing strenuous activities until I left the service. Once I returned home to Texas, and completed my medication regime, I've been fine. I still have episodes of wheezing at time (I have horrible problems with allergies), but I think the medications, at least in my case, are more problematic than they are worth.

In response to your question, I think it is possible for the young trooper to have been using an inhaler, but probably unlikely.

Regards,

Dave

Thank you and I kinda wondered about that scene. My dad had asthma too=-but he was accepted into the Army Air Corps-stayed in through Korea. The thing on him is, he had always been in school sports-especially running-so could easily do the PE stuff. Me--I had to carry a sprayer? with me always-and when I got over-heated-my asthma would start up. I lost weight and it seemed to go away-but now im thinking im getting slammed due to airborne pollen etc. I think Houston ruined me-as it just started effecting me then-never left.

 

[the ringo kid]

I was denied enlistment in the USAF until my doctor wrote a letter affirming that I hadn't had asthma within the period of time required to join. I'd had some allergy shots that kept asthma at bay for some years, Alas, it returned in my late 20's and has been a constant problem since.

I was bothered with it bad-but after losing half my body weight-it disappeared till after I moved to Houston. Austin didnt help much either and it got worse there. Now back in Corpus-where I was never bothered with allergies-cept bee stings--it hasnt left me.

 

[Texas Star]

I was bothered with it bad-but after losing half my body weight-it disappeared till after I moved to Houston. Austin didnt help much either and it got worse there. Now back in Corpus-where I was never bothered with allergies-cept bee stings--it hasnt left me.

You need to see a specialist. Carry an emergency inhaler (not called a "sprayer") at all times. This will be albuterol under several brand names like Proventil or Pro-Air. I prefer the latter because the unit is smaller than others and has a counter on the frame, so you know how many puffs are left. Carry a pocket notebook and record its use and that of other meds so you don't overuse or skip a dose of anything, like Breo or Advair, if the doctor places you on them. Using Advair greatly lessens the frequency with which I have to use the emergency inhaler. One may keep you off of Prednisone, if your asthma is bad enough.


I seldom have to use my nebulizer, but if I need it, it can keep me out of the emergency room.


Your doctor will probably want to do a series of skin tests to determine which allergens and foods you're allergic to. I think living in a coastal area has harmed your asthma. The heavier air is harder to breath and you may be ingesting allergens that aren't present further inland, like some molds and fungus. If you have added trouble breathing in rainy weather, my doc told me that it's because the moisture-laden air is heavier.


The medications aren't cheap. A single Advair diskus costs over $300. I don't know your financial status, but contact Texas Health and Human Resources (211 on the phone) and apply for food stamps, the SNAP program, and for Extra Help with prescriptions via Social Security if your income is low enough.


You need to determine how bad your asthma is and begin formal treatment. You may well be at serious risk.


Be very alert to attacks. For instance, I told the waiter and the manager in a Mexican restaurant not to include anything in my meal that contained jalapeno peppers, to which I'm very allergic. The stupid cook broiled my chicken breast on a grill where he'd just been cooking jalapenos. The juice residue cooked into the chicken and I had a severe attack. Only my inhaler saved me. An ambulance would have been too late.


The air today in most metropolitan areas is very dirty. Pay attention to the weatherman if he gives Orange or Red Alert days when its worst. Stay indoors then.


Avoid cities like Los Angeles or Mexico City, which have severe smog problems.

 

[rwsmith]

How bad they need ya......

I was rated 4F due to my eyesight when the Vietnam war was 'winding down'.

Now, if there were a war going on, it would probably be different. There's plenty of jobs a guy with lousy eyesight could do.

Remember the thing about a one armed man and a blind guy. They told the blind guy to pump the pump handle and the one armed guy would tell him when the bucket was full.

One thing I like is that there really is something for every kind of person. I took a tour one time and this guy had a skilled job but it was VERY specialized and repetitious. I felt good for him because he was really proud and excited about what he was doing. Good for him and the people that put him there.

 

[rwsmith]

It sure is different...

Things have come a LONG way. Everything in immunology and auto-immune diseases, even AIDS studies have helped other fields along. I started allergy shots in the 60s and I could tell some improvement, but not a lot. I've taken them in the past few years and they are MUCH more effective. Both the testing and the extracts are much more advanced. Anybody that needs help in this department I really encourage you to look into it.

