Military Aspies/Auties

[Sportster]

. . .

 

[Keigan]

I’m not a veteran, though an acquaintance is.

He describes that the military was a great place for his Aspie traits as there is tremendous routine, structure and training that he could follow. His military life worked well, now he has challenges with life outside of the military due to lack of routine, structure and variability of life and dealing with others who are random in thought and emotions.

 

[Nitro]

I had my sights set on the Airforce,but backed out after the recruiter informed me that my corrected vision would keep me out of flight school.
There were plenty of other positions available,but I wanted the pilot training in order to go commercial after my duty was over.

Looking back on it,my lack of respect for authority barking in my face would have led to my incarceration fairly early on had I taken any other position there

 

[WereBear]

It's funny, because every military person I know told me I would be miserable with the regimentation and demands.

 

[Judge]

I'd think a potential life in the military offers a huge dichotomy for those on the spectrum.

Where one might feel at home in a "black and white" environment where you simply follow orders based on established protocols and a uniform code of military justice. Conversely such a life dictates having to interact with others in very close quarters with few or no options. No matter how objectionable it might be.

With people like my career Naval Officer father thinking I'd have done well in the military. And my mother thinking it might have been a catastrophic idea had I done so. As for my first cousin who I also suspect is on the spectrum, he had a promising career as a Marine Corps aviation mechanic. Until his commanding officer assigned him inevitable duty as a recruiting officer. A job requiring social skills my cousin was simply not up to and never would be. It ended very badly for my cousin.

There's one other concern. That our military and government has not always been on the same page when it comes to inclusiveness beyond race and ethnicity. And when it comes to neurological considerations of eligibility, that too seems to be in uncertain territory. Where one's autism might get you advanced only so far in such a system where suddenly and politically you may no longer be acceptable, regardless of your conduct and achievements thus so far.

Or where your entrance to military service may abruptly end while you are being physically and mentally evaluated for military service by the subjective analysis of a medical professional. With a more rigorous emphasis now being placed on mental health considerations. And where even sexual orientation seems now like a political football where only in the recent past we thought the system had gotten past that.

Risky business attempting to enlist in today's military for much of anyone on the spectrum. You might do well, or you might crash and burn and not from your own doing. Proceed with great caution.

 

[Ragnahawk]

Please don't join the army if you are on the spectrum. You lose options. They do not make considerations for Aspie traits or even the personality types. There's always this turd who makes it his business to mess with soldiers. Then here comes the paperwork, and multiple people forming the opinion that you are defective. If weren't already thinking that before. Don't get me wrong. I am a genius when it comes to work and solving problems. Dealing with people however. I pissed a lot of people off unintentionally and got shut down when I tried to maintain the right way to do things. I also got shut down when I asked a lot of questions. IF you do go, go for only one reason. College. You will be disappointed otherwise unless you are say, military police (better structure).
I think if I wasn't christian I would have just offed myself a long time ago. I'm glad I'm extremely stubborn.

Side note: I have a mini blog. (lacking details. Best your getting)

 

[clg114]

I was in the army from 1964 until 1967 (3 years, 6 months and 4 days). In those days you did not have a choice. If you did not sign up, you got drafted. I signed up to avoid being drafted. I was one of the people with a bad attitude, I did not want to be there. I was promoted and busted twice. When I got out I was a specialist E4. I ended up getting a medical discharge because I got busted up in a motorcycle accident.

I did not like the army because I did not like being told when and how to do everything. I also did not like living in a barracks with a bunch of men. I would not recommend military service for anyone on the spectrum.

 

[Ragnahawk]

I was in the army from 1964 until 1967 (3 years, 6 months and 4 days). In those days you did not have a choice. If you did not sign up, you got drafted. I signed up to avoid being drafted. I was one of the people with a bad attitude, I did not want to be there. I was promoted and busted twice. When I got out I was a specialist E4. I ended up getting a medical discharge because I got busted up in a motorcycle accident.

I did not like the army because I did not like being told when and how to do everything. I also did not like living in a barracks with a bunch of men. I would not recommend military service for anyone on the spectrum.

Thank you.

 

[Crossbreed]

[x] Served and washed out.
My option wasn't on there. I served (during peacetime). I was a spectacular success in my technical field, targeting radar systems tech [Navy FTM]. I was a spectacular failure at fitting into the military social order. Consequently, I was discharged early; general, under honorable conditions.

 

[Full Steam]

I had my sights set on the Airforce,but backed out after the recruiter informed me that my corrected vision would keep me out of flight school.
There were plenty of other positions available,but I wanted the pilot training in order to go commercial after my duty was over.

Looking back on it,my lack of respect for authority barking in my face would have led to my incarceration fairly early on had I taken any other position there

Almost exactly the same as me.

