Royal Marines

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i'm currently 16 and still studying my gcse's at school, when I leave school i'm hoping to be a royal marines comanndo. people are always saying to me at school saying that i won't get in because i smoke and i get angry to easily, yet my behaviour has improved loads now i'm older. but another thing that is worrying me a bit is that i won't be allowed in because i have very mild aspergers??? if i don't get in i will be officialy gutted lol because i don't want to be stuck in some dead end job working in an office, i'm simply not like that! i like travelling places and love a challenge and the royal marines is the only job for me! i just hope that my aspergers doesnt prevent me from getting in! i've been trainig very hard also as i wake up (most nights!) at 5.30am and go running and i do circuit trainng in the evenings but all of that will of been for nothing if they don't let me in.


(some of you may notice that I posted this in the school and college bit but i thought i'd post it here so i would actually get a response!)

You should find out wherever the nearest recruiting office is and visit them. Tell them that's what you want to do and see what they say.

You would have to prove you are medically fit, like all candidates, and if there was some reason why Aspergers would affect a particular part of your role, they could potentially decline you. But I think mostly the medical test is about physical fitness. It's worth speaking to them over the phone initially, which you can do in confidence, without giving your details. Unfortunately, the armed services are not governed by the Disability Discrimination Act. But as far as I know, you aren't obliged to tell them you have Aspergers when you apply... however I might be wrong about that, so it's worth checking. Hope it goes ok for you.

Medical fitness includes both physical and mental fitness for duty. It is likely a matter of degree of impairment. If your AS does not present a signfiicant impairment, then there may be no reason to exclude you.

But to avoid disappointment, I would raise the subject sooner rather than later with people who can provide you with better information, like recruiters and your own physician. The recruiter should be able to provide you with the medical standards for admission, and you can then review these with your doctor.

They Do not want people with Asperger's.

'THEY" do want people with Aspergers.... 'they' just don't know it!

I have worked in/with the military for over 22 years, and have done 2 tours in Iraq doing IT support (first time as a worker bee, second in more of a supervisory role) and I THRIVED with folks with 'Aspy quirks'! Were they diagnosed? NO... I am 45, and had little visibility of the non-hard core autism ends of the spectrum until my son was found to have Aspergers.... guess what, I do, and the guys I rely on day in and day out would come up 'hot' if checked also.

Could you do any job offered, hardly! I started out in radar repair, and went though basic communications to get to IT. All my jobs were about making systems (not people!) work. People do stupid, random stuff, Electrons, gears, fluids and such are VERY consistent!

I am not a model 'Army guy' by any measure, I don't care much for the power structure, and thinking 'higher rank' = smarter. I have made it further than I might have by more dumb luck than any planning. If I had come in as a 'foot soldier', I wouldn't have lasted long. I wouldn't 'advertise' your Aspergers, but I would take the pre-placement exams, and talk to a recruiter. If you don't like his line (IE: he is looking to just meet a quota!), find another recruiter! With the Reserves, there are many jobs available, but you have to ask around. There are skills that fit, but you have to put up with a bunch of 'silly grunt stuff' at times too..

to ANYONE that thinks I am recruiting.... I got in to pay for school... and screwed up and got a full time job.... it's worked out for me.... LUCKY me! HAHAH!

I did that thing with Navy EOD school. Worst decision of my life.

I did not know i had asperbergs syndrome until i was finished with bootcamp.

Commando's are similar to pilots they need great hand eye coordination and not be stressed under HIGH PRESSURE.

Physically you can easily make it.

The instructors look out for people with mental diseases, most of them are nice but you WILL run into the people who will take it as their personal objective to FIX your condition

Commandoes are similar to pilots, divers and other PRESTIGE careers. With a poor career future in the long-term.

They are VERY prone to permanent Knee and back pain.

Saying you want to be a commando is like saying you want to be a good college basketball player.

10 people try usually 1-2 makes it through.

Do you really want to run around with gun and shoot innocent people?

Asperbergers have their place in every institution but should generally avoid front line work in military, police and prisons in my opinion.

Special Forces do not need to be intelligent, they need to be strong, stupid, and submissive to run up the hill and get their head blown off.






An older guy in the candidate program had a financial degree and told me I would probably have a much better chance in a finance or accounting career.

I have heard about 1/10 people in accounting, finance or information technology have Asperbergers to some extent.

We are a minority too, and minorties tend to look out for each other.

To be honest, I wouldn't quickly assume that was all for nothing. You worked hard to maintain good physical health and got yourself into some good healthy habits. And if it's keeping you in good fit and it helps you in the long run in the way that you believe it will help you if you made it into the [Royal] Marines (such as being prepared for boot camp), then I would think you're set for life and that you should continue if you do not get accepted.
As much as I don't watch these types of shows, I had to see a segment on Dr. Oz where he was on a farm speaking to an old man who was 100+ and still getting down on his knees and picking the fields. Dr. Oz himself said that guy was healthier than he would ever be. The trick is to keep busy, the man said.

Back to the original topic, I would still try. Assuming that you initially get in, just keep your head down and follow orders. If they say jump off a bridge, then to infinity and beyond!! (not literally, as I don't wanna cause your death) If they say something about anything that could be related to your AS, make a case for yourself. If they still want to discharge you, ask for a position where you'll belong easier and something that you could obviously handle.

Just be careful in the interview. As I said, the whole key might be to at least get your toes in the water.

Good luck, I'm rooting for you!!

Do it, I heard that you'v got to be free of medication (for aspergers or mental) for 3 years.

David Sterling (founder of the SAS) suffered from migraines, thought diferently from the other officers, even going against them all to form the SAS, he had a severe migraine on a blowy up mission, and was led to safety by an oppo.

I was a navy medic, based at commando training centre royal marines, key is dont give up, take everything they throw at you, and with a smile on your face say, any more? thats what they want to hear, its all about attitude.

If you dont do rock climbing, start, pull ups over hand a must.

Good luck