Oh absolutely, and I acknowledge that and she knew that at some point she'd be found out and I'm sure if she was ordered to take control of a patrol and a weapon she would have come clean, because as nasty as some people like to paint her, I doubt she's actually put lives at risk.

She knew herself how bad her fits were and would have had a very good idea of her chances of being found out, but she wanted to serve and I admire her for that.

If anyone's at fault really it's the Army for not requesting medical records, which when I served was done with immediate effect of when I joined up.

That's only because you decided that deceit and putting lives at risk is a positive.
It was already a negative.

I wouldn't approve of them being active in the role, but I'd admire them for applying and wanting to do a worthy job.

Just because people have a medical problem it doesn't mean that they don't have a yearning to serve for their country or want to be part of the emergency services.

It's like someone wanting a baby but can't, it doesn't stop some trying.

But no lives were put at risk were they, so your point is completely invalid.

But then if she knew eventually she'd be found out, it's that a bit selfish? By that I mean, she took up a place in the full knowledge that she'd lied thereby denying another candidate who was in good health the chance to serve. They only have so many places to offer and I think that's a tad selfish. IMO anyway.

With regard to your own skin condition, I can see why it may not be advisable, given when training, forces folk have to wade through dirty water, submerge themselves in said water etc whilst on training and all that kind of thing. If you have cracked skin which your own particular problem can have, then dirty stagnant water etc may cause serious infections etc. I suspect that may come into why they have that particular rule.

Just a guess mind.

only because the found out and booted her out for her lies...

It's a very difficult thing to calculate. Generally for every intake there are a number the people that leave, are discharged or leave for medical reasons, and new recruits are recruited throughout the year. When I joined the RN there were 10 different intakes all training at the same time, it was very busy with people joining up and quite a few left - some just didn't expect it to be so regimented, which is laughable - others just got homesick.

As for Psoriasis, I had no idea I had it as I just had scaly skin on my elbows. I originally went to join the army but failed because of the Psoriasis and that's the first I knew I had it.

But a year later I went for the RN and put make up on my elbows, passed the medical and later the physicals and then joined up.

The problem with Psoriasis is that it breaks out after a stressful period - and I mean about a month or so after a stressful period - and after basic training was finished and |I'd passed out it broke out & I was covered in it.

I was hospitalised for a week, but that was it, because I'd proven myself I was not discharged or had any action taken against me and I stayed for 5 years.

Common sense should allways prevail however much you want to do a certain job ie other people's lives surely Katie H longing to get into the millinery she should also have thought of this

And if Hitler had never been born we wouldn't have had WWII - but you can't live in an if/but world, it doesn't work.

But sometimes people have a real hope or a real need and they get angry that they're not allowed to do something because of something they had no choice in and therefore that drives them to try.

Really? Do you understand what the training involves? Why do you think anyone with epilepsy unsuitable for their training course?

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/features_...my_officer.htm

Yes, I served in the armed forces myself, I'm absolutely aware of what training involves thank you.

BIB. Yes, new recruits leave, or are discharged on medical grounds etc but presumably those that do leave for whatever reason, were truthful on their application forms. Medical reasons that were unknown at the time of applying are going to happen. You can even be discharged on medical grounds because of continual blisters on your feet that are causing concern. I don't mean just the tiny ones, but some suffer dreadfully and that causes issues. I'm not however convinced that you can simply nip in and fill the place just because someone has left. Otherwise you'd have the possibility of new recruits joining mid basic training. I do think it's more you'd have to wait until the next official intake to join. Therefore my initial thoughts on Katie denying someone a place, who was in fact, medically fit at the time of applying still stands. I think that was rather unfair of her.

I suppose it's like anything in life, some people really want something and go for it whilst others take an opportunity but don't work at it enough or don't really have as bigger interest in it as others.

I see her joining up as something she desperately wanted to do and to acieve, I can't knock her for that.

So you'd be quite happy having an epileptic alongside you during military training?

Wow. Thank goodness it's not allowed.

She was totally irresponsible.

We can only imagine situation if

1. KH didn't have the condition

And

2. Boot was on other foot

Or

3. She had just read such a scenario in a local newspaper

She would have failed anyhow, intelligence and Hopkins don't mix.

Indeed. The woman's a completely screwed up mess.

Equally you have to acknowledge your limitations. It's unfortunate if you suffer from something that prohibits you from doing what you'd like to do. Many of us have to deal with that, it sucks but in reality you have to think of what impact your own actions could have on others. I do think it's selfish and rather stupid, but that's my own personal view. She should count herself lucky that she's now doing something I assume she enjoys, seems to be well paid for and has a family life. There are far worse things that could have happened to her. She should count herself fortunate.

You do realise Sandhurst didn't know she was epileptic? Do you realise what her training would have involved, including weapons training, driving army vehicles, rock climbing etc. It's indefensible, no regard for anyone else's safety and totally irresponsible.

Oddly, at no time during her training did anything ever happen - what if's don't make an argument.

Of course, but some people in life will always try their hardest to reach their goals, and, as I said earlier, that's why I admire her.

sorry but she stated in an article she was having 15 absences a day at the time and would walk off in the wrong direction whilst on parade etc so yes things did happen during her training.

Hopkins being selfish and irresponsible by keeping her medical history a secret. Glad she got found out in the end and glad nothing bad happened to her or anyone else as a result of her selfishness.

Not putting anyone's life in danger though for heaven's sake. You telling me that no one ever makes mistakes at their place of work?

Walking in the wrong direction is hardly devastating is it.

Bash Katie all you want, whenever you want, the people that support her, like her, admire her really won't care.