The RAF

[Fiction]

So i was looking at illnesses etc that stopped you joining and this was one...

• More than one episode of deliberate self-harm of any type

Ok well i've definatley gone over one but if it's been years since I did it would they really care?
And why? Why would they care?
Also more than once? Why more than once?
:/

[IAMWILL]

If you're not going to do it again, you can just not tell them ;)

But even so they are pretty strict, so this may affect your application. If you have an interview just make sure you are confident and stable in what you say, they won't take you if they have any doubts about you.

[Fiction]

Yeah I could lie, if I can get rid of scars which there is no guarantee of.

[Fact]

So i was looking at illnesses etc that stopped you joining and this was one...

• More than one episode of deliberate self-harm of any type

Ok well i've definatley gone over one but if it's been years since I did it would they really care?
And why? Why would they care?
Also more than once? Why more than once?
:/

Because if they see you're mentally unstable when you're not under stress whilst in the RAF, they're probably wondering how you'd ever cope with the stress once you're in the RAF.

Also, such employers are usually pretty strict on physical and mental health anyways. I've known the military to refuse people because they wear glasses.

[ShatteredWings]

Americans; RAF = Royal Air Forces

Also, such employers are usually pretty strict on physical and mental health anyways. I've known the military to refuse people because they wear glasses.

Military in general, that's obsurd
Air forces, makes sense. Need to be able to see perfectly. Ours doesn't allow lasic either


Now, RE self harm. They probably are referring to all addictions, but have to specify self harm because people won't necessarily lump it in.
Years plural and scars fading they probably won't care anymore though, you're right. They don't want you going in mentally unstable.

[Azunite]

I thought RAF was Royal Air Force :S

[ShatteredWings]

I thought RAF was Royal Air Force :S

That's what i said

[Azunite]

Well I just couldn't understand what is discussed on this topic, enlightment please?

[Fiction]

Because if they see you're mentally unstable when you're not under stress whilst in the RAF, they're probably wondering how you'd ever cope with the stress once you're in the RAF.

Also, such employers are usually pretty strict on physical and mental health anyways. I've known the military to refuse people because they wear glasses.

I understand that. And yeah I know they have it's just I don't get why... if after years and years you haven't done it why they would still care? :/

[ShatteredWings]

Basically she wants to get into the RAF, but they have a requirement that you can't have had self harm episodes. Kathy cuts. Basically this is a "why, and can i get around it" question

[Fiction]

Basically she wants to get into the RAF, but they have a requirement that you can't have had self harm episodes. Kathy cuts. Basically this is a "why, and can i get around it" question

Well worded :P

[Azunite]

Ahh
It is just I couldn't imagine a girl who wants to go into RAF :P

And well what Fact said is right

[ShatteredWings]

Ahh
It is just I couldn't imagine a girl who wants to go into RAF :P

And well what Fact said is right

Women aren't alowed in the military there?

[Azunite]

Women aren't alowed in the military there?

They are allowed. World's first woman fighter pilot ( Sabiha Gökçen ) was Turkish, we are proud of giving women rights before anyone did.

It is just I would never imagine a girl who insists a lot to go into RAF.

[Malcolm Tucker]

My grandfather served with the RAF. He always said their entrance requirements, especially the medical, were very strict. I don't know why - I mean, if you do have history of SH an independent psychological assessment could be done on a case by case basis. But to just turn people away sight unseen is not on tbh. :/

[Azunite]

My grandfather served with the RAF. He always said their entrance requirements, especially the medical, were very strict. I don't know why - I mean, if you do have history of SH an independent psychological assessment could be done on a case by case basis. But to just turn people away sight unseen is not on tbh. :/

I agree, they could let you in and fix your self harm problem.

[ShatteredWings]

My grandfather served with the RAF. He always said their entrance requirements, especially the medical, were very strict. I don't know why - I mean, if you do have history of SH an independent psychological assessment could be done on a case by case basis. But to just turn people away sight unseen is not on tbh. :/

If she doesn't have it documented (I.E. hospital visits and psychatric notes) would they know?

