Joining the RAF Questions

[Welshy_Boy2k4]

Hey peepz!

I'm currently doing my GCSEs and am aiming for above C's in all my subjects (11 I think). I plan to stay on to do my A Levels in the next 2 years. In my spare time I go to Air Cadets where I've been promoted to Corporal and have done quite a lot in there already.

I've reached the stage in my life where I'm thinking of my future a lot! Obviously the RAF is my main choice otherwise I wouldn't be posting on this board. I wish to join the Intelligence section and Imagery if possible. I've spoken to an RAF careers advisor and he told me the competition was tough for it but that doesn't bother me.

I've had asthma since I was very young. It's not in any way severe and I've never had an asthma attack in my life. I take inhalers but I find if I stop taking them I'm fine anyway. I'm due for a checkup at the doctors soon about my asthma. It may be possible to ask him if I can get off the inhalers but I need some more information about joining the RAF like this.

Also, does anyone know whether eyesight is a problem for imagery? I wouldn't of thought so but just in case!

[combat-engineer]

Just Read this on the armys website, so I guess It would be the same for the RAF. Good luck bud!

Q. Can I join if I suffer from asthma?

A. You must have been symptom and treatment-free for a minimum of four years.

[tintin]

i was in the exact same position as you four years ago.

I was diagnosed with asthma when i was four and took inhalers up untill i was 17 (i'm now 22). My asthma was never bad and i found i could go without inhalers altogether. Unfortunately after passing my apptitude tests and interview (applying for intel analyst), i failed the medical due to the fact that i wasnt clear for the four years required on my medical record. For years later and asthma free i have re-sat my apptitude tests successfully and have a specialist interview on the 24th of may. I would strongly suggest that you go down to your local doctor and tell them you do not require an inhaler anymore. Lucky if you plan to take A-levels, thats two years of waiting over already.

Hope that helps.

oly

[Switchblade]

Welshy Boy, I'm a Flt Sgt form 1225 (St. Austell & District) Sqn here in Cornwall. I'm guessing I'm a few years older than you (I'm 19) cause I've passed my A Levels, but I'm plannig on joining late 2004/early 2005. I know that when it comes to medical issues, it depends on how long you've had the condition as well as what profession it is you want to go in for.

For your situation, I would say the same a TJD; see a speciallist! They can tell you whether or not you accually have a condition taht will jepadise your RAF career!

[Biggles1211]

TJD is correct.

The RAF go by whether you've been PRESCRIBED medication for a condition.

It is not uncommon for doctors to prescribe inhalors at the slightest sign of any sort of chest problem. Many people never even use them.

If you think this may be your case, it is DEFINATELY worth going to see your doctor and talking through the implications of the prescription. If your doctor agrees that you've never had asthma, but were prescribed an inhalor as a contingency, then it may be possible for him to take it off your record.

Alternatively, request a appointment with a specialist and get him to determine whether you actually had asthma. If he amends you record to state that it wasn't actually asthma then, despite the prescription of an inhalor, it shouldn't be a factor on joining the RAF.

ANY prescription for asthma will mean you CANNOT apply for an aircrew job (Pilot, WSO, WSOp).

ANY prescription for asthma within the last 4 years will mean you CANNOT join the RAF (although you can wait for the 4 years to elapse and then join, but ground branches only).