// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
'My army dream was ended by childhood eye surgery'
Lewis Jackson has been blocked from joining the British Army on medical grounds
Lewis Jackson cannot remember a time when he did not want to join the army and continue a family tradition of military service going back to World War One. That dream was shattered, though, when his application was rejected on medical grounds.
"Serving my country has always been a dream of mine and I never considered that I'd do anything else," said the 21-year-old.
Jackson, from Cirencester, was turned down by the Army because he had cataract surgery at the age of three.
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said: "Service in the Armed Forces is physically demanding, so it's right that we have sensible health and recruitment policies which maintain operational effectiveness but don't unnecessarily exclude people."
The BBC has spoken to potential recruits and professionals who question whether the rules are too strict while some applicants said they had been prevented from joining because of medical conditions they regard as minor or no longer relevant.
Jackson spent his teens in the cadets, preparing himself for a career in the Army
Jackson spent his teenage years in the Army Cadets where he was recognised in his unit as the best shot.
He applied to join the Army Reserve, motivated by a desire to "give back" to a country which he said had given him "so much", but he was rejected.
"It's very frustrating, especially when you know that you are fit and healthy and you haven't even been given the opportunity to fail," he said.