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Hi guys, first post.

As the title suggests, this is un-bloody-real!

I smash through the tests getting an 87 on my B.A.R.B. and flying through the Num+Lit tests but somehow I've failed my medical!!

Because I have Congenital Nystagmus which is a condition which makes my eyes move (not my vision or head FYI) I am 'permenantly unsuitable' for joining. Why? My vision is corrected by glasses to a standard of around 19/20 and while my eyes DO move I see, presumably, as a normal person does. Straight ahead, dead centre straight. Is there no way I can appeal this decision and at least be seen by an Army medic for approval? This seems to me to be pure and simple stereotyping of a condition which does not effect my life other then having to wear glasses OR contacts!

For more info on CN then please google it.

It also says on my letter that says other condition would have effected the decision:

1: Wheeze till age four. Ok fine I guess if I had it now but 17 years ago?! WTF?!

2. Heart murmur. Ok, news to me but confirmed by mum and has not stopped me doing anything. I work out as normal and have no restrictions on my lifestyle (other then self imposed ) and no medication EVER so again, WTF?!

and 3: Agoraphobia. Fine. A mental condition. I know most people and companies have a stigma about these but its simple. If someone was absurdly afraid of something and got over it as in can eat or touch it (or whatever applies) then they have recovered with pretty much no chance of relapse then why would it matter? My fear was of wide open spaces and social interactions. No more. I've been medically cleared for 2-3 years and it no longer has a bearing on my life at all.

For more info on Agoraphobia then please google it.

My question is this (in case you missed it in my rant): Can I appeal in any way, shape or form and/or be tested by a Army medic/specialist?

As you may be able to tell I am pretty pissed off at this point as I am trying to make something of myself and this was my last chance to do so and it seems that once again my eyes are pulling me down!!!

Thanks and tons of respect to you guys serving. Peace.

You can always appeal decisions, your recruiter would have to do the paper work for you so go and have a word with him and see if he will back you. However, one thing to keep in mind is just because you appeal doesn't mean the decision will be any different.

It's a very long process though and to be honest with the Army's recruitment the way it is they're able to turn people away for not meeting medical standards as they have plenty of people wanting to join up with nearly all jobs being heavily oversubscribed now.

Also one last point about your agoraphobia, even though you say you've been clear of this for a few years, conditions like this can be brought on by stress so while you may have got over it in everyday life, if you were to be stuck out in Afghanistan etc... being shot at and mortared every day you maybe likely under that kind of stress to have a relapse.

It's a tough break but unfortunately I think it's one you're going to have to live with as I doubt any appeal you make will be successful given what you've said so far.

These things happen mate, I know what it's like believe me, but that's life for you just when you're thinking everything is going to work out it takes a big crap on you!

Keep your chin up mate.

I can only agree with bored_stupid.
You may appeal but the chances of success are limited.
What with oversubscrition and MoD cutbacks on manning and hardware(thanks Mr.Gordon"I believe our troops have the best equipment"Brown)The afco's are being a little picky.
My advise would be to do the same as I did,change countries,become a US citizen and join the USMC.The beastings are the same but Parris Island has a much more clement climate provided you can live with about two billion 'skiters in your scratcher
Chin up bud,something good will show up.

When I applied I too was found to have a heart murmer during my medical. This meant I had to wait 6 months for an appointment in Darlington to have a scan. Lucky for me at the time the murmer was very slight and I passed fit. This in turn set the process on a go slow and it was another 5 months before I was attested.

This was after I was defered for 3 months for being under weight.

Now consider the fact that this was '92-'93 and recruitment wasn't as strong as today. Now also take into account your 2 other medical issues.

Talk to your recruiter and try the appeal there's no harm in doing so, but to be blunt I would suggest taking it on the chin and trying something new.

The Army needs fit young men, now I am not doubting your courage or willingness to serve but over the years the Army has found that after a while small medical conditions can become much larger ones when some one is put under great physical and mental stress

Wholley wrote:I can only agree with bored_stupid.
You may appeal but the chances of success are limited.
What with oversubscrition and MoD cutbacks on manning and hardware(thanks Mr.Gordon"I believe our troops have the best equipment"Brown)The afco's are being a little picky.
My advise would be to do the same as I did,change countries,become a US citizen and join the USMC.The beastings are the same but Parris Island has a much more clement climate provided you can live with about two billion 'skiters in your scratcher
Chin up bud,something good will show up.

