What would you do?
 

Afternoon all,

I've been a lurker for a while now, but I need some personal advice.

I've always wanted to be a Pilot especially within the military, however from a young age I always thought I wasn't good enough.

About 5-6 years ago, a pair of low flying Tornado F3s flew past my window, and I thought to myself, 'well, why not?' and started my quest of wanting to be in the military.

My first hurdle was there was suspicion I had migraines, which turned out to be not placed on my Medical History as there was doubt in the diagnosis, and was told "You don't suffer from them"

Next, my eye sight degraded, yet I could still pursue a career within the AAC/FAA.

I applied to the RN FAA as Pilot but at this time SDSR was about to come out, and the advice I was given was go to University as no one knows what will happen and what recruitment will be like.

I did exactly that, went to Uni and did a degree in Business Studies focusing on leadership and management. As I was always told and quick to remember; You're an Officer first, Pilot second.

Whilst at University, I joined the University Royal Naval Unit ( Navy Version of the UAS), and I did everything I could to gain as experience as possible. From going on numerous Opt. Joint Warrior, getting my Dunker Certificate, doing flying grading and getting a report, visiting numerous air stations such as RAF Valley, been to sea with the Americans, Dutch, Germans and getting the same Leadership and Management qualification as an Officer straight out of BRNC gets.

Whilst at Uni, I found out my eyesight had degraded again, then the age limit for Pilot was lowered.
Thus meaning, if i wanted laser eye surgery, I couldn't as I didn't have enough time after the year wait.
This drags on, and after a lot of convincing myself I go for another eye test and my eyes have improved, by double!

But then I developed a nasal problem, where my nose makes too much mucus.. After getting that sorted, I applied. Only to find out the standards for the maths grade at school I had was no longer accepted. So spent ages trying to track down the standard of maths I had done at University and eventually got a waiver.

After 4 weeks of practicing for the RT test, I had mine today to be told I failed the reasoning section. I've been told, I can come back in 6 months time ( If I start a college course or further education ) thus giving me maybe around 7 months for entry - which I suspect might not be long enough.

My question is, should I bother with military aviation anymore. Face the fact that fate doesn't want me to join as I'll either be too old to join, or have a medical problem the docs at Cranwell won't like. I know I'm not the first person to have a problem like this, nor will I be the last. Anyone been through a situation like this?


Apologies for the long winded question!

Regards,
Ali :rolleyes:

It's also a question no-one can answer for you; no-one here can tell you whether or not you should bother trying again!

I don't know what the RT test is, is that now part of selection? Unless you've actually failed a part of selection then it's really up to you. If I had failed a part of selection, I would have followed the advice given to me when I failed; so if they said "try again in 6 months" I'd try again in 6 months.

You don't have to put the rest of your life on hold. There's no reason why you can't get a job (if you don't already have one) and start putting some effort into another career while continuing an application on the sidelines.

Whether or not you can be bothered because you think "fate" doesn't want you to join is a question for you though, not anyone here. :ok:

try! and why not check out "ORTHOKEARATOLOGY" (might be spelled: ORTHOKERATOLOGY)

for the eye thing

Ali, to be straight, there are three issues here: what is your age, can you meet the medical standards and do YOU want to keep trying? No one here can possibly answer any of those for you.

I really do wish you luck.

My advice would be to cover every career option you can for as long as possible.
Don't forget that the eyesight requirements for a civil pilot are less demanding than those for a military pilot (and winchman).

Try again and if that doesn't work then go off and do something else because you will know you had a go and then a second go.

Better doing this than spending next 20 years wondering IF ONLY I had done it a second time would I have passed.

If fail second time then get on with your life.

You can only try again, if you are rejected I wouldn't class it as a failure. If you don't try you may always regret not doing so. Once you have the answer then you can move forwards with your life.

Keep trying til all avenues are exhausted, have no regrets. I'd say that applies to all aspects of life, especially where women are concerned.

Sounds like my issue.. Except I went UAS. Never bothered now.