Military service question that I am afraid to ask my CO?

Question

I am an adult serving in the military. I am afraid to ask this question, because I fear I may end up being discharged under medical regulations. My daughter has been diagnosed with severe autism. I am about 90% sure I am also autistic. I want to go through the evaluations and diagnosis process so that we can participate in a research program to find the genetic markers for autism. However if this will affect my military service eligibility, I do not want to put my family in that situation.

My question is, does anyone know the regulations regarding active duty military servicemen and autism? This is not something I was aware of on enlisting. I have always just thought I was "awkward" and lacked social intelligence. I thought my affinity for mechanical workings was a talent, not a sign of an underlying condition. Even my hearing hearing and "set routines" was just "the way I am" until recently. This is not a case of "fraudulent enlistment". I just don't want to sacrifice all of the help I need for a study that someone else can participate in.

I think a diagnosis would provide closure to me for a lot of things, but it is not worth jeopardizing my career.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

There are plenty of people that "hide" medical issues, so you're not alone.

If you were diagnosed with a medical issue that is disqualifying, yes you would end up separated from the military.  You would not lose any benefits you have already earned, such as if you have already met the requirements for a GI bill.  But you couldn't earn any more benefits either.  You'd also lose any medical benefits for your child, which can be a huge thing for a special needs child.

Is your rate or MOS something that you can safely do with this condition without any possibility of endangering your shipmates?  If so, keep your mouth shut.  If you're EDU or something, you might be putting your team at risk and you want to evaluate that.

I knew lots of people with 18 or 19 yrs in that suffered bad backs and such through the last couple years constantly eating ibuprofen so they could retire.

Daniel · Answer

Start digging into the regs for your service on medical qualifications for continued service.  You might be able to ask a doctor without bringing up the subject of you in particular possibly being autistic.  You are probably not going to get a definitive answer on this site.

Unless you go to a specialist and say 'I think I am autistic, please test me," no one in the military will ever test you for autism.  The only way they would find out is if you got yourself tested by them or by someone on the outside (and then potentially try to hide it).  Until a doctor says you are autistic, you are not.
I wouldn't bother trying to find out.  Your kid is better off with the medical benefits your service provides than whatever your participation in a study might reveal.

Anonymous · Answer

No. Don't tell them. I am in a legal job in the military. Do it on leave and with a civilian doctor and tell them not to put it on your records. But you can get adsep for mental and medical deficiency.

Mrsjvb · Answer

it will be worse for you career if you try and hide  it.

Military service question that I am afraid to ask my CO?

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