RN Officer Aircrew and Asthma

[FAA2006]

Hi girls/guys,

Just thought I would put a post on here regarding Aircrew and Asthma. I am 20 years old and had mild childhood asthma, this went when I was around 10-11. I am now due to start with the Royal Navy in the next few months as Officer Aircrew (p). So I would say to you all, go Fly Navy!! Be honest and don't try to hide anything, you will only be found out, don't ruin your chance! Oh and NEVER tick you would accept to be Observer, you will almost certainly be streemed as Observer. Stick to your guns, it is possible! I hope this is some use to some of you. Best of luck to you all!

[Jackonicko]

Astonishing! The Forces showing flexibility on a historic medical condition. Congratulations to them, and to you, and no doubt to whoever reported on your medical history.

But you do realise that your nickname will be 'Wheezer'.....

[airborne_artist]

He'll be a snotty (http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=snotty) for the first two years of his RN career anyway.

[FAA2006]

I come from a Naval familly who have all been Ratings!! Its already started! I asked the Navy straight away if it was a Bar from flying duties and they said no, as long as you have been clear for 5 years or more! I am not going to argue with this!! I believe that the RAF are still very scared of Asthma. The RN and I believe the AAC look at each individual!

Any tips for BRNC?

[OpsMunkie]

Officially I believe the RAF are supposed to have the same poilcy, though I know people that have been both turned down on account of a history of asthma and accepted despite one.

[adrian mole]

Had a pal who was rejected for applying for Helicopter Crewman duties a couple of years ago because he suffers from hayfever....

[R 21]

Hayfever is a bar on joining as a crewman but if you suddenly develop while in the mob it's OK........... so Im told!!

[JAG3]

Sorry, Sorry Guys because I'm sure your'e sick of hearing me go on about asthma but I just feel I need to explain my situation to get any new opinions.

I had asthma as 8 year old (17 now) and just used my blue inhaler and NEVER had an asthma attack-I rarely used it except for colds which hit me and i still didnt even think it worked.
When i started getting interested in the raf as a navigator i went to a specialist in my local hospital who diagnosed me without it and said jokingly ''you'll be a topgun yet''
I then rang my GP to see if the asthma could be deleted from the computer and he said yes but the fact that its written down means that its permanant and cant be deleted but said he would clear me for the RAF.
I am fit and play sports upto 4 days a week and never had any problems.
Would the fact that my specialist and my GP said a career in the raf is 'OK' have any bearing or gave me a case to fight on the raf's decision to accept me as aircrew.:ok:

[airborne_artist]

You know the answer:

http://www.flynavyheritage.org.uk/fly_navy2_jk.jpg

[JAG3]

I really don't know if I could do that because the RAF has been my dream because of the history and respect behind it and I've never had much interest in the navy.:ok:

[airborne_artist]

I've never had much interest in the navy

If you want to fly, and the Navy might take you, but the RAF won't, then what? A sudden and compulsive interest in all things briney, I suspect :E

[JAG3]

It's a hard question to answer because I've interests in my other options such as FC or IO but the flying side I feel will probably wipe those other options out.

[OpsMunkie]

You will certainly have a case to fight if they turn you down solely on the asthma issue. I know people who have done this successfully, but it might take a while. Make sure you're honest with the medical questionairre though, as they will only find out later if you have covered something up (and it generally doesnt look good if you do). Besides, you never know, they may take you anyway.

Good luck

[JAG3]

When I've asked the question before I have had replies about guys now piloting F3's but I have also had quite a few saying that I haven't got a hope in hell.

[OpsMunkie]

Well here's an idea then. How about applying and seeing what happens. OASC are the only ones that will be able to give u an accurate answer ;)

[FAA2006]

As the above post says, try the RAF, if thats what you really want! Be honest and if they say no, you have lost nothing. In your situation (which was once mine) you have nothing to lose!

However, if you are desperate to fly, then I would say you are going to have to look at FAA or AAC. I chose FAA simply because the slim chance of getting streemed FJ.

If you decide to join the RAF as a Ground Trade Officer, you will be looking at the Pilots/Aircrew wishing you could do that and you will become a bitter person.

Go and talk to the Navy, they are a friendly bunch and are there to help YOU! After I talked to the Navy, I didn't even think about the RAF. Maybe you should give it a go.

Good luck with everything. Don't put all your eggs in one basket!

[Wannabe1974]

the RAF has been my dream because of the history and respect behind it and I've never had much interest in the navy.:ok:

History? RAF?

[JaguarT4]

I didn't pick up on that! The Navy also has a long and VERY succesful history, ask the French and the Spanish!

[FAA2006]

Don't just make your'e choice on history and respect. Look at all the reasons. I agree the Navy does have a very proud history but that shouldn't be your'e only reason for chosing the Navy, nor should the Battle of Britain be your'e reason for wanting to join the RAF.

