Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
6'3" is no barrier to FJ - tallest in the Harrier I know of is/was 6'6", so unless you have a very long back and terminal duck's disease, it won't on its own stop you. Clearly the A levels can, though if you have 160 points already, then an AS level taken pronto could get you above 180.
Language aptitude is only needed for WSOp linguists. Not required for Loadies.
N.B. Previous posts are incorrect. The RAF only requires candidates applying for commission to have 2 A Levels. Grades E and above. AS levels are not considered to be a subsitute, i.e. two AS doesnt not count for one A.
Im 16 and been looking forward to a possible career as a fast jet pilot, somthing that i has been my dream since i was 5 years old. I recently discovered that hayfever may stop me from carrying on with this possible career. I have never been tested for hayfever, so it is not on my medical record, although in my younger years i did suffer from it for a couple of weeks in June. However over the past few years my symptoms have become less serious and they are now practically nothing. I sneeze once or twice a day and my eyes do not itch or water (this is during peak hayfever times). Hopefully, fingers crossed my hayfever will disapper by the time i leave University. Would i be able to not inform the RAF careers about my hayfever if it has disappaeared? Also are there any possible medicines or methods to completely remove my hayferever?
Any replies would be much appreciated, thanks for your time =)
Keep schtum, it will only raise questions and you don't need the selection process to be any more stressful or drawn out than it already is. For what it's worth, I developed my "summer cold" one summer a few years ago, having been in the RAF for several years. It doesn't stop me doing my job, the offices and cockpits I work in are air conditioned. Deployed field ops might be a pain in the arse, and I'd suspect some of our rotary crews have issues with pollen. The bottom line though is that once in, you become an expensive asset which can be treated with drugs to control the symptoms. I think you can call it what it is now, rather than a "summer cold".
Are you planning on joining a 'British' fighting force? The reason I ask is because as you would be protecting my family and friends in the event of war, i'd hope you'll consider going off and doing something else. One sneeze at the hands of a fast jet and you'd be toast, or your mistake could kill many people, or at least you might be unable to prevent the enemy from killing many people. One sneeze. It may be hayfever to you sonny, but to others its a matter of life and death!
Think long and hard on that one.
Helimutt are you serious?! The OP says he is pretty much clear of symptoms and there is nothing on his medical record. Hayfever is something that a lot of children get and grow out of.
OP - If you have accurately described the serverity of your symptoms now, then I don't believe you have any problems whatsoever and you don't have anything to confess.
If you are looking for ways to conceal hayfever, then consider that self medication is a big no-no for flyers. I don't think there is a total cure for hayfever, just anti-histamines such as loratidine or cetrizene hydrochloride. The main problem with anti-histamines is the potential side-effect of drowziness.
I had hayfever when I joined up(not as the elite from the skies though !!) did'nt tell them, saw my MO when at my first unit, he gave me some tablets, then did another 11 yrs til I got out.
If it ai'nt on your medical records don't tell anyone !!!
If you have not been diagnosed with hayfever then don't admit to it. Volunteering information to the military will get you farked. The Lance Corporal at the gate will take great pleasure in making your life hell, if you give him the opportunity.
My very short military experience was that lieing was good, and telling the truth will get you no-where.
Same story as scarecrow450 - don't mention it at the medical, just say no.
"Introduce" it late on in training, doc gives you pills and then, as I did with no shame whatsoever, go on to fly for years.
Symtoms all but disappear once you put on an oxygen mask. I think Helimutt must be refering to the joystick response on his early version of Flight Sim...
Just remember that civilian recruiters look at personal networking and other websites to see what candidates are saying about themselves (and others). Would it be naive to think that military recruiters were not as devious/bright/careful!
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