Aspies and the draft

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janicka
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13 Apr 2007, 9:58 am

parts wrote:

Flagg wrote:

I'd leave the country.

That is what I guess kids of the rich will do and get citizenship somewhere else then come back as resident aliens.

Or if you already have ties to another country, you don't necessarily have to be rich. If I really wanted to, I could start anew in the Czech Republic for basically the cost of a plane ticket plus maybe another $100 to have identifying paperwork from the U.S. translated and the cost of filing the paperwork for repatriation.

I actually have thought about this, and if Bush refuses to cede power in 1/09 (which I think is possible), I will drive to Canada - Toronto or Montreal - and hop a direct flight to Prague. I actually live closer to Mexico, but Canada is better for a direct point of transit to Prague.

AdrianB
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14 Apr 2007, 12:43 pm

Griff wrote:

Are you kidding? It's an aspie heaven! Most aspies would love it. The strict routines, the seriousness with which everything down to the tiniest detail is treated, the demand for orderliness, the clear designation of social rank, the demand for mechanical skill, the focus on repetitive exercises, and the outright scorn for extensive social banter fits very neatly with aspie mentality. Furthermore, aspies would fare excellently in combat because one of the classic symptoms of Asperger's is a willingness to put oneself in risky situations. If we were to get into another world war and were forced to reinstate the draft, an open-minded military would put out leaflets calling for Aspies and those who fit the cast to put themselves first in line.

You're absolutely right!
The only thing i don't understand the reason behind it is the following: "Furthermore, aspies would fare excellently in combat because one of the classic symptoms of Asperger's is a willingness to put oneself in risky situations."
Could you or anyone else possibly explain why this would be so?

vandire
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14 Apr 2007, 1:16 pm

I've considered joining the military before - The idea of a stable, efficiently managed job that accomplishes something is attractive.

On the other hand, I find it nearly impossible to focus if I'm around more than 2 or 3 people at the same time, and stuff like misplaced sand, dirt and messy clothing drives me insane.

So, overall I reached the conclusion that the military is probably not the career for me, and I would certainly try to avoid being drafted into it, with the sole exception of a REAL "do-or-die, they really are going to kill us all if they can" type war, which seems unlikely.

kt-64
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14 Apr 2007, 8:37 pm

I;m against the draft, but if the war comes over here. I will take up arms to defend my home and country.

DejaQ
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14 Apr 2007, 8:48 pm

I'd dodge (at least ceremoniously, if they don't draft Aspies).

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Anubis
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15 Apr 2007, 8:35 am

Heck ya, I'd love to be an Army or Navy officer. Don't think I'd do too good as a pilot, though.

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Griff
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15 Apr 2007, 10:17 am

AdrianB wrote:

You're absolutely right!

On second thought, one who stims badly would have trouble with formations, and it certainly wouldn't be the place for one who melts down easily.

Quote:

The only thing i don't understand the reason behind it is the following: "Furthermore, aspies would fare excellently in combat because one of the classic symptoms of Asperger's is a willingness to put oneself in risky situations."
Could you or anyone else possibly explain why this would be so?

I am sorry, but I may have listed this as a "classic symptom" without having the authority on which to say so. To my memory, though, aspies don't respond to danger in the same way as most people.

jimservo
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15 Apr 2007, 1:03 pm

I, for a time had a strong interest in joining the military. I now realize I would have been a disaster.

Disqualifications, and keep in mind that many disqualifications remained even during the Second World War (a time we didn't know as much about these areas):

Quote:

Disorders with psychotic features

The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are disorders with psychotic features.

Neurotic, anxiety, mood, somatoform, dissociative, or factitious disorders

The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are a history of such disorders resulting in any or all of the below:

a. Admission to a hospital or residential facility.

b. Care by a physician or other mental health professional for more than 6 months.

c. Symptoms or behavior of a repeated nature that impaired social, school, or work efficiency.

