From a (former) US Army Medic -- 91c, Long Course
"Don't ask, don't tell." I think this is now USArmy policy, maybe law. I was frequently in charge of inductee screening. Whoever did the (whatever it's called) color-blindness test would sometimes ask when the potential inductee failed, would ask them why they wanted to join the Army -- were they running away from home, (wife, arrest, lawsuit, parents, general BS, or whatever) or because they wanted to serve their country. If they answered the latter, some examiners might say "Congratulations, you just passed!" The test is a book of colored dots -- one person would look at it and see a bunch of dots that looked to form the number "3" while a "normal" person would see a multi-colored "27". If I were you and I had a problem passing a test, or question, I'd ask the administrator of the actual test itself that if one failed the "test" and the examiner "accidentally" certified "passed" on it ,would the examiner ever likely get into potentially SERIOUS trouble -- the answer would likely be "NO," if they're honest. Well, mistakes happen! Mistakes happen. And in the Army, mistakes happen ALL the time, and nobody wants to admit it, because it goes on one's "permanent record" -- remember that from grade school? Ever seen it again? Well, it "MIGHT" be seen again in the Army if one really F's up -- like show up with a BAC over .04, I think it is, and crashes a jeep or something -- but it goes on the COMMANDER"S record too, so it's less likely to be filed if HE'S got a half-ounce of sense. You know, "CYA,". As to color blindness, what's the MAJOR need for color recognition in the world? -- RED light's on top, yellow in the middle, w/green at the bottom. If one comes to an intersection and makes a "military stop," regardless of traffic control (wheels stop turning, forward motion ceases and one counts, [one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three,] shift gears and goes,) with caution, -- WTF cares or knows? Who cares if one knows magenta from purple?!!! Now if you're flying a Warthog..., magenta might be a necessary recognition, I don't know. But I'd bet if I could fly one (with the DU cannon) I'd love to blast the **** out of some Syrians, Iranians, North Koreans, Paki's, and probably lie (I mean, evade the truth) to do it! But I'd hate to cause a "friendly fire" incident because I couldn't recognize red, but who're you planning to hurt with asthma? Ok, you get out of breath -- anyone will in the line of fire. Take your Albuterol or other OTC allergy med shipped from home with your cookies and die like a PATRIOT trying to save your buddy, democracy, or whatever your reason. I'm 62, anybody need a 62 y.o. medic?-- bet I could save a life or two still, but who wants me!? YOU DO IT!!! I'd like to help those guys find "72 virgins," (you've heard the joke about Bin Laden goin' to Paradise, haven't you?) 'cause there ain't any more virgins around HERE I've found lately!
I know of someone who had a minor MJ bust many years ago who was at a very young age -- they arrested every male in a park (probably illegally) and that person conceeded in court, (the record later got lost and was legally expunged) but was advised by an Army colonel to tell the recruiter "NO" when asked if he had any kind of arrest record. So what are they gonna' do to ya' later -- send ya' to the sandbox or home? Kick ya' out? I don't think so!!! MAYBE d/c ya', but not dishonorably, probably medical. I doubt that, because asthma or allergies are too easily treated. You might've shot a Redcoat, (illegal, of course in 1775) --smoked some pot or even borrowed a car that wasn't yours without asking. Volunteer, serve and be a Patriot, don't let a little crap, little people or little politicians stop you. I'm not a lawyer or attorney -- this advice and $1.69 will get one a cup of coffee down at the 7/11) so YMMV, that's just my two cents worth and it's worth every cent you pay for my opinion. STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE. (Oh yeah, and carry a discreet Albuterol inhaler always, Singulair, antihistamine, etcetera. Have them regularly sent from home with your cookies.) Sounds to me you MIGHT have "allergies" to everything, and EVERYBODY has allergies! BFD.
CARRY on! (With Honor, and Valor)
Best to you,
Gary