Bloody Capita "managing" Army recruitment.
Since he was 13 DS1's only ambition has been to be an Army Officer. Threw himself into everything as a cadet and succeeded there in a way he never did at school.
Not naturally academic, he had to work really hard to get the A level grades needed, which he did.
Submitted his application in Nov 2018 and spent 9 months being constantly told they needed this piece of information then another piece, all of which were sent straightaway and acknowledged. At one point they cancelled his application because he hadn't responded, when he had emails confirming they had everything they needed.
Then spent a day travelling for the medical and was deferred because of his hearing. Despite having met the published standard, he showed some slight hearing loss which they wanted investigating. Fair enough but it took 4 months to arrange the follow up appointment.
The Consultant wrote a letter saying he did show slight hearing loss but no cause for concern just to be careful with hearing protection. This was sufficient for them to reject him on medical grounds, despite the fact that he had met their own standard and their doctor wasn't concerned.
He appealed and won but this took another 5 months.
Then he was due to go for selection which was cancelled due to lockdown.OK I'll give them that, it wasn't their fault.
However, the process apparently restarted in June but by this time his original medical is a year old and he needs another one, before he goes for selection which is currently set for September. He's been told he must not attend if he doesn't have an up to date medical.
He has been promised a medical date before then but nothing has been forthcoming. He has phoned and/or emailed everyday for the last month chasing up this medical appointment. The person he needs is either not there, promises to call straight back or doesn't return his calls. The emails are unanswered. He's asked to speak to someone in charge and was promised a call within 48 hours but...
This is for a lad who was the most senior/successful Army cadet in the county and has an absolutely glowing recommendation from the County Commandant, a recently retired General. They should be chasing him, not the other way round.
Anyway, today, he's decided enough's enough and it's no longer his chosen path.
I'm just venting really but isn't it reassuring to know our military is so well organised?!