Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 5/23/2010

Question
My son is a very intelligent young man that was diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school. He graduated from high school and wants to join the military. His reading ability is ok but his spelling and writing skills are quite weak. He has been attending a community college but he wants to join the army. Realistically what are his chances of being accepted and could he be successful in this career?

Answer
I'm going to cut and paste a portion of Army Regulation 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness:

"Current or history of academic skills or perceptual defects (315) secondary to organic or functional mental disorders, including, but not limited to dyslexia, that interfere with school or employment, are disqualifying. Applicants demonstrating passing academic and employment performance without utilization or recommendation of academic and/or work accommodations at any time in the previous 12 months may be qualified."

OK What I interpret this to mean is that your son will have to demonstrate that he can learn and work normally in order to join.  He will also have to apply for a waiver and they will take his medical history and any issues concerning his dyslexia into account. I can't give you a percentage chance on his being accepted because it will all depend on how severe the military doctors perceive your son's dyslexia to be.

If he is accepted it is the same thing: however hard he works and however little he lets his issues impede his job performance will determine how far he advances. Unless he is trying to get into a highly technical field, he should have no problems being successful.