The RAF and asthma - WHY?!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: pluto
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There's asthma which might cause you to drop down dead, and there's asthma which might just mean you've been short of breath at times during childhood as a response to some specific trigger. To consider the two extremes as being a similar condition is a bit harsh.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Co. Durham
Age: 31
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, surprised by all the responses. Anyone following my post on the medical forum (should they give a toss or not), I have indeed never had asthma and the word is entirely absent from my medical records, but have been prescribed inhalers, (which I have never used to any effect) according to my records, so although it's half-and-half really as to whether I can get away it after all the research I've done. Only time will tell, so there's no room for speculation, but I'm a hardy lad, so I'll keep my chin up and brace myself for the disappointing news.
Alot of good advice and many good points posted here for both sides, although I did laugh at the 'troll' accusation simply because I have expressed opinion. If I knew everything, I wouldn't embellish the start of my sentences with 'I think' or 'In my opinion'. Either I'd be all-knowing and true (not the case), or just some bloody bigot.
I, myself, stand by my original opinion, though it seems genuine asthmatics or others with so much as a slight wheeze are looked at in distaste by too many people. Would you go into a home for the blind and mock them because the way their genes are coded are make them 'pathetic' human beings? Yeah, alright, two pretty different extremes, lol, but both are merely down to the way genes happen to exist. And OK, sometimes people joke about it, which is fine, but others really are serious and seem to have some sort of superiority complex...
Alot of good advice and many good points posted here for both sides, although I did laugh at the 'troll' accusation simply because I have expressed opinion. If I knew everything, I wouldn't embellish the start of my sentences with 'I think' or 'In my opinion'. Either I'd be all-knowing and true (not the case), or just some bloody bigot.
I, myself, stand by my original opinion, though it seems genuine asthmatics or others with so much as a slight wheeze are looked at in distaste by too many people. Would you go into a home for the blind and mock them because the way their genes are coded are make them 'pathetic' human beings? Yeah, alright, two pretty different extremes, lol, but both are merely down to the way genes happen to exist. And OK, sometimes people joke about it, which is fine, but others really are serious and seem to have some sort of superiority complex...
Whilst applying for entry to the PMRAFNS, I had a medical at the Central Medical Estblishment in London. If you could get up the stairs you were halfway to being declared fit. Reception on the second floor, if I remember correctly. By accident I had an aircrew eye test, and later asked the Wing Commander MO what the rsult was, surprisingly he told me I had passed, but that I would never be acceoted for aircrew as my vision would deteriorate during the period of training to below minimum standards. Surprise surprise, it did.
Standards are there for a reason, no good having an asthma attack when flying, working on a flight line or when out with a Regiment patrol, even sat in a mission critical desk post.
Regards.
Air pig.
Standards are there for a reason, no good having an asthma attack when flying, working on a flight line or when out with a Regiment patrol, even sat in a mission critical desk post.
Regards.
Air pig.
though it seems genuine asthmatics or others with so much as a slight wheeze are looked at in distaste by too many people.
You analogy that follows the quoted passage is poor, I think you'd find blind people applying to be Pilots in the RAF would be given equally short shrift by the recruitors.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: bristol
Age: 56
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quote:
Brainstormer is right...there is no room for the ill, lame or unfit here.
Absolutely....
Just imagine, you might end up with a half blind admiral with only one arm. Or a fighter pilot with no legs.
To be honest, in these current times where there are plenty of very brave lads with no legs, due to being in action, I feel you could have come up with a better joke than that!
Not only that, but the example does not hold water, as neither of the two examples were really likely to be exposed to chemical or nerve agents in a combat situation, which was the point I was referring to.
This may be a blow to Jonesyboy, but the services are not like any other job, and so need to select different folks. Sometimes for reasons that are clear to those serving but a mystery to those wishing to join.
Brainstormer is right...there is no room for the ill, lame or unfit here.
Absolutely....
Just imagine, you might end up with a half blind admiral with only one arm. Or a fighter pilot with no legs.
To be honest, in these current times where there are plenty of very brave lads with no legs, due to being in action, I feel you could have come up with a better joke than that!
Not only that, but the example does not hold water, as neither of the two examples were really likely to be exposed to chemical or nerve agents in a combat situation, which was the point I was referring to.
This may be a blow to Jonesyboy, but the services are not like any other job, and so need to select different folks. Sometimes for reasons that are clear to those serving but a mystery to those wishing to join.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Co. Durham
Age: 31
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i thought that asthma was acceptable for aircrew if it was before the age of 4 years, and did not persist past that age, has this changed?
There is no way to tell whether you will be considered or not for air roles if you have ever had just about any respiratory disorder. Some will get in, but it seems most will not.
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: sky
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For ground roles, you need to have been symptom free and therefore without treatment for four years or more. For roles in the air however it is imperative that you have no history of asthma. However, I recently read about the odd case (non too common either) where those with a childhood history of asthma have got in as aircrew. On the other hand, many cases are given no consideration whatsoever and are rejected as quick as possible.
