Would an autistic/aspergers syndrome person, be allowed in the airforce or the army?

Question

if he pasted

Answer 1

as far as i know, no. sorry. but they may change it depending on how severe the symptoms are. if its hardly noticable perhaps. im not 100%ing anything but it might be a possibility. hope everything works out =)

Answer 2

Actually, the regimentation in the forces may help aspergers sufferers. They dont like change, which is something that doesnt happen in the forces.

My dad has aspergers and he used to be in the RAF.

Answer 3

i hope not, if not then that's would just be disrimination.

Answer 4

Go and have a chat in the local army/airforce careers office, the guys in there are usually happy to chat to people who are interested. In fact go to several of the in the surrounding area, you probably won't get a definitive answer on your first visit. It will also depend on the "severity" of your friends autism, he may get a straight no, or yes but not doing this etc.

Best wishes, Paul

Answer 5

I cannot see why not, being aspergers does not mean you cannot function in society. Some of our most talented people are aspergers.

As another respondent stated the routine of military life would suit people with aspergers as they dislike change and operate best when they know what to expect and what is expected from them.

Answer 6

This may depend on functioning, IQ, and any other mental health conditions that may go hand in hand with Aspergers, which is common to have a dual diagnosis.  But full Autistic, probably not, because of anger and IQ concerns.

Answer 7

I will tell my experience with the Army so maybe you will want to tell your friend.  I am 19 and I have asperger's and I went to an Army recruiting camp because my dad wanted me to.  I went and it was definitely not for me.  I did not get enough personal space, I didn't have any privacy, I did not get any needed alone time, I hated being controlled and having no control myself, I was extremely stressed the entire time, you get yelled at constantly, you must keep eye contact.  The camp was a month long but I only stayed 11 days because I couldn't handle the stress and anxeity.  

I would suggest that your friend go to a preliminary camp so he could get the feel of it before he contracts and is stuck doing something he doesn't want to do.

Answer 8

Pasted?  Not understanding 'pasted' in this context.  I guess if he could demonstrate a stability, and a certain I.Q.  What problems does he have?  How do they manifest themselves?

Answer 9

i cant see why not as he/she will probably fullfil all expected duties 150% as is the nature of aspergers if the job is one of their passions

Answer 10

I don't see why not. Most people with Asperger's lead fairly normal lives, particularly those with above average IQ. However, I think the better question to ask would be, "Would someone with Asperger's or some form of autism want to join the army?" The answer would probably be that very few would. The armed services are about communication and companionship. It's about knowing what the next man will do and being there to help him, while he's there to help you.

As someone with Asperger's or some type of autistic spectrum disorder, I think it's a bit too much group working for most.

Answer 11

depends what country you are from. I dont think you can with the australian army (not sure about RAAF)

i couldnt get in due  to my asthma. which i get only when i get a cold these days.

they are very tight when it comes to health, physical, mental etc

It wouldnt matter if someone had an iq as high as einstine (sorry sp) they would have to  be able to handle stressful situations which may be difficult for someone with autism. But they test this, so they may let people with autism in the forces if they can prove that they can cope with stress etc and pass the medical..

- why dont you call them up?

Answer 12

possibly not social disorder of some sort make t hard if diagnosed to get thru asvap, meps, basic...etc  

Answer 13

I have heard a couple of stories of people with Asperger's who have not been allowed in the army, but that might've been because they took medications for things like depression. I'm not sure if they would've still been rejected if they didn't take medications, but I would think it'd be very difficult for an autistic/asperger's person to be in the army because of the trouble with communication. Misunderstanding orders in a military situation could have some severe consequences.