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David691

Joining a military service

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Hey guys,

 

I wanted to join the army but I was refused on grounds of my Asperger's Syndrome, I wasn't even offered a medical. :wallbash:

 

I have really mild AS, when I was young I was a little terror, but since I have gotten older it's worn off a bit, what with all the effects of maturing and all.

 

I've seen countless examples of people who have AS within a military service who have excelled in their jobs. (No doubt their either didn't know about their AS or they lied on their paperwork)

 

Can anyone offer any helpful advice? I've already initiated an inquiry with my local Conservative MP (They support the Army more than Labour or LibDems :P ) who has taken it up with the shadow Defence Minister and my medical details have been made available for all of parliament to see. :rolleyes:

I have also taken it up with my doctor and he has quoted a price of �400-�800 to see a specialist AS adviser to either try and un-diagnose me of AS (�800) or analyze my suitability for the army (�400). Which you've got to admit, is a pretty hefty price.

 

Thanks for any info you can provide!

Edited by David691

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Welcome David, I've no advice but sure others will. Does seem exceptionally harsh & possibly illegal to reject you out of hand. I could see that some military jobs might be difficult with AS but not all, surely?

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Thats really terrible. I know of someone with ASD who is currently serving in the Royal Marines and doing very well.

Can't offer any advice but really hope you manage to get it sorted and excel in whatever area you want to go into.

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Hey guys,

 

I wanted to join the army but I was refused on grounds of my Asperger's Syndrome, I wasn't even offered a medical. :wallbash:

 

I have really mild AS, when I was young I was a little terror, but since I have gotten older it's worn off a bit, what with all the affects of maturing and all.

 

I've seen countless examples of people who have AS within a military service who have excelled in their jobs. (No doubt their either didn't know about their AS or they lied on their paperwork)

 

Can anyone offer any helpful advice? I've already initiated an inquiry with my local Conservative MP (They support the Army more than Labour or LibDems :P ) who has taken it up with the shadow Defence Minister and my medical details have been made available for all of parliament to see. :rolleyes:

I have also taken it up with my doctor and he has quoted a price of �400-�800 to see a specialist AS adviser to either try and un-diagnose me of AS (�800) or analyze my suitability for the army (�400). Which you've got to admit, is a pretty hefty price.

 

Thanks for any info you can provide!

 

 

i would have thought that this goes against disability discrimination act....dont think its entirely legal...there are plenty of jobs within the armed forces that are as routine as a civilian job...i think that maybe going on operational tour might pose a problem for someone with AS...but that is only a might..not everyone is the same. personally i think that the structure of the armed forces might be an ideal situation for someone with AS..everyone knows what they are ment to be doing and when...

 

i think you did the right thing involving your mp...is there any reason why you have to disclose you have AS? my hubbie got refused entry to army 3 times..in the end he lied and got in and has been in ever since...he gets fantastic bi-annual progress reports...so whoever refuse him in the beginning was not justified in doing this as he has provedto be an excellent soldier...

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if you go to the army website..and look under careers there is a section that says which disabilities prevent a person from joining...AS is not one of them...maybe this is a technicality that your mp can use...

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Would seem like discrimination to me. Have you been told why they feel they have grounds to reject you due to your diagnosis? What concerns do they have? I spent sometime within the RAF. I did not know anyone who was on the spectrum, although in the days I was serving, you couldn't still serve if you were gay or pregnant, so things have moved on, thankfully. Even when my husband and I got married, we still could not be together in the same barrack block, without being charged. Good luck, don't give up!

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Hi David welcome to the Forum.I have had a look at the NAS website.Evidently the armed forces are exempt from the Disability Discrimination Act [DDA]1995 withregards to employment. :wallbash::wallbash: so it may not be illegal.

I hope that you are able to find somone who can challenge the decision for you.It might be worth contacting the NAS as they have a lot of experience in advising individuals on ASD related issues.They may also be interested in your experience .Karen.

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Hi David,

 

It might also be worth talking to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (which incorporates the old Disability Rights Commission) to get further advice on the law and your rights here.

 

They have a telephone and email advice service. I've used the email service and found it helpful.

 

Sorry - I can't access the website at the moment or I'd give you the link. I'll try again later.

 

K x

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Hey thanks for the feedback guys, what my MP said was that he thought that it was completely unfair and he would initiate inquiries. So the Conservatives have got my vote in future. ;)

 

I'll see what my MP can do and then take it further and further, I've got a couple of years to get this sorted anyway now because I have started 6th form. Being refused from the Army has been somewhat of a blessing as well as very upsetting at the same time, if I had been accepted then and not (hopefully) after my A Levels I would probably �16,000 worse off a year because I wouldn't be an officer. :P

 

I will look into the NAS as you suggested Karen, and again, thanks for all the information and support people! =)

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