Wholley how did you become a US citizen and how long did the process take

Citizenship for the US is hard to get, there are three ways to do it

1. Marry an American Citizen???(Still no garauntee of a Green card)

2. Get a company to sponsor you to get a Green card (The USMC wont sponsor you)

3. Have a family relation who is living out there sponsor you (That takes between 7-10 years)

You have too many medical conditions for an appeal.

This has gone to PM between Billboard and myself but I will correct one or two points.
Marrying a native born American does guarantee a green card.
The USMC didn't sponsor anyone,you just joined although this has changed since Vietnam.
To get hired by an American company you will need skills that a comparable American does not possess(A little like Australia where there are also age limits)Which makes it almost impossible to go that route.
Foreign companies often send employees to the United States and as long as they are not paid by an American corporation they may reside in the US for up to two years when a visa change or leaving the country for(I think)Six months will be required.
The only way around that is if you are an exchange student with ties to both a foreign and US university,for instance Nottingham university has a deal with the state university of Utah where post graduates can complete their PHD.
A C-1 visa will allow you to work in the US for six months but that mostly applies to full time students working somewhere like a summer camp.
The last resort is the green card lottery but you will have to talk to the embassy in Grosvenor Square about that as the British are not high on the list of preferred immigrants although for some reason the Irish are.
Hope this helps(NO I'm not going to sponsor you )

PS.Green cards are actually pink

Marrying an American Citizen DOES NOT Garauntee a Green card.
I know Im married to one????

I tried to apply for the USMC five years agoSIMPLES!!

Five years ago does not equate to 30 years ago when the rules were a little different.If'as you say you are married to a US citizen why are you still living in England?
Glutton for punishment or what.
If you had paid attention to my last,I remarked upon the rule changes after Vietnam.
Don't tell me what my country can do with immigrants,if you failed your application for a Pink Card maybe your wife does'nt love you as much as you figured

HA!!

I handed in my appeal on Tuesday and got a letter today giving me the all clear!!

Interview is on 15th Dec but one slight niggle still exists:

I know for a fact I can't run the 1.5 in time as I was expecting at least 1 months more worth of training whilst waiting for the reply; can I ask the recruiters for some time to train between after the interview and going to the testing centre?

Thanks!

MSI64 wrote:Marrying an American Citizen DOES NOT Garauntee a Green card.
I know Im married to one????

I tried to apply for the USMC five years agoSIMPLES!!

Five years ago does not equate to 30 years ago when the rules were a little different.If'as you say you are married to a US citizen why are you still living in England?
Glutton for punishment or what.
If you had paid attention to my last,I remarked upon the rule changes after Vietnam.
Don't tell me what my country can do with immigrants,if you failed your application for a Pink Card maybe your wife does'nt love you as much as you figured

the Green/pink card lottery site tells you as soon as you put in your from the UK that your not entitled to enter!!!

I still live in England because Im still in the Army, not a glutton for punishment at all as soon as Im done im out of here.

And finally how much my wife loves me is in direct proportion to how much cash I pay here!!!!!

As its your country then you definatly confirm my personal view of most Americans :wink

GiMpY91 wrote:HA!!

I handed in my appeal on Tuesday and got a letter today giving me the all clear!!

Interview is on 15th Dec but one slight niggle still exists:

I know for a fact I can't run the 1.5 in time as I was expecting at least 1 months more worth of training whilst waiting for the reply; can I ask the recruiters for some time to train between after the interview and going to the testing centre?

Thanks!

I wouldn't recommend it!

Best bet is to get training!

Well I'll think I'll have to risk it. I've just come back from my 1.5 and I got a dismal 16:01. There is no way I can go from that to around 12 mins in 1 month is there?

Does anyone have any training tips? I was thinking of running up this hill repeatedly for about 15 mins but apart from that and running all the time I can think of nothing.

google gerschler fartlek