Asperger's Syndrome and the Military

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MDD123
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30 May 2013, 6:38 pm

AutisticAmerican24 wrote:

But if I go and tell the recruiter / doctors that I don't have Asperger's, and he / she goes ahead and accesses / requests my medical records and sees that I have it, then I could be charged with fraudulent enlistment for lying about it.

Depends on the country, if you live in the US, medical is private and they have no way of knowing if you even have medical records. They'll have their own doctors physically examine you before they let you in (no getting physical disqualifiers past them), the mental part is all about answering the right questions (no hearing voices or wanting to kill yourself).

I'm not a huge fan of lying either, but I was desperate to get out of mom and dad's house and actually do something. I am definietly doing better in life because of the whole experience. I'd do it all over again if I had a second chance. If telling someone the truth just makes it easier for them to limit my opportunity in life, then I'll lie.

As far as the petitioning goes, I'll sign it if you show me the link.

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AutisticAmerican24
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30 May 2013, 11:35 pm

I'm not referring to a petition. I'm referring to a lawsuit, the way that women sued Panetta to allow their fellow females to enter combat positions, so why can't we do the same thing like suing the U.S. Government to allow people with Asperger's to enter the military ?

AutisticAmerican24
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01 Jun 2013, 7:48 pm

Can someone post the most recently updated standards of medical fitness for AR-4501 ?

AutisticAmerican24
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18 Jun 2013, 5:17 pm

I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army and I want to know, how long is the background screening and physical examination ?

MDD123
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18 Jun 2013, 9:03 pm

AutisticAmerican24 wrote:

I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army and I want to know, how long is the background screening and physical examination ?

It's been 10 years since I went though the initial screening. Aside from the criminal background check, the physical health screening at MEPS should take a day, it took me two days because of my back. You'll fill out tons of questionairres, do some blood-work, strip down and have some doctor look at you from head to toe. I don't know what the regs are, sorry. The questionairres never asked about whether I has Aspergers/Autism or not. The way my recruiter told me to fill the thing out was to check "yes" for good health and "no" for bad health and stick with it. Anything that doesn't fall in line with those answers will make them look for a reason to bar you from enlisting.

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AutisticAmerican24
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19 Jun 2013, 8:51 pm

But how long is each part of the physical examination ?

MDD123
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20 Jun 2013, 1:07 pm

10 minutes tops, most of the time is spent standing in line waiting for the examinations.

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AutisticAmerican24
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20 Jun 2013, 6:52 pm

I apologize, but you're gonna have to be a little more specific. The total duration of the overall physical examination takes 10 minutes or each part of the physical examination takes 10 minutes ?

MDD123
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20 Jun 2013, 11:07 pm

Each part I guess. There was one part of the exam where you're in a room full of guys in your underware and they'd line you up and have you move around while some doc generally assesses your skeletal structure (I guess it was cheaper than x-rays). They did a skin exam, then had us go into a room one at a time so a doctor could examine the rest if you know what I mean. This was more than 10 years ago, my recollection isn't very good on how long it took. All I know is that most of the time was spent waiting in line, when there are a hundred or so people getting examined and only so many doctors, they have to make time to examine everyone.

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AutisticAmerican24
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20 Jun 2013, 11:59 pm

Thank you so much for your information. By the way, what unit were you in ? Were you in infantry, combat engineer ? Are you still serving right now ?

MDD123
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21 Jun 2013, 6:03 am

No problem. I was a medic assigned to an engineer unit. I was part of 172nd stryker brigade out of alaska at the highlight of my career. I'm a reservist now.

Good luck at MEPS, do you have an MOS in mind?

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glow
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21 Jun 2013, 6:27 pm

SteveBorg wrote:

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.

I agree with both arguments and wonder if the same can be applied in a civilian job as in todays clinical world, everything seems multiplied, so instead of thinking that you are not a winner in fact you are. Just in a timed capacity where everyone knows their limits but you don't, correct?

AutisticAmerican24
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23 Jun 2013, 2:10 am

MDD123 wrote:

Sorry, I apologize that it took me so long for me to respond. As a matter of fact, I have decided on a specific MOS. And after finishing BT and all the other requirements / courses required for my chosen MOS, then I'll apply for Special Forces Assessment and Selection at Fort Mackall, North Carolina. I've wanted to be a member of Special Forces ( Green Berets ) ever since my sophomore year in high school. I graduated from HS in 2010 at age 17.

AutisticAmerican24
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23 Jun 2013, 2:11 am

MDD123 wrote:

FerrariFan
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03 Jul 2013, 3:17 pm

Hello all,

I am currently Active Duty and have been for almost 15 years. I have not been diagnosed, but all signs are pointing that this is where I belong.

Having said that, if you can put up with basic training and then the subsequent schools after that you should be fine. The active part isnt so bad, but some of the schools are rough - especially the ones you talked about heading toward being a Green Beret. I personally dont think thats a great place, but if it fulfills your dreams then by all means go after it.

If you have any questions please pm me or ask away. I am new to the forum but will try to revisit here more frequently.

FF

AutisticAmerican24
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22 Jul 2013, 11:10 pm

Please help ! I've been working on my college degree for three years now and have failed almost every single class, As an alternative, I am strongly considering joining the U.S. Army as a last resort. What should I do ? Keep working on my degree or join the Army, or join the Army and then work on my degree while I'm in ? Please help !

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