There is no way to tell whether you will be considered or not for air roles if you have ever had just about any respiratory disorder. Some will get in, but it seems most will not.
There is no way to tell whether you will be considered or not for air roles if you have ever had just about any respiratory disorder. Some will get in, but it seems most will not.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Co. Durham
Age: 31
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This may be a blow to Jonesyboy, but the services are not like any other job, and so need to select different folks. Sometimes for reasons that are clear to those serving but a mystery to those wishing to join.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: in my combat underpants
Age: 53
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jonesy - you said:
Not quite true:
which is taken from the download from the RAF site
http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/rafcms...A28D2D8DAE.pdf
For ground roles, you need to have been symptom free and therefore without treatment for four years or more.
If you suffer from asthma or have done in the past, you cannot be considered for flying branches of the RAF. For ground branches and trades, people with a past history of asthma, wheezing or inhaler use may be eligible for service following review by medical staff. If you have current asthma symptoms or a current prescription or you use an inhaler for asthma or wheeze (regardless of cause), you are not eligible to apply for service.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/rafcms...A28D2D8DAE.pdf
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Midlands
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jonesyboy92
If you want to pm me, i will forward your email address to someone who flew the Harrier and is now on exchange flying singleseat. He had childhood asthma and it was on his med docs before joining up - he may be able to give you some good advice as to how he got through the system.
As others have said, it is a much tougher world than it was 10 years ago, and the military can afford to be fussy... but at least you are giving it a go - good for you.
If you want to pm me, i will forward your email address to someone who flew the Harrier and is now on exchange flying singleseat. He had childhood asthma and it was on his med docs before joining up - he may be able to give you some good advice as to how he got through the system.
As others have said, it is a much tougher world than it was 10 years ago, and the military can afford to be fussy... but at least you are giving it a go - good for you.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Co. Durham
Age: 31
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got asthma. Can I join the RAF?
- Certain medical conditions rule out RAF service. Applications will be rejected if you suffer or have suffered from asthma in the last four years. However, if you have been diagnosed previously as suffering from asthma but have remained symptom-free for a continuous four-year period, you may be considered for RAF ground service but not aircrew.
.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: France 46
Age: 77
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jonesyboy
I am sorry to have to disagree with you but I am afraid that it is not your desire to serve as a Pilot in the RAF that is pre-eminent in this debate - rather it is the requirement for the RAF to recruit only those of the highest calibre in respect of both physical and educational attributes to fulfil the roles of the RAF of today.
When I joined the RAF in 1965 it was an Air Force which had over 300 Jet Provost Basic Trainers equipping No's 1,2,3,6 & 7 Flying Training Schools as well as Central Flying School , the College of Air Warfare and RAF College Cranwell.
Those days are gone and the RAF is a much leaner Force than at any time since the 1920's. Many hundreds of applicants wish to apply for Pilot training in the RAF each year and are disappointed because there are only a limited number of posts available.
Inevitably the decisions as to which applicants should be accepted are based on the requirements of the RAF and not the aspirations of the applicants. In the current Financial climate only those applicants who have no hint whatsoever of any potential Medical or other problems will be accepted for initial training and they will be closely monitored (and if necessary rejected) should they fail to measure up to the required standard.
It is inevitable that these standards will become even more stringent over the next few years as we now have a generation of Politicians who have no experience of warfare and will allocate the bare minimum of funding to HM's Armed Forces until such time as panic measures are required to fend off disaster.
Despite the above assessment, keep trying - and I wish you the best of luck.
I am sorry to have to disagree with you but I am afraid that it is not your desire to serve as a Pilot in the RAF that is pre-eminent in this debate - rather it is the requirement for the RAF to recruit only those of the highest calibre in respect of both physical and educational attributes to fulfil the roles of the RAF of today.
When I joined the RAF in 1965 it was an Air Force which had over 300 Jet Provost Basic Trainers equipping No's 1,2,3,6 & 7 Flying Training Schools as well as Central Flying School , the College of Air Warfare and RAF College Cranwell.
Those days are gone and the RAF is a much leaner Force than at any time since the 1920's. Many hundreds of applicants wish to apply for Pilot training in the RAF each year and are disappointed because there are only a limited number of posts available.
Inevitably the decisions as to which applicants should be accepted are based on the requirements of the RAF and not the aspirations of the applicants. In the current Financial climate only those applicants who have no hint whatsoever of any potential Medical or other problems will be accepted for initial training and they will be closely monitored (and if necessary rejected) should they fail to measure up to the required standard.
It is inevitable that these standards will become even more stringent over the next few years as we now have a generation of Politicians who have no experience of warfare and will allocate the bare minimum of funding to HM's Armed Forces until such time as panic measures are required to fend off disaster.
Despite the above assessment, keep trying - and I wish you the best of luck.
