British Army Medical - any experts on here?
Discussion
Hi
My 21yo son has just been rejected from joining the BA on medical grounds. It relates to use of a nebuliser for his asthma when he was 13 plus a case of scleritis when he was 16.
On the former he has been medically clear of asthma for over 5 years now; runs 10km runs weekly amongst other fitness stuff; and on the latter he didnt even know that he had been diagnosed with it let alone have any impact on his life ( i.e no medication prescribed or taken and the flare up went away within days).
Therefore he wants to appeal the decision.
If there is anyone on here who can provide some help, guidance or inside track on this I would be very grateful. It's all my lad has wanted to do since he could remember.
The irony is that he applied for Officer Training passed the medical and got through to the last stage of selection before deciding that he would prefer to join as a squaddie!! The reason for this was that he really didnt like the desk based stuff that came with rank...
Please feel free to PM me if you would prefer.
Many thanks
My 21yo son has just been rejected from joining the BA on medical grounds. It relates to use of a nebuliser for his asthma when he was 13 plus a case of scleritis when he was 16.
On the former he has been medically clear of asthma for over 5 years now; runs 10km runs weekly amongst other fitness stuff; and on the latter he didnt even know that he had been diagnosed with it let alone have any impact on his life ( i.e no medication prescribed or taken and the flare up went away within days).
Therefore he wants to appeal the decision.
If there is anyone on here who can provide some help, guidance or inside track on this I would be very grateful. It's all my lad has wanted to do since he could remember.
The irony is that he applied for Officer Training passed the medical and got through to the last stage of selection before deciding that he would prefer to join as a squaddie!! The reason for this was that he really didnt like the desk based stuff that came with rank...
Please feel free to PM me if you would prefer.
Many thanks
oblio said:
Hi
My 21yo son has just been rejected from joining the BA on medical grounds. It relates to use of a nebuliser for his asthma when he was 13 plus a case of scleritis when he was 16.
On the former he has been medically clear of asthma for over 5 years now; runs 10km runs weekly amongst other fitness stuff; and on the latter he didnt even know that he had been diagnosed with it let alone have any impact on his life ( i.e no medication prescribed or taken and the flare up went away within days).
Therefore he wants to appeal the decision.
If there is anyone on here who can provide some help, guidance or inside track on this I would be very grateful. It's all my lad has wanted to do since he could remember.
The irony is that he applied for Officer Training passed the medical and got through to the last stage of selection before deciding that he would prefer to join as a squaddie!! The reason for this was that he really didnt like the desk based stuff that came with rank...
Please feel free to PM me if you would prefer.
Many thanks
As long as your son has been cleared from asthma or asthma like symptoms for a minimum of 4 years, it shouldn't have caused any issue at all.My 21yo son has just been rejected from joining the BA on medical grounds. It relates to use of a nebuliser for his asthma when he was 13 plus a case of scleritis when he was 16.
On the former he has been medically clear of asthma for over 5 years now; runs 10km runs weekly amongst other fitness stuff; and on the latter he didnt even know that he had been diagnosed with it let alone have any impact on his life ( i.e no medication prescribed or taken and the flare up went away within days).
Therefore he wants to appeal the decision.
If there is anyone on here who can provide some help, guidance or inside track on this I would be very grateful. It's all my lad has wanted to do since he could remember.
The irony is that he applied for Officer Training passed the medical and got through to the last stage of selection before deciding that he would prefer to join as a squaddie!! The reason for this was that he really didnt like the desk based stuff that came with rank...
Please feel free to PM me if you would prefer.
Many thanks
This is from the British army website - https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/can-i-join/m...
Chest disorders:
Asthma, strong asthma-like symptoms or treatment for related illnesses within the last four years.
I feel for your son, my old girlfriend was kicked out of her dream job as an officer in the RAF because she had an asthma attack whilst out running on base, she didn't know she had it and was pretty much given a medical discharge. I believe she was a Flying Officer.
