Yupa
Avatar of Evil
Joined: May 15, 2005
Age: 23
Posts: 1567
Location: Florida
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 Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 4:54 am Post subject: |
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| hitokage wrote: | | I came across this just the other day - as of April 28, 2010 DoD Directive 6130.03 added among many things Asperger Syndrome to the medical standards - see this PDF (listed on page 42 - section starts on page 41). |
I think some kind of campaign to repeal this is in order. |
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TheMatador
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jul 04, 2010
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Future_Patriot wrote: | | I'm hoping to do ROTC in College. I asked around and I was told that if I get a wavier signed saying I'm fine for the military and if I get a decent score on the ASVAB I'll get in. I figured if I do ROTC I won't have to go through the crap that enlisted do (I have family members with military background). My hope is to be an intelligence officer in the army after I complete ROTC. Yes I'm an aspie. |
You don't do the ASVAB if you are applying for ROTC or the academies, however they will weigh your SAT/ACT scores so be sure to do very well on those if your aiming for a scholarship or one of the academies. |
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Northeastern292
Phoenix
Joined: Sep 17, 2008
Age: 22
Posts: 944
Location: Brushton, New York
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| Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| zer0netgain wrote: | | chaddhuddon wrote: | | im not in the military but my uncle is (colonial in the airforce) and he has a lutenent colonial who has AS so anything is open |
Which just goes back to how Autism/AS is a spectrum disorder. Those who are really on the "mild" end of the spectrum can learn to effectively cope with the "quirks" and achieve some impressive things with hardly anyone realizing they are autistic. |
I know this topic's old, but I'm looking at the Air Force or Coast Guard reserves, and I'm glad this topic exists. |
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zer0netgain
Phoenix
Joined: Mar 03, 2009
Posts: 4062
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| Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Northeastern292 wrote: | | zer0netgain wrote: | | chaddhuddon wrote: | | im not in the military but my uncle is (colonial in the airforce) and he has a lutenent colonial who has AS so anything is open |
Which just goes back to how Autism/AS is a spectrum disorder. Those who are really on the "mild" end of the spectrum can learn to effectively cope with the "quirks" and achieve some impressive things with hardly anyone realizing they are autistic. |
I know this topic's old, but I'm looking at the Air Force or Coast Guard reserves, and I'm glad this topic exists. |
If you've not been diagnosed with AS formally, you might have a shot. I don't know enough about the Coast Guard to know how AS-friendly it might be. Certainly the Air Force is the most "civilian-ized" of the branches...leaving hope that it will be a relaxed enough environment to promote coping with situations. |
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davidalan11235813
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 02, 2011
Age: 23
Posts: 147
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| Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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I am currently in the Navy, and have previously been diagnosed with Aspergers. Reading through this thread, my experience has seemed to be different than that of many other people. Boot Camp was not particularly difficult, but that may be because my father was in the Army, and did a tour as a drill sergent (though oddly enough, he has Aspergers as well, and was the one to tell me I was diagnosed as a child), so as such, I was somewhat used to that sort of strict authoritarian lifestyle. "A" school (this is what the Navy calls its secondary schooling, similar to AIT in the Army and Marine Corps) was considerably more difficult for me. I enlisted in a highly technical field (nuclear propulsion), which I liked the idea of, but have come to dislike the degree to which I have come to be forced to interact with instructors and other students (the former of which often being blatantly condescending and disrespectful). I am managing to get by however, as I have completed the vast majority of my training, and have served one year (out of six) of my obligation without incident. I think I can survive it  |
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Jowan
Emu Egg
Joined: Aug 04, 2011
Posts: 3
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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| Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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| I am in the Navy. If anything I think the Navy has helped me with my Aspergers. It was very stressful at first. Now I am an E5 and have been in for 4 years. |
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mametalhead
Emu Egg
Joined: Oct 08, 2011
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:59 pm Post subject: Re: Asperger's Syndrome and the Military |
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| Hi. I'm new here, joined after seeing this thread. Anyways, I'm someone who very seriously wants to serve in the military. Back when they they really needed troops in '06, I went through a lot of the steps with an Army recruiter, only to be turned down when they saw AS in my medical record. Since then, any mention of it with a recruiter from any branch has brought the discussion to an instant dead end. I recently got my Bachelors (Criminal Justice) and still really strongly desire to serve, perhaps as an officer. Is there any way this is still possible? I don't think I'd prove unworthy if I was just given a chance. Whatever happened to the days when any man with a pulse who could hold a rifle would be allowed to seek honor in his country's armed forces? Unless AS just came to exist in the past 20-30 years or so, I can't imagine that when our country's called up every young man of a generation for Vietnam, the Civil War, the World Wars, etc, then the Aspies of those generations got their chance at this honor. |
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mametalhead
Emu Egg
Joined: Oct 08, 2011
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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| I guess I should have proofread that last sentence, but I think my point remains clear. |
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Metanoia
Butterfly
Joined: Oct 09, 2011
Posts: 15
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 1:38 am Post subject: |
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I am a combat vet and served in the Army prior to diagnosis. I would say this: if you are willing to face and learn to endure stress then it isn't a bad life. I liked the structure and the purpose. On the flip side combat radically changes your life and there is a lot you will be carrying in your ruck sack for the rest of your life. If you can handle it great, if not, don't do it.
