The UK Armed Forces and epilepsy

There are special rules about who can work in the UK Armed Forces.  If you have epilepsy, your options for joining may be limited.

Find out about who can apply to join the UK Armed Services, and what might happen if you are already working there and you have a seizure.

Soldiers on parade

Can you join the army if you have epilepsy?

The Armed Forces includes the army, navy and air force.

The possibilities of joining the Armed Forces if you have epilepsy are very limited.

Whether you can join the Armed Forces will depend on the type of epilepsy you have, when you last had a seizure and whether you have been on treatment.

Epilepsy, single seizures and febrile convulsions:

You would NOT be able to join the Armed Forces if:

  • You have been diagnosed with epilepsy or have had more than one seizure since the age of 6 years
  • You have had a single seizure in the last 5 years

 

You MAY be able to join the Armed Forces, possibly in restricted jobs if:

  • You have had febrile convulsions before the age of six, and no seizures since then, or
  • You have had a single seizure more than 5 years ago, and have not been on treatment since then.

 

Provoked seizures

This is defined as a seizure that has a specific cause which is not likely to recur. If you have had a provoked seizure, this will be assessed on an individual basis. The Single Service Occupational Physician responsible for the selection of recruits will be able to advise you.

 

Childhood absence seizures

You may be considered fit for employment if

  • you have a history of childhood absence seizures which started before the age of 10 years and
  • you have had no seizures or treatment for the last 5 years.

 

Benign rolandic epilepsy of childhood

This syndrome is also now called childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes.
You may be considered fit for employment if

  • you have a confirmed diagnosis of typical benign rolandic epilepsy of childhood and
  • you have had no seizures or treatment for the last 5 years

What happens if you have seizures once employed by the Armed Forces

If you have only had one seizure, you are usually downgraded for 18 months. You may also be restricted in driving and handling weapons.

If you have had more than one seizure you are usually considered unfit for any trade in the Armed Forces.

If it is discovered, after being employed, that you have not mentioned a disqualifying medical condition that you knew about beforehand, then you may be administratively discharged because of failure to declare this at enlistment.

For more information contact the Single Service Occupational Physician responsible for the selection of recruits in your area.

This information is taken from the Joint Service Manual of Medical Fitness, September 2018.

Published: January 2021
Last modified: July 2023
To be reviewed: February 2024
Tracking: F082.06
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