Medical assessment after aptitude tests?

[WhiteCollarWarrior]

Good morning all,

I’m considering joining the RAF Reserves and I’m looking for confirmation of something that the RAF Careers helpline told me that didn’t sound right.

The advisor told me that candidates are medically assessed after both attending a Squadron open day and sitting an aptitude test. This worries me because when I was younger I went through this process for the Army, only to be rejected due to a pre-existing medical condition.

Does the fact that the medical come at the end of the process mean that, if you’re suitable in all other respects, you can get some leeway on the medical requirements?

 

[Downsizer]

Depending on what you get rejected for medically there is an appeals process.

 

[Witty_Banter]

I would imagine that the medical is conducted last because it involves an additional cost (they're farmed out to civvy doctors) - no point paying for you to have a medical if you can't pass the aptitude test or don't fancy the job after doing a station visit.

As for leeway, I doubt it - when I joined the regulars many years ago, my aptitude test scores meant that I could apply for any trade. But after the medical revealed I was colourblind, this list was dramatically shortened and my primary choice of trade was removed as an option.

Of course, that was back in the day when the RAF actually had manpower. Depending on your choice of trade and your pre-existing condition, you may well get leniency (unless it's a terminal disease, they're not likely to overlook that).

 

[ninjarabbi]

Rather than go through the bits and pieces prior to a medical assessment and being rejected; personally I’d advise you to write in to the Dept of Occupational Medicine at RAF Cranwell as an enquirer. Give them the full details of your medical condition with as much information as possible and they can give you a definitive answer as to whether or not you meet the entry standards.

 

[Downsizer]

Lets not forget here the OP is going for the reserves, so if he passes an AST, they'll wave pretty much any medical condition!

 

[ninjarabbi]

Lets not forget here the OP is going for the reserves, so if he passes an AST, they'll wave pretty much any medical condition!

Shhhhhhhhhh! Don’t tell everyone!

 

[WhiteCollarWarrior]

Depending on what you get rejected for medically there is an appeals process.

Thanks Downsizer, I just don't fancy getting turned down again..

 

[WhiteCollarWarrior]

I would imagine that the medical is conducted last because it involves an additional cost (they're farmed out to civvy doctors) - no point paying for you to have a medical if you can't pass the aptitude test or don't fancy the job after doing a station visit.

As for leeway, I doubt it - when I joined the regulars many years ago, my aptitude test scores meant that I could apply for any trade. But after the medical revealed I was colourblind, this list was dramatically shortened and my primary choice of trade was removed as an option.

Of course, that was back in the day when the RAF actually had manpower. Depending on your choice of trade and your pre-existing condition, you may well get leniency (unless it's a terminal disease, they're not likely to overlook that).

Here's hoping, Witty!