[JAG3]

I knew I shouldn't of said about the history because I recognise the great successes and sacrifices they have made ie. Falkands, Northern Ireland, WW2 etc. but I think in terms of aviation history it has to be the Battle of Britain and another thing is that I have been set on the RAF for the last 4 years and therefore would be hard to change my POV.

[bad livin']

Hello lofty (all will become clear in time..)

Congrats on your entry to the Andrew. BRNC is a great wheeze provided that you pay attention to a couple of key points:

1. Be fit on arrival. It's 10 times more fun this way.
2. Ditch any bird you're currently with. She's going to ditch you otherwise.
3. Think hard before voicing displeasure, moans, etc - others around you will depend on you at times for an "up" and vice versa. You are about to make some of the best mates of your life.
4. Make sure from day one that EVERONE in your division and your cabin knows high and low water times, sunset and rise, who the officer of the day and duty chaplain etc are and put this on a sheet on the pinboard in your cabin. 4 thumbtacks at full insertion.
5. Work together - at times you will be threaders (ask a family member) and want to give up. It is worth it - all of it.
6. Ignore the inevitable snottiness of the seniors that will inspect you in new entry term - you'll be the same in 7 months whether you think so or not.
7. Get downtown with the boys n girls at the first opportunity and get the beers in. You've embarked on a great adventure. I count BRNC as one of the best laughs i've ever had.

ENJOY!

BL

[airborne_artist]

Concur with all BL has to say above. Your SOH will be tested, and there will be people around you who struggle to understand the old saying:

"If you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined" :ok:

I was lucky, as I'd been at boarding school for ten years beforehand, but many people who've lived at home, been looked after by mum, and pretty much lived their life as they wanted to, do struggle to get around the idea of being on the go for 18 hours 7/7, sharing a room with 3+ others, and being totally shagged for weeks.

[Bruiser Loose]

Airborne Artist, BRNC might have been a few years ago but I can't remember getting totally shagged for weeks! Maybe it's time to visit my old buddy the Bready Freak.

FAA2006, be careful what you say about Observers. Sensitive creatures us Observers. Good luck in your glorified taxi driving course!

[airborne_artist]

BL - you clearly attended BRNC after it had been softened up to make it the caring, sharing school of naval officer training that it might have become :E . I well remember asking to stand up in lectures so I didn't fall asleep.

[bad livin']

Hardship indeed. I suffered that many times when I went through Cranwell, but by the time I'd gone to the Andrew I had mastered eyelid management. The whole thing's recently been remilitarised to a degree as I understand it - a whole kind of New Cruelty was on offer from the green lid in charge of those matters just after i left. Fortunately I missed it....

[zorab64]

Jag3 - I suggest you beef up your history of the Fleet Air Arm and the number of Naval Pilots who flew so successfully both in WWI (before the RAF was even invented) and in WWII, including the Battle of Britain.

From a historical point of view don't forget that:
The Navy have History
The Army have Tradition
but
The RAF have "Habits"!

Go for the Senior Service & you won't regret it. :ok:

[Bruiser Loose]

AA - oh, you meant that type of shagged! I thought I was missing out on some 'how's your father!'

[SpikeyM]

FAA2006

Have you had your final offer letter through or just the BRNC joining pack?

I'm in exactly the same position as you with the exception that I didn't tell them about the medical history. I have had my joining pack to say that I start on 4th Sep, and duely returned all the forms but am still waiting on that final letter of confirmation. The letter accompanying the joining pack said that the offer of a place was subject to official and medical clearances, I know that the official side will be fine but what does the final medical clearance entail? Could it be simply receipt of the 'I have not contracted any illnesses since AIB' form, or is it the medical results/medical records check?

If anybody can put me out of my misery I'd greatly appreciate it, the waiting (and not knowing why I'm waiting) is killing me :{

[FAA2006]

I have had my letter of final confirmation from the MoD! I am unsure on what they do exactly but I think if nothing came up on your'e medical you should be ok. I hope that you'll be ok! Hope to see you at BRNC. Let me know how you get on with your'e final letter!

[DMackie]

Do the AIB check up on an applicants URNU history even if he/she doesn't use the CO as a reference?

A mate ;) of mine was politely asked to leave after a rather drunken moment between himself and a female UAS student at Trafalgar night. However, it was during the 4th year of my time on the URNU and wont be using the CO as a reference (obviously!). Will this raise any eyebrows? And do they automatically check up on your history if you used to be an URNU student?

Thanks for any help from a slightly embarrassed, ex URNU, pilot wannabe, who has just graduated!

[SpikeyM]

Well following my post on Friday I arrived home to find my confirmation letter on the door mat :D

Thanks for your reply FAA2006, I'll see you at Dartmouth.

[FAAjon]

Well done you two!!!!!!:cool::):D:ok:


Good luck, I wish to follow in your foot steps in the next 2 years or so!!!!!!!


FLY NAVY!!!