[Azunite]

If she doesn't have it documented (I.E. hospital visits and psychatric notes) would they know?


Maybe no but there is a slight chance that she won't be able to resist and cut herself there.

[Malcolm Tucker]

If she doesn't have it documented (I.E. hospital visits and psychatric notes) would they know?

True fair enough, I must have skipped over that part - my apologies.

Then if they don't know and they don't find out then there shouldn't be a problem so long as you keep competent etc..

If it is documented in your medical records then I think some sort of evaluation should be performed, it's borderline on discrimination I think as this wouldn't really have any affect on job performance IMHO. All debates aside, I think if it's not treated and/or documented then how will they know? They won't. So no problem. I don't think they do physicals anyway. I'll ask next time I get a chance.

[Cloud]

They are allowed. World's first woman fighter pilot ( Sabiha Gökçen ) was Turkish, we are proud of giving women rights before anyone did.

It is just I would never imagine a girl who insists a lot to go into RAF.
Why is it?
its not just a combat role, theres medical support required, mechanical support
its not just all flyey roundey blowy shitty uppy
they still need people to look after the planes and crew, and also plan the missions, and even their own infrantry regiment
why is it surprising when theres so many possible roles to play?


If she doesn't have it documented (I.E. hospital visits and psychatric notes) would they know?

thats what i thought, it would need to be documented or you could just say it was all at once


Maybe no but there is a slight chance that she won't be able to resist and cut herself there.

point of her finding this out is to see if there is a chance of her getting in
maybe to give her more reason to stop herself?

[Fiction]

There's scars and stuff to worry about too.
I don't know, it's kind of putting me off ever getting help.

[Infected]

I'm not absolutely sure about the RAF, but for the British Army it lists it as something which may disqualify you, but something which requires further investigation. Meaning. They look at applications on an individual case, which is where you'll be accepted or rejected. You'll have a chance if you self-harmed only a few times and stopped it, and have managed to abstain from it for a number of years as opposed to cutting yourself every time you get anxious or depressed.

The reason why they're so strict on mental health is because of the conditions you will/may be placed in. You might see killing, dying, actually.. you might have to even do it yourself. The PTSD rate of ex-soldiers is high, and the forces could potentially be held responsible if you were to snap and kill either yourself or/and your colleagues when they knew you suffered from bad mental health in the past. It's not 'discrimination'. It's a requirement which has been put in place as a result of years of experience. The same reason they don't let asthmatics/diabetics join, etc.

[Fiction]

I understand why they wouldn't want people to join who are self harming. I have gone over doing it a few times... but by the time I join I could have not done it for years, and I think it's a little unfair to say that you therefore don't let people in. :/

[Infected]

Oh, I was just using two extreme opposites. Nothing personal. To be honest, the only way to find out is to fill out the application and attend the introductory interviews to see if you're getting in or not. On your medical questionaire though, you'll have a load of questions asking things like "Have you ever tried to kill yourself?" "Have you ever self-harmed?", etc. It's your choice whether to be honest or not, but as far as I know, they still do physicals and they're trained to distinguish self-harm scars from other types of scars (although personally I doubt some of that ability), and you could get done for lying.

As you say you're planning to wait a few years, the scars may have faded by then, anyway. Just rub lots of egg/olive oil on them. It sounds weird, but it works. Avoid getting hospitalised (especially sectioning).

[Nilnoc]

It's great that you want to serve your country.
Even if you lie in the interview, is there a physical exam? I know that in the US each soldier that signs up has to undergo mental and physical health exams, but I'm not sure about the RAF.
If this is something you want, keep pushing for it.

[Fiction]

I know you have to have a physical health exam. I just don't know if i can get by that :/

[eatthis9999]

RAF will ask if you have anything to declare and if you dont and they find out a dis-honerable discharge is up there :/

[Apollo.]

I actually think when they say self harm they mean addictions and really serious cases like suicide attempts. But I'm not sure:(. All you can do is try and good luck to you I admire you for wanting to serve your country:).

[Fiction]

I don't think they do or they'd be less specific about the whole "more than once" thing, plus self harm and suicide are two totally different things :/