Foreign Service Medical Exam?

Question

I have very mild asthma. I hardly ever have to take any medication, but there are rare times when I need to. Does this preclude me from being accepted into the Foreign Service? Please only answer this question if you know for a fact the answer to my question, or have been through a class one medical screening test. Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

Be sure to get rid of your asthma because it could be detected during the medical examination and could be a ground for disqualifying you.

Answer 2

This will be a judgement call on the part of the Medical Clearance folks, who are extremely strict.  A new FSO usually has to qualify for a Class One clearance, meaning they are available to work anywhere in the world, including places that might seriously aggravate a condition that is easily manageable in the US, and places where medication is simply not available.  For example, while your asthma is very little trouble here in the US, are you sure you would not have a flare-up in, say, Peshawar, Calcutta, or Yaounde that could be life-threatening?

Here is a link to official information on medical clearances for new FSOs.