TMU potentially PMU. Trying for MEO

[Chookter]

Hello all,

I am trying to join the Royal Navy as a MEO having recently finished my engineering degree. I have always wanted to serve the country. For me, it's a great opportunity to get a real head start in life, take on responsibility early on and beats most careers out there.

I am writing this thread as I have a few question regarding Capitas Medical appointment and the likelihood of me getting through it, and wondering if there is anyone that might be able to help. I figured starting a thread would also be of assistance to others that are thinking of joining the Navy with similar health histories.

Basically I had a bout of gastritis starting August 2016. I went to GP on a number of appointments with stomach pain and was messed around until I eventually went to A&E out of desperation. I left A&E after a couple of hours and they ruled out anything serious. The GPs called the next day with a diagnosis of gastritis. Why it took the NHS a month with five appointments plus an A&E visit to come to that conclusion I still do not know.

Moreover, I was prescribed PPIs and my symptoms improved drastically. I had an endoscopy which discovered mild irritation of the stomach lining in January 2017. I stayed on PPIs for an extended period of 9 months to make sure I was fully cured until I stopped in May 2017 and have been symptom and medication free ever since, about two years now.

Now I understand this is may be considered chronic gastritis due to the lengthy treatment. The condition was partly my own fault for bad eating habits, getting poor sleep and running on coffee for years on end. I denied there was anything wrong with me until it got severe and I was forced to do something about it.

Additionally, I asked for an ultrasound in 2018 to make sure I was 100% and it turned out they found a gallbladder polyp. This is small, does not cause any issues and is unrelated to the gastritis I had. The GP said they are common and nothing to worry about. How would this be viewed considering it does not present any health problems?

Anyway, I understand I may need to prove that me once having gastritis is no longer an issue to Capita via my medical records. I believe PMU is likely without this. I am under the impression that chronic gastritis is Bar to Entry and I don't want to waste the Navy's nor my time with a long, drawn out appeal.

I am TMU at the moment as Capita did not receive my records from my medical practice. I am thinking I should visit the GPs, and before getting them to send my records away, get them to write in the notes it has fully remitted. Would this be a good idea first off? I have been symptom free for two years - no pain or discomfort, my training is unaffected, and I have zero dietary restrictions. Hell, I'm even on five coffees a day once again.

I know its the Med. Officer's decision in the end but I just want to maximize my chances first time and get it sorted sooner than later. Sorry for the long post, just trying to provide a good understanding of my situation. Any help on this matter would be most appreciated!

Cheers,

Chookter

 

[dapperdunn]

I am trying to join the Royal Navy as a MEO

I guess you might as well start at the top!

 

[Chookter]

It seems a good choice. You see, I like engineering, but don't like getting my hands dirty!!

 

[Sumo]

It seems a good choice. You see, I like engineering, but don't like getting my hands dirty!!

Officer material then

 

[Chookter]

So how eager is the Navy for new MEO surface/submariners at the moment?

Will they let me have a bit of leeway having had gastritis 2 years ago or might they say PMU until 4 years since the last prescription.

 

[janner]

You need to speak to the AFCO people, there is no one on the site can answer the question. It's rare that there is leeway given against the guidelines I understand. Good luck.

 

[Chookter]

Okay I assumed its a difficult one to answer. I will do that instead - thank you!

 

[Sumo]

Okay I assumed its a difficult one to answer. I will do that instead - thank you!

Many on here could give you a answer, but as we are no longer in the loop or qualified recruiters, we may be talking bollocks, some would say that's what I always talk

 

[Chookter]

Okay, well I'll have to sort it out on my return to the UK.

I heard that four years was the usual wait period but you're right. At the end of the day, I'm not sure if even AFCO will help this matter until Capita look at it themselves. The med. officer will have the final say. They might look at my case and see it's remitted since 2017 and let me get on with things, or say woah that is too severe and I'll get PMU'd - in which case I'll be beating myself up for not looking after my poor stomach! At least until I get an appeal further down the road.

In any case, do you think it would be wise to visit the GPs again before sending off the medical information and make sure its written down as a remitted diagnosis since 2017?

Unofficial advice can still be sound advice. Or rather, one man's bollocks may be the treasure trove of another.

 

[janner]

You should be aware that Sumo has several awards for talking Bollocks

 

[Chookter]

If by awards you mean the medals under your usernames, then I can only assume you are all equal fans of bollocks!

AFCO it is