Devastated son

[Mairyhinge]

Hi all, I had a thread a few months ago because my son was waiting to hear from the RAF.
Well they've turned him down, after 4 months waiting on medical results they've declared him PMU.
All because he's going to be screened for a cardiology problem his father has.
He's fit, well, healthy and now devastated beyond words.
This was all he wanted.
How can I best support him whilst encouraging him to not let this beat him? What else can I do to help him find something else? He's 17! And already feels like he's on the scrap heap.
He's breaking his heart poor kid.
We can appeal but it doesn't alter the fact he's will be screened which is the real reason they've said no.

Once he’s been screened, and hopefully found clear of the problem, could you then appeal?

Can he not be screened and if all ok then appeal?
Perhaps you could pay a senior cardiologist who will write a report for the RAF.

I'm more than willing to pay for a private report doing but I'm not sure it would help. They've said they're declaring him PMU due to the fact he needs ongoing screening, even tho there's no genetic link and he's at no more risk that you or I.
Incredibly frustrating but we have to look to the future.
I just don't know what to do to help him!
HEs never been as enthusiast about anything like he was about this, we need to to work thru it - somehow

Just appeal repeatedly. Military medical screening is all over the shot at the moment.

Do you know if it was a military or contracted medical team he saw?

It was capita ( who are renowned for being shit), and we will appeal but we need more evidence. I'm going to speak to the cardiologist and try to get some help there.
Thank you

If he's not eligible for a particular career, I'm afraid that's the way it is and that is life. We have all faced such disappointments and your son will just have to cope with them the way everyone else does - be sad, resign himself, pick himself up, and move on. He needs to find an alternative and let go of this particular dream and find a new one.

Oh, yes, definitely appeal. All Capita can do is tick boxes, whereas a military team can use discretion. My husband has ridiculously bad white coat syndrome which gives him a high BP when he goes for medicals. Capita are forever trying to kick him out the Army!

I hate Crapita with a passion. Definitely appeal repeatedly. Bless your son - I hope it all works out for him.

Capita are indeed shit, and probably did a very basic tick-box exercise. If you can get a report that explains that your son is not at risk of keeling over with heart failure you may well get someone more sensible dealing with the appeal. You can point out that, with the extra screening, he's probably in practical terms much less of a risk than people who may have problems that don't get detected.

Have you tried Navy or Army instead? The different forces have different criteria, for example my brother was too tall to be an RAF navigator but fine to be a Naval navigator.

Thank you all for your kind words. I'm hopeful of an appeal plus the fact that yes, due to screening he's LESS of a risk!
I've mentioned the other forces but he's so down he thinks they'll still turn him down.
Once the disappointment has eased somewhat we will look again.
Thank you