| What do you think about the decision to exclude people with Asperger's from the US military? |
| I think it is a good decision. |
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14% |
[ 21 ] |
| Overall, I think it's good, but there should be an examination or something similar to that effect. |
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12% |
[ 18 ] |
| Overall, I think it's a bad decision. People should only be excluded for physical disabilities or severe mental disabilities. |
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40% |
[ 58 ] |
| This is a terrible decision. This is discrimination! |
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31% |
[ 45 ] |
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| Total Votes : 142 |
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RobotGreenAlien2
Toucan
Joined: Feb 14, 2008
Posts: 291
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 Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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| pyzzazzyZyzzyva wrote: | | Well I guess they can't have an aspie soldier flipping out when action needs to be taken. This, however, does not take into account the benefit Aspie soldiers could provide, being more detail-oriented, among other things. |
I was just reading Tony Attwoods book and he said that in some cases Aspies working in the Military or in Emergency rooms keep a level head when everyone is freaking out. I could see how sensory stuff could be a problem but I think they should test each one, boot camp seems to be a good test.
Maybe they're worried about PTSD lawsuits. |
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sage_gerard
Snowy Owl
Joined: Apr 21, 2012
Age: 22
Posts: 149
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent. I did not want to risk being ordered to die.
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LennytheWicked
Phoenix
Joined: Oct 23, 2011
Posts: 516
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| They're playing Jenga with this one if they won't recruit Aspies for, say, computer jobs. Actually, front-line jobs too. If they can't handle it then don't give them those specific jobs, just like you would with anyone else. <.< |
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1000Knives
It's not difficult if you know how.
Joined: Jul 09, 2011
Age: 22
Posts: 4606
Location: CT, USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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Well, as far as I know, unless your diagnosis is well known to others, then you'd probably be able to lie and get in. I mean it's not like there's a database of people with Aspergers diagnosis that the US government is keeping somewhere that the military looks at. I think the only thing would be, if you knowingly went in with an Aspergers diagnosis, you might get in trouble if things went south during your time in the Army, and if you were discharged, it might be dishonorable discharge or loss of benefits or something to that effect.
I mean the Army already will, say, exclude people with depression or anxiety diagnosis, which many more people are diagnosed with than Aspergers, I'd guess lots of people in the Army probably got a middle school diagnosis of depression, too. I think even if the Army got access to your medical records (and in the case of, say, a therapist you paid cash for, this might be kinda hard) you'd then just have to see a military psychologist and be rediagnosed. So, excluding Aspergers isn't really like, that odd if you think of it that way.
Interesting what you said about the draft, auntblabby. Never knew it was quite like that. I do know Jimmy Hendrix got out of the draft by pretending he was gay in Basic, and Ted Nugent (who was totally pro-Iraq war, gee) got out of the Vietnam draft by shitting and pissing in his pants for 2 weeks before going to the recruiting office to make himself look crazy. As far as Aspies in a draft, though, it'd depend on a lot of things. I kinda wonder too, if some Aspies could make, say, a good sniper or really specialist combat role like that, not just a boring computer tech or whatever. In a draft, we'd at least have to cook food, haha.
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1000Knives
It's not difficult if you know how.
Joined: Jul 09, 2011
Age: 22
Posts: 4606
Location: CT, USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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| RobotGreenAlien2 wrote: | | pyzzazzyZyzzyva wrote: | | Well I guess they can't have an aspie soldier flipping out when action needs to be taken. This, however, does not take into account the benefit Aspie soldiers could provide, being more detail-oriented, among other things. |
I was just reading Tony Attwoods book and he said that in some cases Aspies working in the Military or in Emergency rooms keep a level head when everyone is freaking out. I could see how sensory stuff could be a problem but I think they should test each one, boot camp seems to be a good test.
Maybe they're worried about PTSD lawsuits. |
That's actually somewhat how I am. I'll be usually perfectly calm while everyone else is freaking out. Like after I got into a car accident where I totalled the car, I felt no negative emotions at all. I just immediately got out of the car, checked damage, called my mother, called the police, and yeah. I didn't feel bad about it at all for like 3-4 days. 3-4 days after of course I was like "I'm the worst person in the world." But immediately after, I didn't feel bad at all. Partially I think when things like that happen, I get extra adrenaline to get me through it.
I also have a friend with NVLD like me, he's the same way. He was a security guard at a hospital, so he actually basically was an orderly, he'd be able to tackle people like it was no big deal. But, he'd retreat into his room and be anxious when his sister brought her friends over. Another example of him, his family was on a boat and freaking out because it was rocking, and he just was completely level headed and cool.
Yay 1337 posts.
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Too kawaii to live...
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meggy52
Hummingbird
Joined: Apr 27, 2012
Age: 19
Posts: 20
Location: S Clara County, CA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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| sage_gerard wrote: | | Excellent. I did not want to risk being ordered to die. |
Or ordered to kill someone......