Just an additional question regarding passing the officer medical and selection but deciding to go as a squaddie because he didn't like desk based stuff, personally i think your son has really done himself a great disservice as he'd still of been able to get into the field, the pay and benefits would have been much better and his prospects upon leaving the army would have been vastly better.
Edited by Regiment on Monday 8th October 15:02
Thanks for this. I have passed it on. 
They have quoted some regs at him...
"JSP 950 Part 1 Lft 6-7-7 - RESPIRATORY PRE-ENTRY ANNEX D - 4D. 5c
Candidates with a recorded history of asthma, with the following features, would be normally graded P8.
c. Those who have required more than one nebulisation since the age of 5."
and...
"JSP 950 Part 1 Lft 6-7-7 - EYES PRE-ENTRY ANNEX A - 4A. 2j
The following conditions, in either or both eyes, will normally exclude entry:
Sclera. A history of scleritis."
He is trying to speak with his mentor about this. Also he knows a good amount of ex forces folks as he is an adult leader (and now trainer) with the ACF so I have suggested he see if any of them know any MO's who can help him/advise him. I think what we need to get to is a letter signed by a Dr, with wording which basically craps all over their raised issues.
Input from a serving or ex MO will be vital I reckon!
Re Officer training - he did the last but one assessment centre (2 days from memory) and passed with a B grade - meaning that there were things he had to work on. The "things" were the desk based stuff which he really does not like at all. I taught him in 6th form college for 2 years and it was a struggle
On the outdoor stuff he was in the top 3 on the assessment centre day, he flew it.
We would have preferred him to join as high up as possible (as any parent would) but he will be happiest as a squaddie working his way through.
Cheers again
They have quoted some regs at him...
"JSP 950 Part 1 Lft 6-7-7 - RESPIRATORY PRE-ENTRY ANNEX D - 4D. 5c
Candidates with a recorded history of asthma, with the following features, would be normally graded P8.
c. Those who have required more than one nebulisation since the age of 5."
and...
"JSP 950 Part 1 Lft 6-7-7 - EYES PRE-ENTRY ANNEX A - 4A. 2j
The following conditions, in either or both eyes, will normally exclude entry:
Sclera. A history of scleritis."
He is trying to speak with his mentor about this. Also he knows a good amount of ex forces folks as he is an adult leader (and now trainer) with the ACF so I have suggested he see if any of them know any MO's who can help him/advise him. I think what we need to get to is a letter signed by a Dr, with wording which basically craps all over their raised issues.
Input from a serving or ex MO will be vital I reckon!
Re Officer training - he did the last but one assessment centre (2 days from memory) and passed with a B grade - meaning that there were things he had to work on. The "things" were the desk based stuff which he really does not like at all. I taught him in 6th form college for 2 years and it was a struggle
On the outdoor stuff he was in the top 3 on the assessment centre day, he flew it.
We would have preferred him to join as high up as possible (as any parent would) but he will be happiest as a squaddie working his way through.
Cheers again
Wow, a P8 essentially means that he'd be unfit for any job or role in any of the military services essentially. I'm very surprised he got passed the officer medical but failed for squaddie with something like a P8. You're going to need somebody a lot more knowledgeable than me i'm afraid in regards to this so good luck. I went through a similar thing to your son when i was 16 when i was told i'd be unfit to be a pilot for the RAF because of my height, the distance between my knee and my hips in a seat position was too great. It was a little devastating.
Regiment said:
Wow, a P8 essentially means that he'd be unfit for any job or role in any of the military services essentially. I'm very surprised he got passed the officer medical but failed for squaddie with something like a P8. You're going to need somebody a lot more knowledgeable than me i'm afraid in regards to this so good luck. I went through a similar thing to your son when i was 16 when i was told i'd be unfit to be a pilot for the RAF because of my height, the distance between my knee and my hips in a seat position was too great. It was a little devastating.
Ok cheers 
He developed and then left behind asthma, in his early teens. It came and went in a couple of years...just growing pains really. He had one bad winter but then never looked back...
