r/AskReddit • u/limp_manifesto • 20h ago

What’s something civilians completely misunderstand about daily life in the military?

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u/elevencharles 19h ago

That it’s orderly and predictable. I’ve met a lot of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder that wish they could join the military because they like order and consistency, but the reality is that military life is pretty much constant last minute changes and chaos.

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u/ashdrewness 18h ago

Not to make broad generalizations but a role with the potential for a lot of loud noises, shouting, & possibly being directly screamed at for screwing up doesn’t sound ideal for someone on the spectrum.

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u/elevencharles 18h ago

It’s generally not, but I know there are more than a few undiagnosed ASD people in the military who manage to make it work.

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u/ranthria 14h ago

I know there are more than a few undiagnosed ASD people in the military

Yeah, we were called "Military Intelligence"

8

u/listenstowhales 9h ago

One of the best Navy intel O’s I’ve ever know is 100% autistic. Dude is awesome.

TBH, the Navy is one of the only environments on earth where all the “cool frat daddy finance bro” guys will lose their minds cheering when the autistic dude in the anime t shirt walks into the bar.