Hi everybody. I have been getting myself very worked up over something I recently discovered on my records on accident.

First of all, I have already been to meps and did my swear in. On my medical questions I put no to everything, because I did in fact think I had none of what the questions asked.

However I did see on my records that I was prescribed an inhaler 3 years ago. The question at meps did ask if you were ever prescribed an inhaler.

I want to be clear that I do not have asthma and my records show I was tested for asthma after the prescription. I do NOT have any respiratory issues. The inhaler was prescribed because I had gone in for a chest pain and after a a battery of tests that came up clean and normal, my doc told me I could get the inhaler if i wished.

The record specifically notes "only use inhaler IF there is trouble breathing during exercise"

I was never diagnosed with anything, in fact, i never even got the inhaler. I really did forget about it because it was so minor.

My question is, will i get in trouble for "lying" or "forgetting" that minor blemish on my record? or will they see what it was for and not care? I should note my job will require a secret SC. I think i am getting worried over nothing and my recruiter agrees. Hypothetically speaking, if they find out I was prescribed an inhaler for something so minor and forgot about it, will i get kicked out? Should i play dumb if they find it? I am kind of getting worried here that this is going to get my discharged.


Thanks everybody.

Yes, you are getting worked up over a non-event. Even though the records show an inhaler mentioned, they also show that none was actually needed after the resulting examination and testing.

By the way, its never ok to just play dumb. If asked about it, own up to it for what it is....a memory error.

Thanks a lot gunnery sergeant for your hasty reply. So I guess my more specific question is. Lets assume x amount of time for now, it is discovered. Would they really give me the boot over such a small issue after I went through all of the training? Or is a lie a lie, no matter how tiny it was?

An honest ommission is not a lie.

Now if you actually knowingly lied about it, then you should fess up.

Lies are just that, lies.

I don't know what your current situation is or at what stage you are at in all this.

During MEPS, and even at start of boot camp, they give everyone opportunities to set the records straight. After that you run out of alibi's and chances. Then you'll just have to accept what happens, good, bad or indifferent.

You mentioned completing the training. Not sure what training, boot training or job specific?

If you made it that far, and you have to apply for a security clearance, I'm pretty sure there is a spot in the notes section (is there something in your past you want to tell us about before we find it?) where you can get this out in the open and behind you.

By training I meant basic, mct, and job. Of course the clearance business will be done before all of that, so I should just assume my time to come clean would be then.

Question: How does the military determine what is a lie and what is a case of "they forgot"?
Ive heard pretty horrible stories about fessing up upon arrival at mcrd. Sounds like they dq anybody who comes clean regardless of what it was.

So if I did mention that on this "notes" section...what happens? Does it go up somewhere to decide my fate? or does the investigator keep it in his/her notes as a "good faith" effort to correct a problem? I am just concerned that mentioning anything after meps will be taken as a "you lied, youre out" situation. I do plan on making the military my career, but now I am worried a very minor thing can end that. I do understand it is my fault, but now I am trying to protect my own ***.

As I said earlier, a lie is a lie. Only you know if you told a lie.

It's all about integrity. If you are willing to tell a lie and maintain the lie over such a small thing, how are you going to react to the really important things you will encounter during your service to this nation?

As to how they can tell a lie from an I forgot? When someone lies, they give off subtle physical clues. So it just depends on the investigator. If the question is being brought up and they already have documented evidence and your answers contridict it, then......well you know the rest.

Everyone signs the contract and swears that everything in there is the truth and nothing but the truth. Alibi opportunities are given at different stages of the induction process. Much mention is made of fraudulent enlistments. They aren't talking to hear themselves talk with this regard. They mean every word of it. So yes, they treat this type of thing very seriously. After all, one lie always leads to another and another. This is a proven fact. Ferret out those that don't belong, that is their responsibility.

Now I know this might be coming across as harsh, take it for what its worth. The issue at hand isn't about an inhaler that was never used, it's about the lie itself.

Who knows, it might never get mentioned and all this is for naught.

The gunny is giving you sound advise, listen to him and try not to act as if you are weaseling out of something. You are getting the best advice you will get on this matter so the more you qualify your question the worse it sounds.

Accept the facts, make your decision and move on. Only you know the truth and only you can live up to your comments.

Yes, I am being hard on you but you can expect something less than loving care from the people training you in the military. It is a good experience and will push you kicking and screaming into adult hood.

Hey all,
I've a similar situation here. i went to meps and got already enlisted and now am waiting to be shipped to basic training. during the medical exam i forgot to mention that i had food poisoning months ago and spent about two hours in the emergency room. I know this is trivial and non life threatening issue but am worried if this is considered to be a lie or not?? should i go to meps and report it?? or should i wait till basic training?? will they give me a chance there to correct my records?? can this really stop me from enlisting??

Wait until basic. As I stated above, they ask and that is the time to mention it for the record. Emergency room visits for something like that are essentially non-events and are not disqualifiers to serve.

Thanks thats really relieving!!
God bless u Sir!!

Yeah, as Gunny said, don't sweat that. Food poisoning is not a permanent condition that is of zero consequence.

As a matter of fact, when I served, it was.....kind of a thing of mine. I contracted some serious food poisoning cases in damn near all the "exotic" places I ended of "visiting."