We are kind of banking on the fact that he passed the officer medical (a full day if not 1.5 days from memory) as evidence that he is OK and fit for service.
It just seems very unfair. It is all he has ever wanted since he could think/walk/talk. He has been training now for 18 months and got himself super fit...he is even having sessions with an ex PTI who trained with the SAS! Real beasting/throwing up sesssions they are too!!
If anyone else reading this knows a serving or ex British Army Medical Officer, I'd be very grateful for a chance to connect with them...
Thanks in advance
Just a quick additional question, was it a different doctor when he did the medical for the officer as for the squaddie medical? If it was, might be worth seeing if you can reach out to the first doctor to see if he missed anything in relation to the asthma and eye problems and if he didn’t miss it, why the doctor passed your son but the second didn’t? I don’t know if it’s black and white and the first doctor should have also failed your son or whether it’s based on the doctors opinion when looking at older conditions that have cleared.
This sort of thing has become extremely common since capita took over recruitment. I think, but would stress that I don't know for sure, that where military would have made a judgement call previously, capita now treat it as a commercial contract that they'd be breaching if they provided less than perfect medical applicants.
That said, I joined pre capita and the doctor said I was legally blind as I read the bottom line of the eye test chart to him unaided, so there's no accounting for idiots. Appeals may help.
That said, I joined pre capita and the doctor said I was legally blind as I read the bottom line of the eye test chart to him unaided, so there's no accounting for idiots. Appeals may help.
I had asthma as a teen and like others have said I passed my medical due to not having treatment for the required number of years.
What is it that he wants to do as a squaddie? If I had my time again I’d give officer a serious attempt or not even bother. Maybe the RN or RAF mayhave similar roles but different testing/manning shortages?
What is it that he wants to do as a squaddie? If I had my time again I’d give officer a serious attempt or not even bother. Maybe the RN or RAF mayhave similar roles but different testing/manning shortages?
I had similar issues when trying to join a couple of times. Misdiagnosed asthma as a kid. Chest infection in my 20's so the GP gave me an inhaler to help. Army medical board declared I had asthma and would not accept an appeal letter from my GP.
Got in at 31(reserves) and they tried rejecting me on other medical grounds which were rubbish. I had backing from the Reserve centre I was to be based at so managed to get through.
I think the Army medical board are looking for any way to reject people. Which considering they rate of retention is so low right now, is somewhat surprising.
Got in at 31(reserves) and they tried rejecting me on other medical grounds which were rubbish. I had backing from the Reserve centre I was to be based at so managed to get through.
I think the Army medical board are looking for any way to reject people. Which considering they rate of retention is so low right now, is somewhat surprising.
OP, search for JSP950 on Google. This is the medical manual they have provided the conditions from. I would link it but it is a downloadable .pdf.
Has he been rejected at the pre joining questionairre point or the full medical declaration - RGMD?
There are two conditions barring entry here and, unfortunately, I think both of them may be a blocker. Often JSP950 will state a path to acceptance i.e. if x condition is met the candidate may be marked P2 or equiv. This does not exist for either of the conditions your lad has/had.
Regarding 'passing' the medical for officer training, was this during attendance at AOSB or prior to attending? If memory serves me right, they don't do a medical assessment at the first one (breifing) but only at main board (the one he has yet to attend). If the doctor he went to was a pre joining medical (at an NHS doctors that are on an approved list) then the quality of these can vary wildly, some just look you up and down and rubber stamp to collect their money. The peak flow meter my doctor asked me to blow into ejected so much dust into his face I doubt he had used it in months.
You should ensure he gets in contact with the unit he wants to join and explain the medical response, if they are able to help, and appeal, they will. Your son should also ask for advice on ARRSE, but they are probably less forgiving and more pedantic than PH.
Finally, I knew a guy who was told he was medically unfit when he went for his commission due to a serious food allergy he had since birth. At this point he had already been to Afghanistan twice as a soldier...
