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Army Jobs HomeHow Do I Join?Can I Join?Do You Have a Medical Condition?

Do You Have a Medical Condition? 

Unfortunately and understandably, there are many medical conditions that are not compatible with Army service.

So before you apply it's important that you reveal your complete medical history. Please see below for a list of some of the conditions that may make you unsuitable for Army enlistment.


Chest Disorders

  • Asthma, wheeze or Asthma symptoms (and treatment) during the previous 4 years.
  • Chronic lung diseases (e.g. Emphysema, Bronchiectasis and Cystic fibrosis.)
  • Active Tuberculosis (TB).

Back Problems

  • Spinal surgery (including internal fixation or fusion). Recurrent lower back pain. Spina bifida.

Bone or Joint Problems

  • Meniscectomy (knee cartilage operation) within the last year. Surgical repair of a knee cruciate ligament. Lower limb fractures with internal fixation (metalwork) still in place. Loss of a limb.
  • Complete loss of a thumb. Total loss of either great toe. Any degree of clubfoot (including past surgery). Chronic joint diseases (e.g. Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Gout). Reiter's disease in last 5 years. Osteochondritis dissecans.

Eye Disorders

  • Chronic eyes diseases (e.g. Glaucoma, Keratoconus and Retinitis pigmentosa or colour blindness). Squint surgery in last 6 months. Corneal problems (e.g. corneal graft and recurrent corneal ulcers). Loss or dislocation of eye lens. Cataract or cataract surgery. Detached retina.

Ear Disorders

  • Presence of eardrum ventilation tubes or Grommets. Current perforation of ear drum. Chronic ear diseases (e.g. Cholesteatoma).

Abdominal Problems

  • Chronic abdominal diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis). Kidney disorders (e.g. Horseshoe kidney, Polycystic kidney disease and Kidney stones). Donation of a kidney in last 2 years. Kidney disease in last 2 years.

Neurological Disorders

  • Epilepsy or more than one seizure/fit after the age of 5
  • Single seizure/fit in the last 4 years.
  • Multiple Sclerosis.

Skin Problems

  • Malignant melanoma or skin cancer within 2 years. Active skin disease (e.g. eczema and widespread psoriasis).

Pregnancy

  • Current pregnancy or childbirth in the last 6 months.

Chronic Blood Disease

  • Sickle Cell disease. Congenital spherocytosis. Thalassaemia. HIV seropositivity / AIDS. Carriers of Hepatitis B or C. Past history of leukaemia or malignant lymphoma.

Psychiatric Problems

  • Schizophrenia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alcohol or drug dependence. Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Other Conditions

  • Loss of spleen (Splenectomy).
  • Transplanted organs.
  • Severe allergic reactions and or anaphylaxis requiring adrenaline injection precautions.
  • Nut allergy.
  • Circulation problems (e.g. Raynaud's phenomenon or disease).
  • Diabetes.
  • Diseases (e.g. glandular or hormonal) requiring long term medication or replacement therapy.