In the Military, I suspect I have Aspergers

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Many of the symptoms, in fact, most of them, that are used to describe this syndrome, fit me...and have my entire life.

And I'm in a lousy place to figure this out, 2 weeks into Air Force tech school. It was only because I had problems in basic with "Common Sense" things that I began to suspect something was up.

Obviously I can't seek a real diagnosis or treatment, because doing so would get me kicked out of the military from what I can see, so I can only go by my own suspicions...but has anyone here been in the military, and have any advice on how to avoid having Asperger's related problems?

Welcome, and there is a thread here somewhere about Asperger's and the military, I will look it up for you. And yes, I believe autism would exclude you from military service, and you might even want to be careful who or what might see you posting here.

http://wrongplanet.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=13964

Welcome to the right planet! In all probability, if you find the boot fits you are AS. Glad to have you in the tribe. I hope you find this place a good spot for data and solace.

I also guess that in the military AS as a diagnosis might be rough, that some aspie traits may serve you well.

And thank you for joining up and defending me and America!

I was in scouts? does that count?

-I wouldn't get into the army - ,, my friend tried, a highly genius aspie (Aerospace) - they said 'Inablity to follow intruction' - auto failure.

Don't tell anyone - and yeah I'd be carefull about who and where you discuss.


---It's been 5 days me realising I'm an Aspie, Autie, a naughtie Autie!! ! -who cares - I found that now I am learning even faster now that I know (maybe except my typing!)

Have you read United States: Asperger Syndrome in Military Service by Roger Meyer a professional disability advocate, who also wrote Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook (2001).

"From only a half dozen histories taken so far, most individuals report successful military careers in which they chose to remain on active duty for substantial periods of time primarily in non-combat, non-command, support roles."

Here is the link: United States: Asperger Syndrome in Military Service

Hi, I was in the British Army. Dont know how things are in the rest of the world, either way if they knew I had any sort of 'disability' I would have been discharged, at the very least never let near a rifle! I got drawn to the Army because it has [the rules]- everybody understands they have to abide by them, simple. I got on ok, most guys thought I was 'aiming off centre' but it was fun. Never told anyone of my suspicion that I had AS, didnt want to spoil things. If I did someting wrong in thier eyes, I just had to accept the punishment. There's a saying in the Brit. Army that 'BS Baffles Brains' which I think means doing stuff to a realy high standard just because you can, not because there's a reason to. I took this as a rule so went along with it and after a while I felt at home.
I'm now out of the Army after the Gulf2, and work as a Prison Officer. More rules. And no-one knows.
Good luck![/i]

I wouldn't let them know you have aspergers, because they would think Autism, and fear the worst and at least figure you would be undependable, but WHY would aspergers be a bad thing to have in the airforce? Frankly, **I** thought about being in the Airforce! It is probably a GREAT place for people with AS. It is higherclass(Out of all real miltary service), more free space/time/technology! That is good for YOU! For THEM, they get a hardworker that likes it and is smart! That is good for THEM! WIN WIN! What's wrong? And HECK, the idea of being in such a place could mean the chance for a better social life.(There is just somethinge about the camaraderie and the uniforms/idea)

Steve

I was in the Air Force as a 3C0, pretty much a network admin. Trust me, you may not fit in once you get to your base, but they definitely recognize good work. I liked to work by myself or go to one-on-one situations, fixing stuff for officers. You'll find officers are usually easier to deal with than enlisted too.

Essentially, unless your job requires interaction, just keep to yourself and do a good job. Ironically, I was up for BTZ (early promotion), and lost it to someone who was a lot more sociable. They day when the decision was made, a bunch of my superiors came to me and apologized that they couldn't make enough pull for me to get it, and that they really appreciated my work. I incidentally separated after 3 years because I wanted to go to school (they had the Force Shaping program going), and was awarded two Achievement medals in my short stay (no deployments).

So in all, you can keep to yourself and still be recognized for good work. Just don't expect to get the political rewards (again, like BTZ).

PS: I would NOT talk to any military doctor (or counsellor) about your suspicions unless you want to get out. They will tell you when you get to your duty station, confidentiality is VERY different in the military medical system.

well why couldnt you continue your military career just because of aspergers? is your coordination good? or no?

Don't tell and don't get an official diagnosis. They could kick you out.

Just try to learn the rules. Follow them about as much as everyone else. You don't have to be really really nitpicky like going on and on about how some people have two desserts. Just try to follow the safety rules and rules like saluting etc.

I only have trouble with some people telling me to do things that are wrong while they are being sarcastic -- which is stupid. I tell the officer in charge. Officers are not likely to tell you to do something stupid anyway. So make sure you know who is supposed to be giving you orders.

The social bits -- Just go to the mess with a group, tag along. You can just sit there and watch them while they all get drunk and act stupid. If you stay in your room all the time and read alone, they look down on that.

I wouldnt tell them you have aspergers unless its a formal diagnosis, and they ask. Also if its forces shrinks who look at you, rather than civilian, they wont want to diagnose something that means a medical discharge. The cost of replacing you is too high in most cases.

Ive experienced this in the Royal Navy. They dont want to diagnose you with anything that leads to discharge if they think they can patch you up back to a working standard again.

I have not been diagnosed yet, but I have been reading Attwood and Lovett's books and there is a lot of aha momnents. My happiest time was being in the Air Force. I felt very secure cause I knew the rules and I had the chain-of-command. I did have a lot of anger issues when airman did not follow the rules. I was a medical corpsmen and did very well. I got out cause they would not re-train me into graphic design.
Don

I am just curious... since my fellow americans already are thanking you for defending us...

Are you in the US Air Force? Is just that I read your posting and cannot find any indication that you mean you are in the USAF; just Air Force Tech School. Is the US the ONLY one that has something called "Tech School" for the Air Force?
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And in regards to "Asperger's related problems"... those of us that I have known, don't even realize that we have a "problem" until other people tells us so. Actually, I don't have "problems" with the AS; I cannot afford to have problems with myself

My five years in the Navy was time well-spent, even though much of that time was spent depressed for all sorts of stupid reasons. In some ways, the military can be okay for Aspies in that it isn't all about making friends and having fun, which is something I was never good at. If you can get really focused on your job, then you can do well and get rewarded for it. When you get to the point where people start working for you, well, I didn't stick around long enough to experience that, thankfully. Like I said, just focus on your job. It's pretty much all that keeps me going now.