'My army dream was ended by childhood eye surgery'
Summary
Lewis Jackson, who has wanted to join the British Army since childhood, was rejected because of cataract surgery he had at age three. Despite having good vision now, Army rules say anyone who had lens replacement surgery cannot serve, and Jackson was ruled permanently medically unfit. The Ministry of Defence says strict medical rules are needed to keep the forces effective, but some argue these rules are too strict and block capable people from joining.Key Facts
- Lewis Jackson, 21, from Cirencester, was rejected from the British Army due to cataract surgery in childhood.
- He spent years in the Army Cadets and was an excellent marksman.
- The Army recruitment process rejected over 114,000 applicants on medical grounds in the last five years.
- Common medical rejection reasons include psychiatric issues, eye problems, and musculoskeletal conditions.
- The Ministry of Defence says strict health rules maintain operational readiness but have removed over 100 outdated policies recently.
- The British military is currently about 6% below its personnel target with a shortfall of over 8,000.
- Jackson appealed with medical evidence proving his vision is stable and excellent now, but rules about lens surgery remain strict.
- Some experts and MPs suggest medical standards should allow people with stable, non-disabling conditions to serve.
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