Last edited by cazatou; 4th Nov 2010 at 15:03.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Co. Durham
Age: 31
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If there is one thing I appreciate in my short time on PPRUNE, it is the sincerity of it's users. I am glad I have been dealt the harsh truth, in a way, although I wish it could be easier, that's life and it's pretty damn tough. There is a reason Utopia doesn't exist, and that's because it isn't humanly possibly.
However, despite all your kindly shared comments, none can discount the fact that there is a chance of success, as minescule as it may be, not just for myself, but others in a similar position to myself. It seems it has been done before by others, and I indefinately think it is worth going for - that small chance is a chance not to be ignored.
However, despite all your kindly shared comments, none can discount the fact that there is a chance of success, as minescule as it may be, not just for myself, but others in a similar position to myself. It seems it has been done before by others, and I indefinately think it is worth going for - that small chance is a chance not to be ignored.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went through OASC this year, applied for Pilot and WSOp, passed everything for both, then got told my legs were 14mm too long for pilot; bugger. Oh well, take it on the chin, its not meant to be - I was absolutely chuffed as chips to get WSOp, and given the option between a great career in the back of a a/c doing a job I'll love, or coming down on a chute with no legs because your knees lost a fight with the instrument panel, I know which I'd choose.
Don't be bitter about it mate, the rules are there for your safety and everyone elses. My reviewing board officer said that they aren't out to shatter hopes and dreams, they are there to filter out those with the right stuff and those without, and they would be irresponsible to pass people through who might later put themselves, their colleagues or those on the ground in danger - wise words.
Don't be bitter about it mate, the rules are there for your safety and everyone elses. My reviewing board officer said that they aren't out to shatter hopes and dreams, they are there to filter out those with the right stuff and those without, and they would be irresponsible to pass people through who might later put themselves, their colleagues or those on the ground in danger - wise words.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: bristol
Age: 56
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jonesyboy.
While I agree with:
Don't be bitter about it mate, the rules are there for your safety and everyone elses. My reviewing board officer said that they aren't out to shatter hopes and dreams, they are there to filter out those with the right stuff and those without, and they would be irresponsible to pass people through who might later put themselves, their colleagues or those on the ground in danger - wise words.
And while standards have to be adhered too, I will also commend you on your choice of wanted career, and will say that IMHO you should only carry on trying only if: YOU know deep inside your heart that YOU will NEVER let YOUR MATES down because of any condition you have. If you are sure of this, then give everything you have into your efforts!
While I agree with:
Don't be bitter about it mate, the rules are there for your safety and everyone elses. My reviewing board officer said that they aren't out to shatter hopes and dreams, they are there to filter out those with the right stuff and those without, and they would be irresponsible to pass people through who might later put themselves, their colleagues or those on the ground in danger - wise words.
And while standards have to be adhered too, I will also commend you on your choice of wanted career, and will say that IMHO you should only carry on trying only if: YOU know deep inside your heart that YOU will NEVER let YOUR MATES down because of any condition you have. If you are sure of this, then give everything you have into your efforts!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South of England
Age: 74
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Jonseyboy
Congratulations on your ability to write such clear and straightforward English with only one spelling mistake. It is a rare skill at your age and you should be proud of yourself.
I too was frustrated in my desire to join the RAF as a pilot because it turned out that I was colour blind (I had always been aware that everyone I knew seemed to have problems with colours, but it had never ocurred to me that the problem lay in my own retinas).
However, I went on to join the RAF anyway; trained as an engineering officer and had a wonderful time and a long career.
My point is that, if your medical record rules you out of a flying career, there are other options for which you may be acceptable and they can be very rewarding.
Your ability to write good English may well, for instance, suggest a career in the Administration Branch would suit you.
Rgds SOS
I too was frustrated in my desire to join the RAF as a pilot because it turned out that I was colour blind (I had always been aware that everyone I knew seemed to have problems with colours, but it had never ocurred to me that the problem lay in my own retinas).
However, I went on to join the RAF anyway; trained as an engineering officer and had a wonderful time and a long career.
My point is that, if your medical record rules you out of a flying career, there are other options for which you may be acceptable and they can be very rewarding.
Your ability to write good English may well, for instance, suggest a career in the Administration Branch would suit you.
Rgds SOS
Last edited by SOSL; 5th Nov 2010 at 23:47. Reason: Spotted a spelling mistake
When I joined the RAF in 1965 it was an Air Force which had over 300 Jet Provost Basic Trainers equipping No's 1,2,3,6 & 7 Flying Training Schools as well as Central Flying School , the College of Air Warfare and RAF College Cranwell.
With the atrophied state of the RAF today, it is pretty obvious that selectors can afford to be very picky.
Anway, Jonesyboy92, if you do end up going down the ATPL route, you'll probably find that some of your contemporaries who are successful at OASC will ultimately become your co-pilots!
Meanwhile, keep an eye on Flying Scholarships 2010 - GAPAN for details of the Guild's PPL scholarships for 2011 when they appear in a few weeks time.