Joining The Army/Armed Forces

[Reynard Bleu]

Not really. In all other walks of life equal opportunities employment exists, but for the armed forces it's strenuous physical work for which people need to be in absolute top condition - having asthma in the army would put you in a very dangerous position.

Standard for patrol in Hellmand would be body armour, which now consists of front, rear and side plates designed offer some protection to soldiers from small arms fire and IED blasts but weighs around 40lbs. In addition to this, a typical soldier on patrol in Afghanistan will carry: a weapon (10 to 20lbs); radio, batteries electronic equipment (40lbs); water (10lbs); ammunition (20lbs); Javelin missile or mortars (25lbs). They will also be required to wear eye, groin, ear and knee protection as well as gloves and a helmet. The temp is 40C + and the enemy quite likely is going to shoot at you at some point. An asthma attack is not going to improve your chances and your mates will be relying on you to do your job. There may be trade jobs in support units within in the Army that would take you, but you still have to pass the physical entry tests.

[MrSpaM]

I had a friend who got into the airforce, and he had chronic asthma, so you'll be able to join to some capacity if you can get through the training.

[somebum]

Besides all the advice on joining up, have you ever considered going on a raw food juice diet? You can end your asthma with the power of raw juice, google it.

[shass]

My daughter passed all her entrance tests for the Royal Navy but missed out due to being prescribed an inhaler for an asthma related problem three years previously.

It must be a minimum of four years without. The silly suggestion that you try and hide it by someone posting earlier will not work. Your medical records are handed over when you join as you are no longer under the care of your local GP, obviously.

Ex Matelot.

[Trav Le Bleu]

The ads put me off. The voice says do you want all this? And theres a scene of blokes running around getting shot at. No thanks.

There's a great ad for the army on the radio that goes along these lines... "Right lads, we need to take the fortified hilltop before they bring reinforcements in at dawn, so we'll sweep round tghe perimeter whilst you try and take out the heavy artillary from the rear. Yes YOU, you listening to the radio - I need YOU!"

Me? Seriously? Have you ever seen me playing Modern Warfare? Cos that's not even real and you can take several bullets before you die and even then I might only last 10-15 mins on a good day!

[Rincewind]

I'm hopeless on those games I dont even get past the first corner and my targeting is non-existent.

[The Year Of The Fox]

I have always wanted to join the Army or Armed Forces however I suffer with Asthma. I've always been told that I would be unable to due to my Asthma because I have it bad, my last Asthma attack was the end of January this year which left me in Hospital for a day.

Just seeking advice if anyone of Foxestalk had been in the Army or Armed Forces and have Asthma? Could I still join the Army or Armed Forces or join to some capacity.

Thanks Ash.

Why not apply, go for selection etc where you'll be examined thoroughly anyway. They may defer your application before selection until they have sent you to see a specialist. I had to go somewhere down London for a problem I had. (MOD pay for travel expenses)

[boring_jester]

My daughter passed all her entrance tests for the Royal Navy but missed out due to being prescribed an inhaler for an asthma related problem three years previously.

It must be a minimum of four years without. The silly suggestion that you try and hide it by someone posting earlier will not work. Your medical records are handed over when you join as you are no longer under the care of your local GP, obviously.

Ex Matelot.

If you have ever looked at your medical records there is no info passed over from your gp. Only what you have told them and/or what the doctor as to get information from your gp at the time of recruitment if he is unsure if you passing your medical. Ex matelot, what boat/ship was you on

[Leicfox]

I did 5yrs in the Army. I went down with heat stroke after doing a tab in Canada and the Army supplied me with an inhaler (which I never used) and then discharged me on medical grounds saying I had asthma.

I got a nice pay-out though as it was a misdiagnosis.. Never had or still haven't had asthma.

[Rincewind]

couldnt you get a second opinion before you left/discharged?

[Fox92]

I am going to apply for RAF after christmas I think.

