Should a Learning Disability be a Military Draft Exemption?
Thursday, January 27th, 2005
If we go back to a military daft by lottery rather than an all volunteer army, will we have the same set of exemptions we had during the Vietnam war?
You could get out of the draft during much of the war in Vietnam by:
1. Being a student enrolled full-time in college
2. Being a conciencious objector with a proveable history of religious and moral opposition to participating in war
3. Leaving the country and changing citizenship (Canada and Sweden are full of Vietnam draft dodgers)
4. Having a medical issue that affected your ability to perform military duties.
The medical exemption is an interesting one in that certain disabilities fall under its umbrella.
Would a learning disability like dyslexia or ADD/ADHD make a person exempt?
What about having a learning disability gets in the way of performing military duties?
Not being a good auditory learner?
Being oppositional?
Not being able to read?
Being fidgety?
I find this topic fascinating in that if “LD” became a way out, I think parents who did not want their kids to serve would flock to get their kids classified much as they do now for accomodations on the SAT.
Rank and LD
Military colleges (West Point, Annapolis) do not accept “flagged” SAT scores. In other words, if you have an accomodation on the SAT you cannot submit those scores to many or all military colleges.
So, what does this mean given the above question?
People classified as LD who serve in the military will serve in ranks below officer unless they serve long enough to work their way up from the inside.
Starting out at officer level by means of attending a military college is off limits to people who use their learning disability as a way to get accomodations and services.
If a draft were started up again, independent of one’s views of the war in Iraq or how we got into it, what would it mean, if anything, to students and young adults with learning disabilities?
ADD has been created by watching too much TV and not healthily channeling our energy. People with ADD can still interact with others and learn how to shoot a gun. You don’t need to be practicing a religion to not want to kill people (in refrence to conciencious objectors)
“You don’t need to be practicing a religion to not want to kill people”
Amen.
my name is Marquis, I have a learning problem, I just tried to get in the Marnies. I failed the test, I can’t help that I have a learning problem,
I want to help the chaplin out in the Marines, I feel I will never pass the written examanation!
But I’m very athletic I want have a problem with the physical part.
Can someone tell how a person with my problem can get in the Miltary! to help the chaplin!
so I can pray for the troops!
I’m amazed the military won’t take you these days; they seem to be taking a lot of people. However, you do need basic literacy skills to pass the test. Have you looked into getting a tutor to help you? Would the Marines give you a practice test to take home and work on? A tutor and a practice test should help a lot.
Apparently if our kids announced they were learning disabled AND gay, they’d be rejected in a heartbeat. I may have my hetero son do just that if they bring back the draft.
This is a very interesting topic. I, myself, am a 21 year old woman who has completed two years of community college while working 30 hours a week at a retail store. In addition to this, I have a learning disability affecting mathematics, as well as my visual-motor skills, and listening comprehension skills. I have considered joining the United States Coast Guard Reserves,(to help put me through the rest of college) but I am afraid I will not pass the mathematics portion of the ASVAB, (you’re talking to someone who only scored a 280 on the Math SAT I.!) as well as have a problem handling weapons during basic training. Anyone have any thoughts?
I ave a learning disability I need more time on the asvab all through high school and college I can have all the time i want to take any test will they give me extra time cause of my disablity
Laura, be careful, your coast guard stint, should you get it, could easily put you in Iraq. If that’s where you want to be no problem but if not, be very careful.
I have an interest in pursuing a career in the military; However, I have a learning disability. Will the military allow me some extra time on the ASVAB, and will this hinder me in achieving the rank of officer?
I don’t know, have you asked at a recruiting office? I’m sure to get the extra time you’ll have to state that you have the learning disability although my guess is there are enough people with LD in the military so that there should be little if any descrimination. But, I really don’t know and I’d recommend calling or walking into a recruiting office and asking.
Hello my name is Andre I’m stationed at naval station Greatlakes hospital corps scool and I have LD and I have learned to work with it. I have been in the military (NAVY SUBMARINE FORCE) for 18 years and it has been gerat. I will retire from the Military in two years, I will start a new life and live on just as I always have. I don’t think about being LD I think I’m just like every one els. Some pepole are more smarter than others can’t be the smartest person all the time. I guess what I’m tring to say is don’t think LD think smart and just go do it!!!!
Andre, absolutely. That’s some of the best advice I’ve seen in a long time.
“Don’t thnk LD, think smart.”
Love it man. Thanks.
Its funny what the first post said about Tv Making kids have ADHD, I am 46 and I have ADHD always have so has the rest of my family and now my two sons also have ADHD and Learning disabilitys (Auditory Processing Disorder) My sons Teacher wrote on the report card, ” He cant focus to save his life” I wouldnt want him in a fox hole next to me , that is for sure.