 

[Smoke]

I had a platoon sergeant who had asthma...he actually
was hospitalized for a few days, a couple of times with it.
Did his full twenty years and retired.

Well I'm sure you know that past a certain point the GOBC takes over and unless you absolutely can't hack it you will make your 20 and you will retire.

 

[Steve912]

Well I'm sure you know that past a certain point the GOBC takes over and unless you absolutely can't hack it you will make your 20 and you will retire.

Not sure if that would apply to ole SSG Hill. I think it was more that asthma wasn't an automatic disqualifier to service.

 

[Huskerguy]

Maybe not asthma

I contracted a lung disease many years ago and as a result I have some asthma, hardly take any meds for it, a little in cold weather. Meds fixed the lung disease and I was fine for many years. Then a couple years ago I get sick again and cant breath, congestion, etc. Turns out I have a second lung disease, not related to first and no cure. I have auto immune issues. I go to National Jewish in Denver, best people in the world. Over the years I have talked to numerous people taking asthma meds. If things didnt sound right I always suggest dumping the local doc for this stuff as the lungs are very complicares. I am amazed at how many find out it is something else, not asthma. VCD is very common - vocal coard disfunction and acts like asthma. There can be lung problems but the meds only work on a certain portion of the lungs. I am blessed to have the best doctor ever, she saved my life twice.

 

[eveled]

I always wondered about allergy meds in the service. I'd be a mess without my Zyrtec. Do they issue you drugs like that before you go into the field? Or do they give shots during basic to eliminate allergy's.

I know some guys who had all their teeth pulled when they joined up. They were told they'd be better soldiers without cavity's.

 

[amazingflapjack]

The Vietnam draft-especially "McNamara's 100K" is no rule of thumb as to "fitness for service" as some have already posted. What I saw was wholesale cannon fodder when drafted in January of 1969. Stuff many folks wouldn't believe today. Whole street gangs rounded up by MP sweep and herded onto buses-severe disabilities that were obvious to any casual observer-mental capacities that were at or barely above retardation, and other compassionate considerations that are now routinely accepted, and much more.

 

[Texas Star]

Back to the original question, the men in, Blackhawk Down were a mix of Rangers and Delta Force. America's most elite soldiers... Do you really think any of them can have asthma and be tolerated in those units?
I doubt SEALS or Force Recon Marines can have asthma, either. Ditto for USAF Spec. Ops.


Either the man in the pic isn't using an asthma inhaler, or the movie people have probably made a massive error.
He may have had a lung infection that caused him to temporarily need an inhaler, but not for chronic asthma.


Bear in mind that this movie, like the real incident that it portrayed, was set in 1993, not in the Vietnam era. The US Military had long been a volunteer force.


For those unfamiliar with this, two of the real NCO's portrayed received the Medal of Honor (posthumously) for their valor.


I think I have the DVD. Need to watch it again. My nephew served near there last year, in a Naval unit based ashore.

 

[Smoke]

the movie people have probably made a massive error.

Well we know that never happens

 

[JJ_BPK]

Back to the original question, the men in, Blackhawk Down were a mix of Rangers and Delta Force. America's most elite soldiers... Do you really think any of them can have asthma and be tolerated in those units?

I doubt SEALS or Force Recon Marines can have asthma, either. Ditto for USAF Spec. Ops.

Either the man in the pic isn't using an asthma inhaler, or the movie people have probably made a massive error.

He may have had a lung infection that caused him to temporarily need an inhaler, but not for chronic asthma.

Agreed, the entry requirements for the lead up schools, Airborne, Ranger, SF Q, do not have the same med waver clip points. All the shooters in that film were held to a much higher standard. SFOD-D is by invitation only. The HALO & Combat Divers courses are even harder..

My Combat Divers graduated 11 out of 87, About 1/2 DNF'd for ear or sinus problems.

I believe DoD Instruction 6130.03 will give you the entry level standards for all medical wavers. Asthma (493)??

Be advised, Recruiter have quotas and they will try their wildest to fill them, as such, you may get a stretch on your wavers,, for a little while.. But it will probably bite you in the A$$ before you finish..

At one time only 1 in 15 troops were shooters. There are many satisfying MOS 's that don't get to WIN Purple Hearts..

PS: Merry Christmas..