Medical
Eligibility - Medical
Medical standards for Authorised Firearms Officers
The nature of being an armed police officer for the Ministry of Defence can be tough and physically demanding. Protecting critical Defence assets means your physical and mental health directly impact your ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations.
To join us, you'll need to be fit and healthy. Before you're offered a job, you'll need to pass a medical assessment (including a drug and alcohol test) and a Physical Employment Standards Job-Related Fitness Test (PES-JRFT).
Once you've passed your interviews, you'll be invited to attend a pre-employment medical.
Before your medical
You'll be sent three forms to complete beforehand:
Medical History Questionnaire - Complete section 1 yourself, then ask your GP to complete, sign, and stamp section 2
Opticians' Form - Must be completed, signed, and stamped by a qualified optician
Audio 1 Form - Complete this yourself (the last page will be completed by the MOD Occupational Health practitioner at your medical)
You'll also complete two questionnaires at your medical covering respiratory health and fitness to use breathing apparatus.
What you'll be tested on
At your medical, you'll undergo the following assessments:
Hearing (audiometry)
Vision
Blood pressure and pulse
Urinalysis
Lung function
Height and weight/BMI
Drug and alcohol testing
Hearing
You'll need to meet the College of Policing Authorised Firearms Officer hearing standard without hearing aids. Hearing is tested using pure-tone audiometry.
You're unlikely to meet the standard if you have:
Total hearing loss of more than 84dB across 0.5, 1, and 2 KHz frequencies
Total hearing loss of more than 123dB across 3, 4, and 6 KHz frequencies
Annual hearing tests are required throughout your career as a firearms officer.
Eyesight
You'll need to meet the following minimum standards:
Binocular vision of 6/7.5 (aided or unaided)
At least 6/12 in your worst eye (aided or unaided)
Unaided binocular vision of 6/36 or better (this doesn't apply if you've successfully corrected your vision with soft contact lenses)
Near vision of N8 (corrected and uncorrected)
Bring your glasses/contact lenses and current prescription to the assessment.
Visual field
You'll need a field of view of at least 120 degrees horizontally and 100 degrees vertically, free from significant defects. Each eye is tested separately.
Laser surgery
If you've had laser surgery (LASIK, LASEK, PRK, or ICRS), at least six weeks must have passed since your surgery with no remaining side effects, and you must meet the eyesight standards above.
Colour vision
You must meet a high colour vision standard. Dichromats, severe anomalous trichromats, and monochromats are not suitable for AFO roles. Colour-correcting lenses are not accepted. Your optician will carry out an Ishihara test. If you don't pass this, you'll need to take additional tests including the Farnsworth-Munsell D-15 and City University tests.
BMI and body composition
Your BMI must be between 19 and 30. Waist circumference must be under 40 inches for men and under 35 inches for women.
If you fall outside these measurements, you may still meet the standard if your waist-to-hip ratio is under 0.95 (men) or 0.80 (women), or if your body fat percentage is 21% or under (men) or 30% or under (women).
Blood pressure
Your resting blood pressure must be consistently below 140mmHg systolic / 90mmHg diastolic to be suitable for the AFO role.
Other medical conditions
Some medical conditions may affect your suitability for the role. All conditions are assessed individually as part of your pre-employment medical. Here's guidance on some of the most common:
Asthma
You'll be assessed individually. If your asthma is managed with medication such as inhalers, you may still be accepted.
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is unlikely to be suitable for the role, though each case is assessed individually. For both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, you'll need to show your condition is well managed and that you can safely adapt to shift patterns and variable mealtimes.
Epilepsy
You're unlikely to be found suitable, but you'll be assessed individually based on your history of epileptic fits after the age of 5.
Stress, anxiety, or depression
Cases are assessed individually, taking into account the demands of the AFO role. A face-to-face assessment will also be required.
All medical conditions are evaluated through the pre-employment medical process, ensuring fair and thorough assessment of your suitability for this demanding but rewarding career.