I do think that the Government made a good decisions with this ban because in the end a military force is about combat effectiveness, and that they want to make sure everyone is as ready as possible to serve. We already have too many under-qualified soldiers and have lost combat effectiveness being boged down by AA .Everyone in the world knows our military is weakened by political correctness more than any other country in the world. Countries like China and Russia and Iran may take advantage of that, given that they only allow the best soldiers. when it comes to combat affectivenss everyone needs to be on the same page. A military officer is about honor but utimatley, its aboutwho is the best fighter over all. We aren't anymore, and AA is why. |
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Joker
Sinn Fein
Joined: Mar 20, 2011
Age: 24
Posts: 7593
Location: North Carolina The Tar Heel State :)
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:47 am Post subject: |
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| I don't see why aspies can't be in the military we have one quaility a good soilder needs that is loyalty sure we have a flaws but we can make up for them where it counts the most. |
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NarcissusSavage
Phoenix
Joined: Sep 03, 2009
Age: 31
Posts: 656
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:04 am Post subject: |
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I served in the Air Force. The military lifestyle very much suited me. I did rather well in uniform, and received several accommodations, continually received highest possible performance reviews and was promoted early twice (Fairly big accomplishment) in my 4 years of active duty. During my time, I also managed to correct and improve dozens of technical writings, designed testing equipment that streamlined maintenance and discerned the cause of several equipment problems no one else could isolate, aside from my normal duties. (vagueness intentional, sorry civilians  ) I served 2 more years in the Air National Guard, and did rather well there as well, although felt it lacked some of the structure I admired in active duty.
That is the soldier/technician the military decided they don't want any more. Good for them. |
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ruveyn
Phoenix
Joined: Sep 22, 2008
Age: 76
Posts: 29318
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| nodice1996 wrote: | | Damn. Wish I didn't have a diagnosis. |
If they don't ask, don't tell.
ruveyn |
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MotherKnowsBest
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 15, 2009
Posts: 1191
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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Depends on the type of aspie the individual is. My brother would be brilliant in the military (although he'd make a better Bond villain). He's emotionless, logical, uber intelligent, feels no pain, no fear. He's like Terminator.  |
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meggy52
Hummingbird
Joined: Apr 27, 2012
Age: 19
Posts: 20
Location: S Clara County, CA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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What counts most is combat! I'm sure many citizens are loyal to our USA, but not all of them have what it takes to fight, even with our crappy low standards. Thats why are military sucks, because they think "o if your loyal enough you can fight regardless of physical ability". That's wrong. Countries like Israel do have some conscription to toughen everyone up but in the end, they only take the fittest. The fittest are the est to protect the country.
I'm going to go off tangent a little here, would anyone here be willing to discuss Starcraft 2 strategy with me a little. PM if you are interested (my battle.net is |
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Delphiki
Launchie
Joined: Apr 15, 2012
Age: 23
Posts: 1350
Location: My own version of reality
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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| ruveyn wrote: | | nodice1996 wrote: | | Damn. Wish I didn't have a diagnosis. |
If they don't ask, don't tell.
ruveyn |
They ask if you have any medical history. That would include any diagnosis you have. Sure you could lie and say you don't. But you have no idea if they would end up finding out later |
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Sweetleaf
Metalhead
Joined: Jan 07, 2011
Age: 23
Posts: 14828
Location: Somewhere in Colorado
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Joker wrote: | | I don't see why aspies can't be in the military we have one quaility a good soilder needs that is loyalty sure we have a flaws but we can make up for them where it counts the most. |
Well I don't know that we are all loyal to just anyone, I am that way towards people close to me who I know I can trust.....but it would be quite dangerous to just be loyal to anyone in general.
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It's like alice in wonderland except, my names not alice and this is the real world not a dream. |
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Joker
Sinn Fein
Joined: Mar 20, 2011
Age: 24
Posts: 7593
Location: North Carolina The Tar Heel State :)
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Sweetleaf wrote: | | Joker wrote: | | I don't see why aspies can't be in the military we have one quaility a good soilder needs that is loyalty sure we have a flaws but we can make up for them where it counts the most. |
Well I don't know that we are all loyal to just anyone, I am that way towards people close to me who I know I can trust.....but it would be quite dangerous to just be loyal to anyone in general. |
I would give my loyalty to my country if given the opportunity to serve in the military I am only speaking for myself though cause not all aspies are the same. |
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Sweetleaf
Metalhead
Joined: Jan 07, 2011
Age: 23
Posts: 14828
Location: Somewhere in Colorado
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Joker wrote: | | Sweetleaf wrote: | | Joker wrote: | | I don't see why aspies can't be in the military we have one quaility a good soilder needs that is loyalty sure we have a flaws but we can make up for them where it counts the most. |
Well I don't know that we are all loyal to just anyone, I am that way towards people close to me who I know I can trust.....but it would be quite dangerous to just be loyal to anyone in general. |
I would give my loyalty to my country if given the opportunity to serve in the military I am only speaking for myself though cause not all aspies are the same. |
Well quite frankly I don't agree with the government and who uses the military, the government...I cannot give my loyalty to this government. Its got nothing to do with this country, and I have no issue with this country its not the fault of the land, trees or mountains that things are going downhill.
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