Has he been rejected at the pre joining questionairre point or the full medical declaration - RGMD?
There are two conditions barring entry here and, unfortunately, I think both of them may be a blocker. Often JSP950 will state a path to acceptance i.e. if x condition is met the candidate may be marked P2 or equiv. This does not exist for either of the conditions your lad has/had.
Regarding 'passing' the medical for officer training, was this during attendance at AOSB or prior to attending? If memory serves me right, they don't do a medical assessment at the first one (breifing) but only at main board (the one he has yet to attend). If the doctor he went to was a pre joining medical (at an NHS doctors that are on an approved list) then the quality of these can vary wildly, some just look you up and down and rubber stamp to collect their money. The peak flow meter my doctor asked me to blow into ejected so much dust into his face I doubt he had used it in months.
You should ensure he gets in contact with the unit he wants to join and explain the medical response, if they are able to help, and appeal, they will. Your son should also ask for advice on ARRSE, but they are probably less forgiving and more pedantic than PH.
Finally, I knew a guy who was told he was medically unfit when he went for his commission due to a serious food allergy he had since birth. At this point he had already been to Afghanistan twice as a soldier...
Sorry i can'ty help on the medical side of things but as ex infantry soldier reaching the dizzy hights of Corporal (1996 - 2003) I would echo the above comments of if he has a chance of Sandhurst and becomming an offcer TAKE IT.
I dreamt of being a soldier all my life, done the ACF and loved it. Started basic training at 16 years and 9 month - The youngest you could back then. I was in for life, the full 22 years. 8 years and 1 day later I left the army after tours of Northern Ireland, Bosnia, kosovo and Iraq and exercises all over the place. I then went to Iraq to do secuirty work in Baghdad for a few years and then left to work with the then named Serious Organised Crime Agency in a "related field". A couple of months ago I moved on again into the private sector.
In every job I have come accross, ex forces of all ranks and 99.9% of the time the ex officers have the "better" jobs than the "other ranks that I meet.
I say this knowing that THE BEST JOB EVER, is being a section commander in an infantry fighting platoon (follwoed closly by some stuff I done in SOCA/NCA)
Your son will get all the experiences if being a "squaddie" (a crap name for a professional soldier) during his time in Officer Training. He will get every experience of soldering as an officer plus some that the lower ranks wont get. i.e postings abroad etc.
On top of this when he does leave the army, which one day he will, he'll be in a club tha tmoney can't buy (except for cavelry officers, as they all loaded), which will open doors for decent jobs.
Almost anyone can be a rifleman, paratrooper, machine gunner, tank driver, vehicle mechanic, drunken bum scrapping on a friday night in the local haunt/NAAFI bar, PTI, EOD, bridge builder BUT it takes something different to lead this rabble of Warriors.
Very few get selected for officer training from "the ranks" - just ask Sharpe.
If he has what it takes to be an Army Officer he should with out shadow of down do that.
I dreamt of being a soldier all my life, done the ACF and loved it. Started basic training at 16 years and 9 month - The youngest you could back then. I was in for life, the full 22 years. 8 years and 1 day later I left the army after tours of Northern Ireland, Bosnia, kosovo and Iraq and exercises all over the place. I then went to Iraq to do secuirty work in Baghdad for a few years and then left to work with the then named Serious Organised Crime Agency in a "related field". A couple of months ago I moved on again into the private sector.
In every job I have come accross, ex forces of all ranks and 99.9% of the time the ex officers have the "better" jobs than the "other ranks that I meet.
I say this knowing that THE BEST JOB EVER, is being a section commander in an infantry fighting platoon (follwoed closly by some stuff I done in SOCA/NCA)
Your son will get all the experiences if being a "squaddie" (a crap name for a professional soldier) during his time in Officer Training. He will get every experience of soldering as an officer plus some that the lower ranks wont get. i.e postings abroad etc.
On top of this when he does leave the army, which one day he will, he'll be in a club tha tmoney can't buy (except for cavelry officers, as they all loaded), which will open doors for decent jobs.