Except I decided if I couldn't be a pilot I could be flight crew as a weapons guidance engineer. I passed the first test but narrowly failed the second. I got offered a resit, but changed my mind.

Some things would suit me, and I follow logical rules to the nth degree, but illogical rules I don't feel bound by. I get shutdown from extremes of temperature which includes high body heat from exercise, so that would probably have seen me fail basic training also.


I got into motorcycles as a fighter plane substitute.

 

[Nitro]

Almost exactly the same as me.

Except I decided if I couldn't be a pilot I could be flight crew as a weapons guidance engineer. I passed the first test but narrowly failed the second. I got offered a resit, but changed my mind.

Some things would suit me, and I follow logical rules to the nth degree, but illogical rules I don't feel bound by. I get shutdown from extremes of temperature which includes high body heat from exercise, so that would probably have seen me fail basic training also.


I got into motorcycles as a fighter plane substitute.

I did get quite a few hours built up towards a private ticket in a tail dragger,but never took the time to complete it.

I started out with the dirt bike scene,off road woods buggies,the street performance thing,the 4wd stuff and then the street bikes.
I still have my bombed up 1989 1200 Sporty and my 1970 OSSA 250
There is a 427 inch Chevy Caprice dragster project nearly finished on the property and all the makings of a 454 cubic inch Malibu in the pole barn.

If I live long enough,I want to build a fiberglas '41 Willys Americar coupe on a Chevy S-10 chassis

 

[Full Steam]

I did get quite a few hours built up towards a private ticket in a tail dragger,but never took the time to complete it.

I started out with the dirt bike scene,off road woods buggies,the street performance thing,the 4wd stuff and then the street bikes.
I still have my bombed up 1989 1200 Sporty and my 1970 OSSA 250
There is a 427 inch Chevy Caprice dragster project nearly finished on the property and all the makings of a 454 cubic inch Malibu in the pole barn.

If I live long enough,I want to build a fiberglas '41 Willys Americar coupe on a Chevy S-10 chassis

Sounds awesome - lets see 'm

Post a picture of your super-cool motorcycles - previous and current

My next bike will be old school - maybe a Triumph cafe racer, or something Italian like a Guzzi. I love some of factory retros too though, even some of the Jap stuff.

 

[Sherlock77]

I chose option #3, but only because I don't think I would be a good military member, I have full respect for those who choose to serve...

I use my photography to show that respect, as per another discussion topic I started...

I have often pondered what I would do if was a young man during the Great War or WW2... I know that during WW2 young men were looked down on for not joining the military, it was basically expected and people would question you for not doing your part... I once met a man here in Canada, who told me quite openly that he was just too young to join the WW2 effort and still wishes that he could have joined...

 

[megacomic]

I considered joining the Navy when I was unsure about college but I'm not good at leading or following. I don't give orders and I don't take them I live my own way. I'm pretty stubborn like that.

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

I chose option #3, but only because I don't think I would be a good military member, I have full respect for those who choose to serve...

I use my photography to show that respect, as per another discussion topic I started...

I have often pondered what I would do if was a young man during the Great War or WW2... I know that during WW2 young men were looked down on for not joining the military, it was basically expected and people would question you for not doing your part... I once met a man here in Canada, who told me quite openly that he was just too young to join the WW2 effort and still wishes that he could have joined...

A lot joined under age in Britain. Or the 'bevan boys' also tried to join. The name for men who worked in a restricted occupation like coal miners-my grandad tried to join but they found out he was a miner.

Look up Nye Bevan

 

[Gracey]

In retrospect, it was perfect.

A job I had the natural ability to excel at.

It all fit beautifully. Rank, structure, routine, expectations.

Getting the job done was priority and not massaging insecure egos of some civilians.

I didn't have to figure out a context in order to offer one (of many) responses or replies.

 

[Crossbreed]

On a related note, I read that Israel created a special [branch?] just to accommodate ASDs in their military.

 

[pjcnet]

I am against all military and my views might seen to be controversial by some so it's probably best if I don't go into detail in this non political section and end it there.

 

[wight]

In retrospect, it was perfect.

A job I had the natural ability to excel at.

It all fit beautifully. Rank, structure, routine, expectations.

Getting the job done was priority and not massaging insecure egos of some civilians.

I didn't have to figure out a context in order to offer one (of many) responses or replies.

Yep, all of this for me. Though I think this is probably a personality and job specific thing. Having said that, it isn't a choice I would recommend to anyone (spectrum or not).

 

[Beguiling Orbit]

I served a two-year enlistment as an infantryman. That was enough time for me. Any longer and too many people would have taken notice of my quirks. I'm thankful for the time I spent in the Army. I learned discipline, forced impulse control and to respect authority. There's nothing quite like having the threat of an Article 15 (non-judicial military punishment, for those outside the U.S.) hanging over your head to keep you in check when you feel like lashing out at the semi-literate morons who happen to outrank you.