But, they both are the kindest, nicest kids you will ever meet, Not a mean bone in their bodies.
The drugs they use for ADD and ADHD are narcotics (Ritilan) that is what i think the problem would be if they where in the military?
Sharon
I hope I’m NEVER in a foxhole but if I were, there’s a few people I know who do have learning disabilities and/or ADHD that I absolutely would want near to me, watching my back. Here’s the thing (in my opinion). The variability of individual differences among people with learning disabilities is probably as great as those without LD. I’m sure that there are individuals with LD that would have a hard time with certain aspects of learning military life. But I for one wouldn’t want to see it as an exclusionary category.
If we need military forces, then there are probably too many men and woman who would make great, ethical and talented soldiers who might not get to serve and protect, just because they happened to have LD.
well you know I got something to say I have a learning disability as well. It bother me that I wanted to get into the Navy and one of the Naval officers said to me that I couldn’t cause I had a learning disability and I wanted to work from the bottom up.. I have PDD/NOS which pervasive Development/Not Otherwise specisfied Disorder.. and anyway I was so down and very hurt.. Because my weakest subject is math.. and I am very smart, and very intelligent when it comes to academeics and other things.. it just bother me that they won’t give us people with any type of disability a chance to serve in the either of the 4 divisons.. I just wish if we could pass the test that they would except us.. I tried to get in and they told me no.. but I won’t give up.. and I also feel for you people that have learning disabilities and other types of disabilities I know I have one as well as I said already in the previous paragraph.. It’s just I wish things were different… and I think this a terrific topic that is being discussed I just wish somebody of the 4 divisons with high authority could do something about it. well I read some of the topics and I agree with what they are saying in them… I am a go getter so I would have no problem acheiving my goal as wanting to go in the Navy or any division… well goodnight..
I have a learning disability and I tried to get into the navy and they said no to me and I actually talked to a recruiting officer and I was so unhappy.. I just wish they would give me a chance because I am very smart.. I wish something could be different and changed and I feel ya people that have disabilities I wish the people that have disabilities that they would actually give us a chance to show them that we can do it.. I am go getter and I have no problem achieving my goal..I found high school very hard but I did it.. but I was shot down by the navy when they said no.. I am a very intelligent person.. and I am very smart as well, bright.. very motivated to learn but they don’t want to give me a chance… I hope things change for the better… I am very interested in this topic. If I could get in the navy I would’ve wanted to something with computers I’m very good at that and other much more…
to you guys that have learning disabilites think that you can over come it because you can and don’t let anybody tell you differently…
I am 23 and have been in the Army for 5 yrs I am a Specialist and I also have a job as a 25 U. I work with everythig from computers to radios. i was identified as having a LD when I was in 1st grade. I have succeeded and have been to Iraq twice. I do not believe that having a LD should keep you out of anything. Check out LTC Taylor Beattie he is a LTC in the Special Forces and here is his story
www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=552 (just copy and paste this into your browser window then hit enter) If he and I can succeed then anyone with a LD can. I still get help with mine from time to time from my military counselor and NCO’s and family.
SO DON”T PUT YOURSELF OUT OF AN OPPORTUNITY B/C OF WHAT SOME ELSE TOLD YOU!!!
Have a HOOAH Day.
SPC Van Buren
Karen,
I dont’ think claiming your son/daughter will keep them out. Many of my friends that have a learning disablity serve this country. Secondly, when people say they have a disablity or have a disablity and use it to get out of something they can do. It makdes it harder for people who need accomadtions to get them.
I have a source that says you can’t enlist in the military if you verbally identify that you have a LD. Also you can’t use accomodations on your entrance exam. Does this mean that it is pretty much “dont ask, dont tell”?
-confused??
Mr. Pink. I’ve not heard of this and I doubt it’s true. I’m not sure about the accommodations but I’m pretty sure that many people in the military have various kinds of leaning issues. Only one way to find out: call an army recruiter and ask.
4. Having a medical issue that affected your ability to perform military duties.
The medical exemption is an interesting one in that certain disabilities fall under its umbrella.
Would a learning disability like dyslexia or ADD/ADHD make a person exempt?
What about having a learning disability gets in the way of performing military duties?
This surly depends on the extent of the disability. Some people with minor LD might actually want to join the military and of course be dam good at what they do.
Discrimination could in my view happen on both sides, firstly by being refused the option and secondly deined it. Not an easy one to call but i’m guessing it would be done very much on an individual level.
I have LD and I have been in military for over 9 years. For those who are trying to get into any service, it’s the simple “OVER COME & ADAPT” style. Get help, work hard and continue to work hard! Take the ASVAB test again and you will be fine. Once your in the service don’t let LD be the determining factor of your life nor should you express it in public. Just work hard!