As for the concerns of "discrimination" I would address it this way. AS is linked to anxiety and depression. The fact is you normally don't place loaded weapons in the hands of people who are prone to those circumstances. Yet the USAF 's willingness to take you with a letter indicates that you are mild, you are not prone to those complications, and that your MOS will not place you in that situation.
I think of a Criminal Minds episode where the leader, Hotchner, speaks to his SME Dr. Reid, a brilliant Aspie with multiple PhDs. He states "you are the smartest kid in the room; however you are not the ONLY kid in the room." The military doesn't make these rules to be "discriminatory". They do it because it is a diverse, stress filled place and they need to be absolutely sure that you can handle it before they place you in situations that may put you and others at risk. It sounds like they believe, and you believe that you will bring alot of value to the Air Force. Just make sure your eyes are wide open if that is your choice. |
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Embroglio
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: Apr 27, 2011
Age: 24
Posts: 185
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| Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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| I suspect a lot of lifers in the military have mild, or borderline AS. I'd imagine the structure and routine of military life would attract those types. Though those with moderate or severe AS would probably have a difficult time in the Military. |
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MacDragard
Velociraptor
Joined: Nov 08, 2011
Posts: 437
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:56 am Post subject: |
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I think it depends on what branch of the military you go into and what your job is. I think people with AS would do best in the Air Force and maybe the Navy, particularly in the tech fields. At the same time, no matter what branch of the military you go into, you just have to know what to expect, and researching online will help better prepare you.
EXPECT that you're going to get yelled at, possibly humiliated, and told how much of an idiot you are in the beginning.
EXPECT that nothing is set in stone as far as things like jobs and locations go.
EXPECT that it is a high-stress environment where you have to work as a team.
EXPECT that if you want to succeed in the military, you have to get involved as much of you can and prove you can be a leader.
EXPECT that you're going to feel like you made the biggest mistake of your life by joining at any moment in time.
If you are willing to cope with these aspects, then you shouldn't have a problem in the military. I'd say if it's something you really want to do, go for it. |
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USAFGhost
Emu Egg
Joined: Nov 13, 2011
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I have been in the Air Force for more than 20 years now, I have had multiple AFSC's and currently serve as an Intelligence Analyst which seems to be what I am perfectly made for, I never really thought about being an Aspie until after my son was diagnosed but can see the similarities in our behavior now that I have done some research on the subject. My wife thinks my asperger's is an asset for what I do, seeing the connections that no one else does in a particular situation. Being able to research hours on end and finding the information and trends that no one else can. My superiors currently task me for the most technically complex of jobs requiring the most in depth knowledge of a particular subject matter. I am the only one many times that is allowed to and trusted to brief the most senior ranking officers. Which I do not mind doing, but don't necessarily like engaging in personal dialogue or relationship with someone I am not familiar with. I prefer to exist in the shadows and don't need the social interaction most other people do. I hope to retire from the AF in about 5 to 10 more years. I have not been formally diagnosed but know the devastating effects that it would have on my career if I was. DoD does not understand the benefits that placing Aspie's in certain positions can have. We make the best Intel analysts, engineers and other technical personnel that excel in areas where we can be left alone. |
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hitokage
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: May 31, 2008
Age: 34
Posts: 37
Location: Frederick, MD
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| Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:44 am Post subject: |
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I've been meaning to drop by here and add a link to a story I saw about two weeks ago on Military.com:
Was Autistic Man Really a Marine? Court to Decide
If you have a formal diagnosis it's a very bad idea not to tell the recruiter as you can get charged for fraudulent enlistment. Also, state law can play a role in addition to the Military's rules. |
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MacDragard
Velociraptor
Joined: Nov 08, 2011
Posts: 437
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| Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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| I think it's on a case-by-case basis. Obviously if you're someone who regularly needs to see a mental health specialist, is on medication, and has sporadic behavioral problems, then it's a problem. If however you're someone who hasn't seen a psychologist for 7+ years and can get that psychologist to write a letter for you saying that you're mentally stable and competent, then that's a different story. |
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SteveBorg
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Dec 21, 2008
Age: 45
Posts: 74
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:12 pm Post subject: Interesting Perspective |
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| MacDragard wrote: | I think it depends on what branch of the military you go into and what your job is. I think people with AS would do best in the Air Force and maybe the Navy, particularly in the tech fields. At the same time, no matter what branch of the military you go into, you just have to know what to expect, and researching online will help better prepare you.
EXPECT that you're going to get yelled at, possibly humiliated, and told how much of an idiot you are in the beginning.
EXPECT that nothing is set in stone as far as things like jobs and locations go.
EXPECT that it is a high-stress environment where you have to work as a team.
EXPECT that if you want to succeed in the military, you have to get involved as much of you can and prove you can be a leader.
EXPECT that you're going to feel like you made the biggest mistake of your life by joining at any moment in time.
If you are willing to cope with these aspects, then you shouldn't have a problem in the military. I'd say if it's something you really want to do, go for it. |
As a licensed counselor outside of the military, I wonder if, with more advocacy and information, the military might be able to capitalize on strengths of Aspies. In an ideal world, the ASVAB results could be used together with strengths that Aspies have to place a candidate in a best fit position. But that's in the ideal future, probably.
_________________
Steve Borgman
www.myaspergers.net
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