Almost anyone can be a rifleman, paratrooper, machine gunner, tank driver, vehicle mechanic, drunken bum scrapping on a friday night in the local haunt/NAAFI bar, PTI, EOD, bridge builder BUT it takes something different to lead this rabble of Warriors.
Very few get selected for officer training from "the ranks" - just ask Sharpe.
If he has what it takes to be an Army Officer he should with out shadow of down do that.
Thanks all
I have passed the comments on to my son.
He has spoken with his mentor who has said to go to the Dr and get him/her to write a letter and provide peak flow stuff etc. Personally though I don't think that this will be enough tbh given that he had a P8 on there.
My lad is seeing the MO for the Regional ACF this weekend so will speak with her. Once he has done this I have suggested that he should in effect write the letter based on her advice and then get the Dr to sign it. That way he can reflect the specific advice from the MO if she can help. He should then back this up with relevant peak flow stuff etc. I have also suggested he get a second Dr to provide evidence as well, as a second opinion. He may have to pay and go private for this.
In terms of the medical he already had with the Army. He went away for at least a day and they did exhaustive tests on him...including strenuous exercises on a static bike with a face mask on etc. It was a very rigourous day which makes their decision now all the more strange given that he passed that and then went on to a 2.5 day assessment centre down in Westbury (from memory).
He wants to join the Paras btw.
I have passed the comments on to my son.
He has spoken with his mentor who has said to go to the Dr and get him/her to write a letter and provide peak flow stuff etc. Personally though I don't think that this will be enough tbh given that he had a P8 on there.
My lad is seeing the MO for the Regional ACF this weekend so will speak with her. Once he has done this I have suggested that he should in effect write the letter based on her advice and then get the Dr to sign it. That way he can reflect the specific advice from the MO if she can help. He should then back this up with relevant peak flow stuff etc. I have also suggested he get a second Dr to provide evidence as well, as a second opinion. He may have to pay and go private for this.
In terms of the medical he already had with the Army. He went away for at least a day and they did exhaustive tests on him...including strenuous exercises on a static bike with a face mask on etc. It was a very rigourous day which makes their decision now all the more strange given that he passed that and then went on to a 2.5 day assessment centre down in Westbury (from memory).
He wants to join the Paras btw.
oblio said:
He wants to join the Paras btw.
Ive done 12 years in the Marines and have friends in the Paras. From a pure soldiering POV then that’s the best avenue to take IMHO but I never fancied jumping out of an aeroplane.However if he’s educationally qualified to be an officer like I was then I’d suggest he seriously reconsider! Once the excitement of being in the paras wears off then he’ll start getting bored mentally and wonder what the hell hes doing there.
If I had my time again I’d have left after 4 years or done something else while I was single with the RFA, RN or the RAF. I’m in the process of transferring to the RN!
dai1983 said:
Ive done 12 years in the Marines and have friends in the Paras. From a pure soldiering POV then that’s the best avenue to take IMHO but I never fancied jumping out of an aeroplane.
However if he’s educationally qualified to be an officer like I was then I’d suggest he seriously reconsider! Once the excitement of being in the paras wears off then he’ll start getting bored mentally and wonder what the hell hes doing there.
If I had my time again I’d have left after 4 years or done something else while I was single with the RFA, RN or the RAF. I’m in the process of transferring to the RN!
Yes he has the Level 3 quals but is adamant its what he wants to do. We thought about it at length and we spoke about it also at length too but he has the fianl decision to make. We know our lad: he will be happier working his way through.However if he’s educationally qualified to be an officer like I was then I’d suggest he seriously reconsider! Once the excitement of being in the paras wears off then he’ll start getting bored mentally and wonder what the hell hes doing there.
If I had my time again I’d have left after 4 years or done something else while I was single with the RFA, RN or the RAF. I’m in the process of transferring to the RN!
At the moment unless we can overturn the medical judgement he wont be doing anything though...
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