Personality, conduct, and behavior disorders

The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:

a. Personality, conduct, or behavior disorders as evidenced by frequent encounters with law enforcement agencies, antisocial attitudes or behavior, which, while not sufficient cause for administrative rejection, are tangible evidence of impaired capacity to adapt to military service.

b. Personality, conduct, or behavior disorders where it is evident by history, interview, or psychological testing that the degree of immaturity, instability, personality inadequacy, impulsiveness, or dependency will seriously interfere with adjustment in the Army as demonstrated by repeated inability to maintain reasonable adjustment in school, with employers and fellow workers, and with other social groups.

c. Other behavior disorders including but not limited to conditions such as authenticated evidence of functional enuresis or encopresis, sleepwalking, or eating disorders that are habitual or persistent occurring beyond age 12, or stammering of such a degree that the individual is normally unable to express himself or herself clearly or to repeat commands.

d. Specific academic skills defects, chronic history of academic skills or perceptual defects, secondary to organic or functional mental disorders that interfere with work or school after age 12. Current use of medication to improve or maintain academic skills.

e. Suicide, history of attempted or suicidal behavior.

(source)

Stevo_the_Human
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17 Apr 2007, 11:22 am

I remember what a friendly NT (It may seem surprising to you guys, but they do exist! Well, at least one exists...) told me to "capitalize on their ignorance." This was during a conversaion where she told me that I could get a scholarship for being autistic, but I would refuse (Hey, tuition money is tuition money. I plan to lie that I'm gay to some people for a scholarship.) If tehy want to keep Aspies out of the draft, let them. We won't get killed for selfish reasons of people currently in office, and the Aspies would become fruitful throughout the nation. This ignorance will be an act of Darwinism that would help Aspies, so shhhhhh! Don't tell them!

kt-64
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17 Apr 2007, 4:09 pm

Great just what we need is an aspergian hitler

Didymus
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19 Apr 2007, 9:05 pm

In terms of voluntary enlistment:

I think Aspies should serve if they want to.

In terms of a draft:

I think Aspies should serve if they can.

Why should a non-Aspie go to defend the country that we share with them while we claim a medical excuse?

Additionally, if we try to use our diagnosis as an excuse not to serve because we are simply too chicken to get maimed or killed...and we succeed...what if the guy (or gal) that serves in our lace gets maimed or killed? I would not want that on my conscience for the rest of my life.

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Xan
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22 Apr 2007, 9:03 am

i hate folks ordering me around wouden`t fit inn at all.

TheMachine1
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23 Apr 2007, 3:44 pm

http://www.scpnet.com/paper2_2.htm

Quote:

There is no doubt that 'Stonewall' Jackson met the criteria for Asperger's disorder which gives the individual enormous handicaps in terms of social relating and empathising with other individuals but can be enormously beneficial for a leader as is shown by Jackson in his leadership of his army. He met all Szatmari's et al. (1989) except missing one additional item under the heading of odd speech for which historical data is not available. Because he was a Professor in the Military Academy and studied battles and war throughout his life he was better prepared for the American Civil War than any other military general. This extreme focus on a single topic can have enormous benefits and it is probably impossible for anyone to produce work of true genius without this exclusive focus.

snake321
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23 Apr 2007, 5:03 pm

I'd refuse to fight for a nation of people who devalue me (and I believe that would be any nation on earth). I was on my way into the military before I was diagnosed at the age of 21, I went through boot camp. It is difficult for aspies, trust me. having to stay organized, constantly paying attention to drill instructions when there are hundreds of people standing between you and the drill instructor, sharing a barracks with over 200 people, the bullying.... Although I stood up to the bullying and I managed to kick this dude's ass. Of coarse I got a lock and sock party later on.
I'm becoming more and more militantly defensive over being an Aspergian, but it's largely because I have to take so much s**t from society. But I can't fight for someone who devalues me. Not unless it was an immediate threat upon our home soil, but that's more for my own benefit.

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