Fantastic Rio. I think your advice is good for anyone with LD doing anything, in the military or out.
Thanks for taking the time to share it.
We have a 18 year old grandson living with us, he wishes to join the Navy when he graduates in 2009. He has ADHD on medication and under control. Medadateis the medicine he is taking. Would this stop him getting into the Navy?
Doris: I don’t know the answer to that question. Best to call a local Navy recruiter.
im 22 and i have a ld problem i just passed the asvab been studyin for 5 years now i took the test 4 times first i scored a 3 then a 7 then a 11 and lastweek i passed it with a 31 now im just waiting on if my diploma will get me in. its a occupational diploma from bein in a slow class. i graduated but i did not get the diploma everyone else got. i passed the asvab for the marines the marines would not take my diploma thats not right i passed the test and i graduated as well but still cant im not giving up im hopein the army will take me. does anyone know if the army or navy will take my diploma
Doris asked:
We have a 18 year old grandson living with us, he wishes to join the Navy when he graduates in 2009. He has ADHD on medication and under control. Medadateis the medicine he is taking. Would this stop him getting into the Navy?
As far as I am aware, he has to be off of the medication for at least 3 years and showing that he is coping by other methods, I saw a program about the very same thing the other day, this was rules of the UK navy, not sure were you are but i’m thinking it would be the same.
Hi Im writing to say that I would like join the army. I’ve been blessed with a learning disability I have difficulty with mathematics. but I can hold down a job and I work well with others so Ive been told . However my struggle is the higher education and when I look into other options like the military I don’t qualify.
However it has been drummed into me over the years by that I have to make a certain amount to live.
I feel as though why should I struggle just to make a living just because I was born with something not of my doing.
Love: you haven’t told us why you were rejected from the military. What part of the qualifying exam did you not do well on?
No one should tell people like us with L.D that we can’t join and fight for this country are family. a test should not stop us from doing that we are Americans and deserve to help protect what we love and I love America and I just wanna help fight for it God bless us all.
Jason: I partly agree with your sentiment. However, some people have a learning disability that makes it hard for them to follow directions and that puts an extra burden on the military. If the military was set up to accommodate many different learning styles it would be easy to accommodate everyone, but it’s really not.
But, I do agree that if someone can’t serve in the regular military, there should be some other kind of public service they could do to make a contribution.
This greatly depends on so many factors that I cannot even fathom why it’s being debated. Which learning disability are we considering? At what severity? You cannot just say “learning disability.” You have to pick one and its level of severity. There’s a huge difference between someone with ADD and another person with Autism. I have ADD and auditory processing disorder, and although I would greatly prefer not to join the army, I am positive that my learning disorders are no excuse not to be drafted. You don’t have to be a genius to pull the trigger…
Dear What???: Autism and even severe mental retardation weren’t considered learning disabilities when I posted this question in 2005. At that time, ADD, ADHD and what used to be called dyslexia were all considered learning disabilities and that’s what I was talking about when I asked the question.
Many people with learning issues that affect their ability to follow directions might have a tough time in the military where following directions is what you must do to stay alive.
The reason I posed the question in the first place was to see what people thought about calling these “learning issues” disabilities. If we ever had a draft again (I lived through a draft during the Vietnam era) how “disability” is defined would be very meaningful.
Actually, you do have to be able to think and follow directions to know when to pull the trigger. I would hope so anyway.
Thanks for your help it just hard for me when you see all my freinds go to basic and come back in there uniform all my life I wanted to be a soldier it brakes my hart that a test can tell me no. Any ways god bless all and the men and women who are in. And hope some day we can over come this and fight for this great country that I love and care for so much. Whooaaaaa
I am a CI Special Education major right now and married to a Navy recruiter. I am doing a project on this very issue: What LD issues the military will work with, what other options do those who cannot join the enlisted part have, etc. First of all, I understand why there are rules about qualification for the military, trust me, I hear them every night when my husband gets home. BUT I also think that we could be losing out on some beneficial people who have had to have accomodations through grade school. Its a very hard debate because in time of crisis I hope the person next to my husband can react and do as trained quickly. BUT in some of these posts people are using the words “retarded” and dumb and I think these need to be stricken from our language. They are a negative way of describing a disability and very outdated.
I think the best advice comes from those who are currently serving in the military and do recognize themselves as having an LD. Set a goal and try to get to it! There are many people who have taken the ASVAB who do not have an LD and fail and have to take it again. Educate yourself on the logistics of the qualification process and just do it!!
Navy Wife: All good points. When one’s life depends on others following directions and orders, you might not want someone covering your back who, for no fault of their own, has a tough time with these things.
