This read may be rather long, I hope you take the time to read my experience and coming conclusions.
I enrolled nearly 5 years ago as an overseas candidate. I spent nearly $20k travelling back & forth between interviews and processing as required during the recruitment process.
I am an older applicant.
I wanted to enlist as an officer.
I wrote the CFAT and my scores qualified me for all trades.
I was successful in the MARS exam.
My interviews went well.
My background investigation was a literal nightmare since I have been overseas for an extended period of time. It took literally 'years' to get my clearances which all were successful.
My educational background & employment history is rather extensive and unique.
I wanted 1 particular trade (training & development officer) to which I was told I would never be offered since the position was extremely competitive and they don't come up very often.
I had only 1 concern. Since childhood I have always been told I have asthma. I have been told to carry an inhaler & have done so religiously since it has been always drilled into my head since I was in elementary school to keep one with you.
I can ride 140km on a bike for 5 hours and feel awesome. I can run 10km and laugh it off. My resting pulse during the summer can be in the 30's. I have always been and am 100% confident in my physical ability. Regardless of my extensive education & work experience, I pride myself on my fitness before anything else.
On point of principle, I refused to lie about my childhood asthma & my inhaler use during my medical. During my initial medical, I was asked to fill out forms of medications currently used. I checked the box listing 'asthma' as a condition I have always been branded having & ventolin since I do have a blue inhaler. I also checked Propecia since I don't like worrying about hair loss and have a sense of vanity.
I was very upfront about it. I stated I have been diagnosed with asthma and have had taken inhalers because they really do help with the smog in East Asia during some bad days. The medical tech listened and wrote everything down and asked me 'when was the last time you were hospitalized'? To which I answered 13. Why were you hospitalized? She asked me. Because if you wheeze at all, your mom grabs you by the arm, throws you in the car an takes you to the hospital...it's not like you have a choice in the matter. She smiled and seemed to understand my sentiment. Do you still use it? Yes, I replied. When do you use it? When the air from China comes and the smog really makes it hard to breathe. Inhalers are prescribed and they cost $1. They also make it feel easier to breathe. Do you need it before exercise? No. Do you need it after exercise? No. We discussed my inhaler use, how my lungs felt and she seemed to think my breathing was more from allergies than asthma. I expressed my surprise and suspicion since my whole life I have been told I have asthma. On really shitty days, I use an inhaler & 1 puff puts you at ease. She listened to my lungs and all seemed fairly good.
Reading all the content on this site was both disheartening since there were those who stated they were rejected due to asthma & those who stated they did over a decade with it.
Last year I did the entire medical again and I did not check the asthma box. I was emailed about it since my previous medical stated I used inhalers on occasion because of my asthma and she wanted to clarify the issue. The fact I had been diagnosed with asthma in the past and use an inhaler did not kill my application. I told her that there were times when the smog was so bad I used the inhaler and was grateful it worked so well. We discussed my usage and she stated she would have to forward my medical report to the RMO in order to get the final word. Several weeks later I was declared Med FIT.
I was not required to do any asthma test or provide any documentation. I stated yes I've been diagnosed with asthma, I've been told I have it all my life and I do have an inhaler. However, it has been over 30 years since I was hospitalized for asthma. How much did this affect my file I have no idea.
Fast forward to a few days ago I received an email from my recruiter and later spoke with him on the phone. He informed me I have been chosen for the position of training & development officer. I was informed I would be receiving a formal offer in the coming weeks via email. I will of course accept the offer and looked at the gov't website regarding what you are to bring with you to basic.
Prescriptions
Copy of marriage certificate.
I will of course be providing my prescriptions for Propecia and Ventolin as they were declared during my medical. I have yet to figure out how to get an 'authenticated' copy of my marriage certificate in a manner that is simple and easy.
To say I am looking forward to basic would be an understatement. I have been in processing for over 5 years. It would have been extremely unprofessional to lie about any medical condition that could affect your performance. It would be stupid to believe that one may lie about their health records which may be uncovered. A good rule of thumb being if it has been written down officially, then it is there FOREVER. Do not lie... If you do, you will always be known as the guy who lied on your application.
So yes, I stated I was diagnosed with asthma, I used an inhaler in the past and I was declared medically fit. My experience seems to go against the grain of many other experiences here, but I am happy it did.