Ancient nut allergy has ruined my soldiering dream
Superfit Michael, 17, left stunned by knockback
A SUPERFIT teen’s Army dreams have been shattered – after he was snubbed for having a mild nut allergy when he was just seven.
Michael Wilson had wanted to serve in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards since he was a child but was stunned to get a knockback at the recruitment office for declaring his past health issue.
Despite the worst recruitment and retention crisis in the forces for decades, Michael – who has only had one slight reaction more than 10 years ago – was turned down for his minor ailment.
Jiu Jitsu expert Michael, 17, who provided Army recruitment chiefs with a doctor’s letter backing his application, said: “I couldn’t believe it. The Army was the only thing I was interested in.
“I was gutted. I used to have a mild allergy to peanuts, pistachios and cashews. It’s been about 10 years since anything happened.
“When I was seven, I had a minor skin flare-up and that was it. I think I have grown out of it.”
The news comes as other Army hopefuls have been rejected for “very minor” or non-recurring childhood health issues.
Some have reportedly revealed they were rejected because they suffered from childhood eczema or had previously experienced back pain.
The disclosure will add to the concern about the vetting process for recruits because of problems enlisting a sufficient number of personnel.
Michael, of Rutherglen, near Glasgow, said: “Rejecting people with mild allergies is absurd. I can’t make sense of it as the Army website states a ‘severe’ allergy would stop me from joining. My allergy was never severe.
“I had my heart set on the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. I feel like I would really be able to make a difference with them.
“They aren’t looking at the individual and how suitable they are, they are just using a one size fits all approach.”
The medical process for examining recruits is outsourced in the Army, Navy and RAF to contracting firm Capita, which holds several high-profile Government contracts.
Michael’s case has been backed by a new campaign called Right To Fight, which aims to change the British Armed Forces medical policy.
The MoD said: “It is right we have high medical standards to ensure recruits can fulfil the demands of the job. These are regularly reviewed and each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.”
I had a minor flare-up when I was seven – and that was it MICHAEL WILSON