RAF medical query

Hello, I have applied to join the RAF as a WSOp i've passed the written tests and i have my interview and medical coming up in a couple of weeks. However, i had eczema as a child and i am worried that this may affect my chances of being accepted. i have been free from eczema for the past 10 years but it will be on my medical records that i had it when i was a child. If they ask me about this in the interview should i tell them about it or would it be irrelevant seeings as i have been free from it for so long? any advice on this subject or anything else regarding the application process would be well recieved.
Thanks,
Phoenix.

Reply 1

BlackHawk

If you are asked about it then be honest. Say that you had it as a child but have be symptom free for over 10 years now. Let them decide if it is relevant or not. They will have a copy of all of your medical records from your doctor so if anyone did go down the path of not telling the truth then it could be found out. No one here can tell you how it will affect your chances as we aren't on the RAF Medical Board, but good luck anyway.

Just a curious note, there suddenly seem to be a lot of WSOp applicants!

Reply 2

Phoenix_86

I decided on WSOp (specifically crewman is what i'd prefer) because it seems the job that i'd be most suited to, and when i took the written tests it was a "priority" area. I only just got enough marks in the tests to be eligible for it though :confused:

Has anyone here actually been through the basic recruit training?

Reply 3

BlackHawk

Yeah, one person has. I think there are 2 more applicants that post on here. I can't remember all their usernames offhand but I'm sure if you have a look around in the WSOp threads you'll find them.

Reply 4

Lady Venom

Eczema isn't contagious and therefore shouldn't be a problem; especially if you have been clear for 10+ years.
I have a couple of friends who have been through basic. Can get info etc. if you want.

Reply 5

BlackHawk

InaSpin

Eczema isn't contagious and therefore shouldn't be a problem; especially if you have been clear for 10+ years.
I have a couple of friends who have been through basic. Can get info etc. if you want.

Actually, the most common form of eczema is known as atopic eczema, and it is linked with asthma and hayfever. As I said above, it up to a medical board to decide. There have been plently of people on these threads who had hayfever or some other illness when they were young and have failed medicals even after being symptom free. It's not up to us to say what may or may not be a problem for a candidate.

Reply 6

Phoenix_86

InaSpin

Eczema isn't contagious and therefore shouldn't be a problem; especially if you have been clear for 10+ years.
I have a couple of friends who have been through basic. Can get info etc. if you want.

Yeah, that would be great :smile:

, i've got a few friends in the army and they said that basic was really tough so i was just interested in whether or not the RAF will be as bad as the Army.

Reply 7

BlackHawk

WSOp isn't anything like basic Army training. Did you get the blue handout that is available at the AFCO? Its 4 pages. Also try http://www.airmenaircrew.freeserve.co.uk/home/frameset.htm which is run by serving WSOps. Probably the best information on the net for that branch. Take it with a pinch of salt, its a old site but everything can be double checked at an AFCO.