Is This a Problem?

[R4ANDY]

Hi guys

My name is Jamie i am currently going through my first stages of being Marine.

I have completed my Psy Test and Eyesight Test and i have a medical coming up with my interview on 7th of Jan.

There is two things i am a bit worried of. If you can give me some help that will be great.

When i was born 18 years ago i had a very small hole in my heart 8 years later it grew over. since then i have had no problems or anything like that but a friend of mine said that it may be a problem as they would not let anyone into the corps who HAD a heart murmer?

Also i had asthma but i have been cleared for 5 years so i head this isnt really a problem.

anyhelp will be great thanks very much

Jamie

[Sisyphus]

Jamie

You may gets lots of advice and opinions but the only thing that really matters is 7th January. It seems a long way off but it'll be here soon enough - so just enjoy Christmas and the New Year and [try to] switch off until your Medical.

Anyway, good luck with it.

[Madmick]

Don't worry about your heart problem Jamie, most of your training team won't even have a heart !!!!

[gunner75]

Just clarify with your gp, if, after all these years it actually is a problem or potential problem?. It will more than likely be on your medical records anyway so even if you keep stum about it initially at some point further down the line it will be spotted and may/may not have repercussions. if the doctor says it isnt anything to worry about then dont worry and why bring attention to yourself and possibly stall getting yourself in by mentioning it?

[R4ANDY]

well i havnt mentioned anything about my haert problem only asthma but i have spoken to my GP about the asthma and that is fine.

seems like i dont really have much to worry.

[Hostage_Negotiator]

I see the subject of bluffing your way has reared again! Please read the text below which is taken from a previous post!:




There have been several posts lately on threads for all the services where potential recruits have delared their intention to withhold information( either Medical or Criminal Conviction) when undergoing the application process for the service of their choice. For those wishing to gain entrance to HM Forces, before deciding to withold information or lie or listening to some expert advising you to do so please take note of the following!


61. Any person who, when before a recruiting officer for the purpose of being attested in pursuance of Part 1 of this Act, has knowingly made a false answer to any question contained in the attestation paper and put to him by or by the direction of the recruiting officer shall, if he has since become and remains subject to air-force law, be liable, on conviction by court martial, to the like imprisonment as on summary conviction of an offence against section 19 of this Act or to any less punishment provided by this Act.

( the above extract is taken from the Air Force Act 1955, however the regs apply to all members of HM Forces under their relavant Act.)


In other words if you lie or fail to disclose information in order to join up and the service find out you can go to prison for a period of upto but not more than 2 years.

Even if your application is unsuccessful and you do not become subject to military law you will have committed a civil offence under Sect.19 and can again face upto 2 years.

The moral of the story is, before you decide to bluff or lie your way in think of the possible repercussions and do you really want to start a 22 or more year career based on a lie?

To those genuine applicants who are soon to apply or are somewhere in the process I wish you all every success!

Regards
H_N

[R4ANDY]

I havn't lied about my heart problem. I have just never been asked about it. It was a friend of mine who mentioned it to me.

[timex]

So no-one (yet) has asked you about your health in any way? Seems strange.

Bear in mind that RM training is very strenuous and your ticker will be placed under extreme stress which could be aggravated by your asthma especially in the Summer.

[Hyperlithe]

Jamie, it probably feels like people are just getting on your case right now, but this is something which could be very important for you and your career, possibly even your life in the very worst case.
You know how hard the training is going to be, physically and emotionally, and you really don't need to be worrying about your health as well. I know you said you've had no problems with your heart since the hole closed up, but it's always best to err on the side of caution.
Talk to either your doctor or the AFCO, but you need to know that it isn't going to be a problem before you continue with your application.
Can't put a price on your health, or your peace of mind.

[wannabe_rock]

Got to agree with everyone buddy. I know it seems innane now, but you gotta speak with somebody, it is a while since I first filled the forms in now but isn't there a quick health questionnaire you need to fill in.

At the end of the day mate if you don't tell anyone because you haven't been asked directly "Have you ever had a hole in your heart?" and something happens you're up the creek.

I knw if you ask the question you may get an answer you don't want and I know what it feels like to have that happen, but that has got to be better than gettin 2/3s of the way round tarzan or 3/4s of the way into your 30 miler and die!

Ask the question, for your own sake.