I have been unemployed for months after gaining leaving college. I planned on applying for university, but I thought to myself today, university might be another 4 years which I obviously have to pay for, when I could have a good career (not job) in the Air Force doing something I live, meeting new people and visiting different countries.

People that I went to school with are in the RAF and they love it. It sounds great, and it is a fantastic career after all.

Just wondering if anyone can enlighten me a little further. I might visit a careers office in Sheffield, as I did 3 years ago, to get more information. Just wondering what the training is like etc. - I think there is someone signed on FoxesTalk currently serving in the RAF.

[Rincewind]

They even have a Facebookpage about Joining the army, visit exotic places,

Just found this in a search. search page re ashma and joing the armed forces.

[The Year Of The Fox]

I am going to apply for RAF after christmas I think.

I have been unemployed for months after gaining leaving college. I planned on applying for university, but I thought to myself today, university might be another 4 years which I obviously have to pay for, when I could have a good career (not job) in the Air Force doing something I live, meeting new people and visiting different countries.

People that I went to school with are in the RAF and they love it. It sounds great, and it is a fantastic career after all.

Just wondering if anyone can enlighten me a little further. I might visit a careers office in Sheffield, as I did 3 years ago, to get more information. Just wondering what the training is like etc. - I think there is someone signed on FoxesTalk currently serving in the RAF.

Dunno if its too late for you now, but look out for scholarships. The army have a 6th form college now based in woodhouse eaves just down the road from here. They sponsor people to go there for a levels, then to go to uni with a guarenteed posting in the (cant think of the name now, but REME, Engineers, Signals etc) providing you get through sandhurst of course!

[Jackirius]

I am going to apply for RAF after christmas I think.

I have been unemployed for months after gaining leaving college. I planned on applying for university, but I thought to myself today, university might be another 4 years which I obviously have to pay for, when I could have a good career (not job) in the Air Force doing something I live, meeting new people and visiting different countries.

People that I went to school with are in the RAF and they love it. It sounds great, and it is a fantastic career after all.

Just wondering if anyone can enlighten me a little further. I might visit a careers office in Sheffield, as I did 3 years ago, to get more information. Just wondering what the training is like etc. - I think there is someone signed on FoxesTalk currently serving in the RAF.

What were you thinking of doing? I know RAFRUDY is a pilot in the RAF, and i'm sure there are a few more. There was a thread on it not long back.

[Fox92]

Dunno if its too late for you now, but look out for scholarships. The army have a 6th form college now based in woodhouse eaves just down the road from here. They sponsor people to go there for a levels, then to go to uni with a guarenteed posting in the (cant think of the name now, but REME, Engineers, Signals etc) providing you get through sandhurst of course!

Thanks but I aint interested in army like, but I rekon it might be a good read if the RAF offer anything like that. It sounds like a good scheme though.

What were you thinking of doing? I know RAFRUDY is a pilot in the RAF, and i'm sure there are a few more. There was a thread on it not long back.

ICT technician.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Thanks but I aint interested in army like, but I rekon it might be a good read if the RAF offer anything like that. It sounds like a good scheme though.

ICT technician.

That's what I was getting at is expect the raf to do something similar

[shass]

Boring Jester.

Hello there ... was on H.M.S. Fearless then H.M.S. Jupiter then H.M.S Rhyl, Shore at Victory for awhile and finished my service on H.M.S. Diamond (ships company, training ship )

Left in 1979 and joined Fire Service.

Found this with link What happens to my records if I have changed my address?

If you have changed your address and have moved outside your GP practice area you should register with a new GP practice as soon as possible. When you have done this your records will be sent to your new GP practice. You will also be sent a new medical card.

The RN take over from your GP (or did) when I left my medical records where forwarded to a GP I had to register with.

www.psd.scot.nhs.uk/doctors/transfer_of_gp_health_records_faqs.html#change_practice

[Fox92]

That's what I was getting at is expect the raf to do something similar

Ohh right Yes they do, I have just checked. Cheers