Removing the military enlistment ban on Asperger's syndrome

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Joined: 9 Apr 2013
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23 Jun 2013, 10:11 pm

I really think that the military disqualification ban for Asperger's syndrome should be removed because in order to make it possible for hordes of Aspies to join the military, the ban has to be removed first. Now there are some people in foreign countries that are Aspies that wanna join the military but they can't because recruiting guidelines are so strict in those countries that they they'll instantly be disqualified once they arrive at the recruiter's office and explain their Asperger's. Everyone knows that there are a substantial number of Aspies both in the U.S. and from foreign countries from as far away as Canada, Australia and the U.K. that wanna enlist but, unfortunately they can't because they're instantly disqualified as well because of their condition. Now this obviously makes people with Asperger's in Canada, Australia and the U.K. as well as the U.S. somewhat angry and very bitter to find out that they can't qualify because of their condition.

But if we actually sued the U.S. Government and won to allow Aspies into the military, then we can have our chance to enlist unlike so far back when Asperger's was an instant ineligibility.

Here's a source of perspective from User Name: dis/Ability Advocate who explains one way to repeal the military service ban on Asperger's syndrome. Note: He's an Aspie himself.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 359AA6vc9U

Yupa thinks too that we should fight to repeal the military enlistment ban on Asperger's.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postxf89997-0-45.html

Last edited by AutisticAmerican24 on 23 Jun 2013, 11:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Fnord
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23 Jun 2013, 10:14 pm

Your complaint is already out-of-date.

"Asperger's Syndrome" will no longer be an official diagnosis once DSM-V takes full effect.

"Autism" and "Autism Spectrum Disorders" will likely still be disqualifications for military service.

AutisticAmerican24
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23 Jun 2013, 10:46 pm

Fnord wrote:

Your response is noted.

Those with Asperger's still refer to themselves as Aspies not just because of it's name, but because of it's symptoms regardless of whatever DSM-V says.

In regards to autism being an instant no-no for military enlistment it depends on what country that you live in. In the U.S., it depends on what recruiter that you see, whether or not you're taking any medication, therapy, treatment, counseling and if you fulfill all the standards and all the requirements, then yes, you can join the military.

In Israel, you're both drafted and you have a choice to enlist if you have A.S.

In Canada it's possible to join but it may depend on what recruiter that you see and if you meet all the standards, requirements and finish the tests with good marks.

The same goes for Australia.

For the land waving the flag of the Union Jack, it's an instant no-go. They will most likely spot you even if you somehow do manage to sneak in.

I have no idea what any other countries' recruiting policies are regarding military service for people with A.S. You're gonna have to ask them. I have no clue.

nopenope
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23 Jun 2013, 10:52 pm

Also, the military is probably not a right livelyhood for people on the spectrum, given the rampant bullying, loud noises, and lack of schedule, at least during basic training and exercises.

Fnord
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23 Jun 2013, 11:02 pm

It was okay for me - six years in the Navy and an Honorable Discharge.

AutisticAmerican24
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23 Jun 2013, 11:03 pm

nopenope wrote:

Also, the military is probably not a right livelyhood for people on the spectrum, given the rampant bullying, loud noises, and lack of schedule, at least during basic training and exercises.

That's where you're wrong. The Aspies are the only ones on the spectrum allowed to enlist in the U.S. military. A substantial number of Aspies are American and they do have military training because they spoke to a certain recruiter and they fulfilled all the requirements, standards and passed all the tests. Check your facts and verify them before you go bragging about something that you know nothing about.

Fnord
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23 Jun 2013, 11:04 pm

AutisticAmerican24 wrote:

nopenope wrote:

Also, the military is probably not a right livelyhood for people on the spectrum, given the rampant bullying, loud noises, and lack of schedule, at least during basic training and exercises.

Pot ... kettle ... black ...

AutisticAmerican24
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23 Jun 2013, 11:06 pm

Fnord wrote:

AutisticAmerican24 wrote:

nopenope wrote:

Also, the military is probably not a right livelyhood for people on the spectrum, given the rampant bullying, loud noises, and lack of schedule, at least during basic training and exercises.

Pot ... kettle ... black ...

What are you talking about ?

Fnord
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23 Jun 2013, 11:07 pm

:roll: :lol:

AutisticAmerican24
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23 Jun 2013, 11:29 pm

Fnord wrote:

:roll:

You're gonna have to provide an explanation. I still have no clue / no idea what you're referring to.

DVCal
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23 Jun 2013, 11:35 pm

AutisticAmerican24 wrote:

I really think that the military disqualification ban for Asperger's syndrome should be removed because in order to make it possible for hordes of Aspies to join the military, the ban has to be removed first. Now there are some people in foreign countries that are Aspies that wanna join the military but they can't because recruiting guidelines are so strict in those countries that they they'll instantly be disqualified once they arrive at the recruiter's office and explain their Asperger's. Everyone knows that there are Aspies from as far away as Canada, Australia and the U.K. that wanna enlist but, unfortunately they can't because they're instantly disqualified as well because of their condition. Now this obviously makes people with Asperger's in Canada, Australia and the U.K. as well as the U.S. somewhat angry and very bitter to find out that they can't qualify because of their condition.

But if we actually sued the U.S. Government and won to allow Aspies into the military, then we can have our chance to enlist unlike so far back when Asperger's was an instant ineligibility.

Here's a source of perspective from User Name: dis/Ability Advocate who explains one way to repeal the military service ban on Asperger's syndrome. Note: He's an Aspie himself.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 359AA6vc9U

Yupa thinks too that we should fight to repeal the military enlistment ban on Asperger's.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postxf89997-0-45.html

Nevermind

sacrip
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24 Jun 2013, 1:24 am

The problem is self correcting. The Aspie who wants to enlist will simply not mention his AS and/or lie about it, and a recruiter is not going to learn otherwise because he isn't going to research more thoroughly than a criminal background check. The Aspie who is unable to hide his condition is quite frankly unlikely to succeed in the military.

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Troy_Guther
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24 Jun 2013, 4:50 am

Even if aspies could legally serve in the military, I'm not sure why one would even want to. At least for me, sensory issues, trouble with authority and a borderline inability and refusal to fully conform would make any military service a veritable hell-scape. I can understand if you'd want to serve due to a feeling of patriotism or some other thing, but it is probably better to leave that to those more suited for the job.

zer0netgain
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24 Jun 2013, 6:52 am

sacrip wrote:

Not necessarily. Aspies who can pass as "normal" may never have experienced the life pressures that make them manifest their symptoms more openly. The military is a very effective "pressure cooker" that could make an Aspie go to pieces. If that Aspie doesn't know they are one, the failure to adapt can be a soul-scarring episode in their life where they blame themselves for failing at something they were predisposed to fail at through no fault of their own.

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24 Jun 2013, 10:05 am

zer0netgain wrote:

sacrip wrote:

In my case, I had already been raised by an abusive alcoholic father who made the drill instructors at boot camp mere pussycats by comparison.

We started off with nearly 100 people - mostly punks, drop-outs, self-righteous religious nutters, right-wing nazi wannabes, gangstahs, and a few stoners.

13 weeks later. we were down to 56 "lean, mean, fightin' machines", having lost the most extreme cases to their own violence and inability/unwillingness to adapt.

AFAIK, I was the only "Aspie".

thewhitrbbit
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24 Jun 2013, 12:35 pm

I don't think it should be a disqualification automatically but something to consider.

Remember that not every aspie has sensory issues or issues with schedules, so some might find the military a great success. Others might wash out.

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