Joining the Army

Matthew said:

I'm really intent on joining but my diagnosis of autism is a problem. I'm tempted to try and get the diagnosis removed

Well that is a problem.

There is a reason the army discriminate against neurodivergents and that is because we are not reliable under the sort of pressure that battle situations can put you under. When it comes to a matter of life and death and you are huddled in the corner with a sensory meltdown from the explosions around you then you become a risk to others who are counting on you.

Trying to get the diagnosis removed in order to get the position is tantamount to fraud and puting your colleagues lifes in risk, so please don't do this.

It isn't all doom and gloom though - look at their policy:

https://british-army.career-inspiration.com/app/discussions/view/90233/what-is-the-recruitment-policy-for-people-with-autism

They will review it on a case by case basis, so if you really are low risk then you may well get in. I suspect they will have access to your medical records including notes of any changes made and a deliberate attempt to mislead them could lead to a criminal case agains you.

It is better to be honest than risk a potential conviction for lying to the army on your application.

Instead - look at what attracts you to the career. Is it the weapons, the uniform, travel, the exercise, the teamwork etc - work with these any you may find you are well suited to a different role.

Although it is difficult for me personally to see why the Army is appealing, I am glad that they now look on a case by case basis.  Whilst sensory overload, I can imagine, could be a major problem for some autistic people, that's not necessarily the case.  Some Autistic folk might be hypo rather than hyper sensitive, and as much as some panic in situations where an NT would not, the opposite is also true.  We are capable of being calm, logical, decisive and dispassionate in situations where NTs would be too overcome by emotion.  I know I've experienced that before in emergencies.

Apply anyway, be honest and let the Army assess.  If they won't take you are there other jobs of that ilk that you might be suited for, say Ministry of Defence civilian roles or the police?

Dawn said:

We are capable of being calm, logical, decisive and dispassionate in situations where NTs would be too overcome by emotion. 

I don't know if you have any experience of basic training, but their techniques are designed to break you to the point you become totally complient to command.

Someone showing resilience is typically targetted to find what their breaking point is and to push at this - and the result for an autist is likely to be much longer lasting than a neurotypical (ie meltdown has a lasting effect for us) so is likelt to result in them being found unsuitable for "conditioning".

I agree we may be better suited to some roles (eg drone pilot, sappers, back office roles etc) but the basic training still has to be navigated and the limits tested of the individual.

Caelus said:

people always try to break me even still, then they find they never get the same loyalty or compliance back again. they get eternal contempt and hate.

The army will only want recruits who will do exactly what they are told, when they are told and without questioning or complaining.

Their primary purpose it to die for the country if it is asked of them so having a recruit who may object to the foreign policy on a particular conflict is not going to be acceptable.

Likewise anyone who questions an order - I suspect you would be kicked out as you don't behave like a sheep.

There is no expectation of loyalty to the troops from further up the chain of command  - if you don't accept this then you have no place in the armed forces.

I don't think it is right but it is what they need to have an effective fighting force willing to die when ordered.

what if your just compliant without needing to be broken? lol

which to be fair i think i am... and then people always try to break me even still, then they find they never get the same loyalty or compliance back again. they get eternal contempt and hate.

This is true of the USMC and the US Navy Seals and some other elite milltary units, including but not limited to the French Foreign Legion - my cousin Sean joined the French Foreign Legion and every time he came home to Ireland on leave, he would still take out his uniform and iron it every single day, such was the discipline imposed 

This is true of the USMC and the US Navy Seals and some other elite milltary units, including but not limited to the French Foreign Legion - my cousin Sean joined the French Foreign Legion and every time he came home to Ireland on leave, he would still take out his uniform and iron it every single day, such was the discipline imposed