Some people with mild learning issues can and no doubt do serve well in the military. As learning issues like ADHD become more severe it would seem to me that some aspects of military life might be tough. I hope someone does some research on people already enlisted because there are no doubt plenty of LD soldiers on duty right now.
It also might be that the structure of military life is exactly what many people with learning issues need and in that structure they flourish. Again, I don’t know the answer to this but I’m curious to learn more.
I was wondering if you know if mild auditory processing disorder is considered a learning disability that will result in not being qualified to join the military. My son has it, takes no medication, and his only “disability” is that he is not very talkative and needs spell check when writing. He actually seems to excell in emergency situations and has almost finished his eagle scout and has earned his black belt in karate. Is there anything that you would recommend that he do to increase his chances?
Kim: I’m pretty sure there is a multi part process to recruitment, the first is an interview with a recruitment officer which is an informal screening, the second is a physical. I doubt there’s anything he’d have problems with in either. Each service is different though so he might not qualify for every job in every service but no doubt he’d get in.
The easiest way to find out would be to ask one of the local recruiting officers in your city or town and see.
sorry for reposting this i thougth wanted to gramer and add a few things also annor my frist post plaese
hello i am 25 year old man with somewhat severe case of ADHD which i had for most my life and try to get in to the U.S.. military and failed i had asvab score of 13 that to low to get in to any thing
but i have question did any try to sue department of defense for not complying with Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
also a international law issue has considered the treaty that bans child soldiers also ban mentally disabled soldiers
yes myself like most other with a people learning disability don’t think them selves has mentally disabled but terms mean in difrent things in difrent cultures say the USA went with a nation that considers all learning disabilities has a mentally disabled and perform some thing like the Nazi h4 program of eugenic killing of mentally unfit how thay(the Nazis) called it
what would happen a to p.o.w. (prisoners of war) with a learning disability in that case
also some nation like north Korea use has propaganda against the U.S. they would say we has nation have no respect for international law
the only way to have people like us serve is basically the plot line to red drawn or we form our own militia and we go on a hungry strike until president Obama federalizes it
also I watched a frontline on vets from the current Iraq war most had pdsd if you add that with other mental illnesses that most learning disabled people have like Depression , Bipolar disorder and Schizophrenia just say that dose not make a pretty picture
Okay, What if you pass the ASVAB and you have a LD, what would be a good MOS to pick? What I mean by good MOS is one that is little paper work and based on your skills! There is School you have to go too called AIT for your MOS. I have a LD and I have been a Automotive Tech (A Tech) for over 10 years and I am very good at my job, everyone I work with does not know I have a LD (Reading). I have all my ASE Certification for Automotive. I would like too join the Army and go in the job I have now but for the Army. Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic would be perfect fit for me but I am worried about AIT because of my reading problem and school is where people will find these out and I don’t now if they will have me read something out loud at anytime and then I will look like a big ass and they my want too kick me out then. Hell, I will take a cleaning toilets job if the AIT is easy and It will help me stay in the Army. For Vietnam will my father was in the Army then and he has a LD problem and they took him in the Draft but I don’t think they knew he had a LD and also he was put on a safer base because he was the last person to carry the last name of my family at that time because I was not born but with LD and the last person of my family too carry the last name they still took him! Now it is not Vietnam and no Draft so the Mil will be very pick about who they take but if there is a Draft then you are just as good as the next guy!
James: You have an excellent and legitimate question and my first advise is to find a local recruiter who you trust and sit down in the privacy of their office and ask them the same questions about reading.
The problem with this is that many recruiters are like salespeople and they’ll tell you its not a problem when it might be just to get you to sign up. You need to talk with one or someone who will give you the straight dope and let you know if you’re in for humiliation or not.
I’m guessing that you’ll be okay but you have the right attitude. Don’t sign up until you have your questions answered to your satisfaction.
Thanks for posting, let me know what you find out.
im 19 and wanna join the navy but i have a learning disabiliy,, i’m scared to ask a recruiter about it and being unhappy.. it sucks ppl like me cant have chance, math and english are my weak side but fitness strongest side, idk what to do.. i also have a pin in my hip im scared about that..
It’s a tough one Marissa. From what I can tell, if you push in the right way, you can get extra time on the The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
However, getting that accommodation will disqualify you from serving.
Seems absurd. The reasoning I hear about goes something like this: “You wouldn’t get extra time on the battlefield.” Though no expert on the military I would imagine that the demands of the ground, day to day work and particularly the battlefield wouldn’t involve fast reading and writing (at least for NCO’s).
It appears that the military gets an exception from the ADA. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, the idea of denying someone who wants to serve in the armed forces because of certain learning disabilities seems short-sighted.
I would suggest seeing whether you can get ASVAB sample tests from previous years. You might see that the demands are easy enough for you to pass without accommodations.
Good luck.