Government

Deaf Man Determined To Serve In Military Despite Disability

Deaf Man Determined To Serve In Military Despite Disability

(AP) Keith Nolan spent a decade applying repeatedly to the Army‘s Reserve Officers Training Corps’ program before the deaf man’s tenacity paid off and a commander finally let him audit the classes.

The Southern California high school teacher became a top performer in the ROTC program’s Bravo Company at California State University at Northridge, and his instructors were so impressed they let him wear a uniform. He was distraught when he turned it back in and said goodbye to the other cadets in May. He could advance no further under the military’s current policy that requires cadets pass a hearing test to be commissioned by the Army.

It was a stinging moment that burned in the soul of the bespectacled 29-year-old, who is determined to break that barrier and achieve his lifetime dream of working in military intelligence.

“All I really want to do is join the Army,” said Nolan, a confident, clean-cut man with a boyish face who signed to an interpreter in an interview at the university’s ROTC office. He was flanked by posters with inspirational messages urging people to join. “I want to do my duty, serve my country and experience that camaraderie, and I can’t, owed to the fact that I’m deaf.”

Soldiers with disabilities have been returning to active duty in increasing numbers due largely to the fact that medical advances today are ensuring more people survive serious war injuries. All branches of the U.S. armed forces over the past decade have started offering the opportunity for seriously wounded or disabled service members to remain on active duty by finding them jobs they can perform.

Today about 300 seriously wounded service members — some of whom have been blinded by blasts, lost their limbs or have severe head injuries — work in a variety of Army positions, and their work has been vital, especially in aiding other recovering troops, said Erich Langer, a spokesman with the Army’s Warrior Transition Command in Alexandria, Va.

Some have even returned to war zones.

“These cases help folks with disabilities across the board by opening more doors,” he said.

Nolan said their presence shows there is a place in the military for disabled people. He sees the military’s changing attitude as a window of opportunity that he hopes to pry open further so any deaf person — not just wounded combat troops — could be eligible to serve.

Nolan presented his story at a TEDx event in June, describing his story and aspirations:

Nolan, who was born deaf to deaf parents, has wanted to join the Army ever since he learned of the experiences of his grandfather and great uncles who fought in WWII.

His father, Kevin Nolan, successfully won a city council seat against a 20-year incumbent in Northhampton, Mass., and taught his son to defy the odds.

“My wife and I were very emotional about this,” Kevin Nolan said of Nolan’s ROTC participation, in a phone interview assisted by an interpreter. “We’re proud.”

Capt. Sid Mendoza, a training supervisor of the program at Northridge, said he had no idea Nolan was deaf when he saw his application online.

Once he met Nolan, Mendoza said he wanted to see if there was a way to give him military experience because he was so interested in the armed forces.

“At the beginning we weren’t sure how it was going to work,” Mendoza said.

But with the help of a deaf interpreter, Nolan excelled, Mendoza said. He showed up at 5 a.m. exercises even though he was not required to and despite initially straining to see the interpreter in the darkness, he immediately was able to follow the commands, and earned a perfect score in his military sciences class.

Mendoza said he learned sign language for the word “motivation” because Nolan’s interpreters used it so much when relaying to Nolan what people were saying about him.

“He definitely was one of our top performers,” Mendoza said.

Nolan said he was crushed when the course ended and he had to step aside as the other cadets were commissioned by the Army.

“When I gave my rucksack away to the cadet in the van — that was when it really hit me that it was over for me,” he wrote in his journal.

Mendoza said it was also hard on his fellow cadets, who are now second lieutenants.

“For all of us, it was really tough because we saw his enthusiasm to want more, but it’s outside of our control,” he said.

The office of Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., said the congressman plans to meet Nolan in the fall to continue to work on his behalf. Nolan wants Waxman to sponsor a bill allowing deaf people into the armed forces.

Nolan has sent an inquiry to the Army and is waiting for a reply explaining why he could not be commissioned. Waxman’s office said their inquiry to the Army got an “unfavorable” response but the congressman is still interested in seeing what he can do.

“I am looking forward to meeting Keith Nolan during his upcoming visit to Washington,” Waxman said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. “He is an exceptional young man, and he has raised a compelling issue that I believe is worth examining.”

Deaf Man Determined To Serve In Military Despite Disability

In the meantime, Nolan has been spreading the word to drum up support for his cause, speaking at universities and other public events.

More than 2,000 people have responded in support of his Facebook page, “Commission Cadet Nolan Now,” which features a picture of Nolan holding folded camys and a pair of Army boots as if he were joining.

Nolan traveled in 2010 to Israel where he met with 10 deaf military service members to document how they function in their jobs. The soldiers he met worked in everything from intelligence to dog training.

Deaf people are not drafted like other Israelis but can volunteer to serve and are deployed in noncombat positions, the Israeli military spokesman’s office said. Many people with disabilities volunteer as military service plays a central role in Israeli culture and is considered a rite of passage.

“Many were shocked to hear America does not accept disabled people in its military,” Nolan said.

Deaf people once served in the U.S. military too. During the American Civil War, more than a dozen deaf soldiers were in the armed forces.

History gives Nolan hope.

“I in no way want to degrade our military on the basis of disability or equality rights,” he said. “But, with the support that I have received from both civilians and military personnel as well as what I have learned from my research, I am convinced that there is a noncombat position that I can do in the military without harming our armed forces’ effectiveness and readiness.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Comments (95)

1 2
  • Anniebella10
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 10:55pm

    I hope one day this guy can serve in the military. My husbands been in the Army for 10 years and I’ve seen a lot as an Army wife. The military needs dedicated people who really have a love for their country and this man is it.

    Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 12:57am

      I see a need for one that can read lips especially if they learn a critical foreign language. He is an exception to the policy due to his extraordinary academic record.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • DarkFire
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 1:42am

      This guy has more heart and determination then alot of Americans. I hope he suceeds, on the other hand where is the ACLU or the AMDA for him. I’ll be waiting for the day when all Americans are truly treated equal, instead of a select minority getting pussed to the front of the line.

      Report Post »  
    • Bill in Texas
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 10:30am

      I don‘t see why they wouldn’t let him serve. When I was a Loadmaster I picked up a group of soldiers from Ft.Sill in OK. One has a compelling story about his last tour in Iraq. He was hit by an IED while traveling in a Humvee. He lost several friends along with his hearing. He was returning to Iraq for another tour in a different career field and this time with no hearing. God bless him.

      Report Post »  
    • J Chase
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 10:31am

      This is PC crap

      Report Post »  
    • Scaredfuzz
      Posted on August 23, 2011 at 11:45am

      @ Bill In Texas,

      You should know that the military wants 100% perfectly healthy people so they can screw them up (sarcasm intended). However, that being said the soldier you talked to was already in the military, had already been trained, IF he can still function in some manner as an asset to the military, I don’t have a problem with that, its just the military making full use of the people they already have. However, taking this man from the beginning as already impaired, versus a completely healthy and capable officer candidate is just foolishness.

      Report Post » Scaredfuzz  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 10:31pm

    If he’s good at intelligence analysis, then make him a GS-9. He CAN serve our great country!

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • woemcat
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 10:12pm

    if there’s a noncombat place for him to serve, i say, let him serve. there are so many people w/ disabilities on the government dole (welfare and/or SSDI) and he wants to work and serve his country. i applaud that. he’s proved his fitness, and there’s historical precedent, not to mention Israel’s military, who allows deaf people to serve in noncombat places (and they’re a reliable military to which we can compare, unlike some nations). so, if the armed forces can use him where his abilities and talents lie, why not utilize this young man who is willing and really wanting to serve?

    Report Post » woemcat  
    • Bum thrower
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 10:44pm

      Sorry; the military is the BIGGEST discriminator in the world; Suppose EVEERYONE wanted to be a jet pilot!! Great. Who is gonna fuel, maintain, arm, and all the mirad of tasks? You are in a wheel chair and want to be in the infantry; “motorized, or wheeled‘ infantry so you can be a ’wanna be’? The military is to defend this country, NOT make your wildest dreams come true!!

      Report Post »  
    • bboatmanable
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 12:46pm

      BUMTHROWER
      Yes, the military is the biggest discriminator in the world. Right now, I am a Military Training Instructor for the Air Force (Drill Sergeant) and while the initial logistics of it all would be a bit daunting, it certainly would be far less to overcome that have gays and lesbians in the same dorms as straight Trainees. If their is a NON-combat roll they can accomplish (and believe me, there are plenty in all services) then I would rather train someone who has the heart this young man does ANYDAY over some of the LAZY individuals who call themselves Americans that I have the distinct displeasure of training now.

      Report Post » bboatmanable  
    • Wingnut80
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 6:26pm

      Who pays for his interpreter? I admire his patriotism if not his common sense. The miltary purpose is to protect this country’s interests. There is no “right” to serve. For those of you who served remember this one? “Military needs come first”. As others have mentioned, where does it end? Quadraplegics with 24 hour/day orderlies to push them around. Its unlikely that the majority of individuals with significant disabilities could contribute enough to offset the extra required to compensate for those disabilities. Those who received their injuries in service to their country can be looked at on an imdividual basis.

      Report Post »  
  • RepubliCorp
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:14pm

    I wanted to be a rock star but I don’t play a instrument and I cant sing. Go figure

    Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • Ready2Rumble
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 9:16pm

      There always is the punk genre, where one doesn’t have to know how to play an instrument or sing – all one has to do is sneer and look menacing in leather ;)

      Report Post » Ready2Rumble  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:11pm

    I think its unbelievably noble of him wanting to serve, but I’m sorry – you have to be of sound mind and body to serve.

    Its like saying that a person with no legs is going to become a firefighter, I’m sorry, but certain jobs require your body to be in full working condition and being deaf is highly dangerous, they don‘t even let guys serve if their vision is impaired that if they were to loose their glasses and couldn’t see to a certain extent without them, its just a fact, sorry.

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • TheGreyPiper
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 8:07pm

    Ya know, I really can’t muster up a whole lot of sympathy for this guy, at least for his crusade to join the service. I am not a military veteran, but I spent a large part of my life as a merchant marine officer, on civilian cargo ships. A few years ago, my eyesight got so bad the Coast Guard said I couldn’t do my job any more. I had to quit my very-well-loved job of a lot of years because of near-sightedness and color-blindness. The only way I could have stayed working on ships would have been to start all over, literally at the bottom, scraping the bilges in the engine room, since vision standards for engineering personnel are less stringent than those for deck. So — sorry buddy. Get a job down at PBS doing hand signs for Sesame Street.

    Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
  • TheGreyPiper
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 8:01pm

    Yes, we know. Your post is off topic and nothing but an ad for your own website. You have been reported. Buy advertising like an honest businessman, don’t steal bandwidth!

    Can everyone pitch in and report this thief, and others as well? Thx.

    Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
  • furnatic
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:46pm

    Wow. You guys aren’t the brightest cookies in the world at all. The reason he cannot join isn‘t simply because he’s disabled. It’s because it impairs his ability to perform as a soldier. Just because you are put in supply or intelligence doesn’t mean you will never be put in a situation where you will be required to fight. Next, think of how much money would be required in order to cater to him. The last thing the military needs to do right now is spend money when it can barely pay those of us who ARE active. What’s next, allowing someone in a wheelchair to join the Marines for equality? Thinks these things through people.
    As for the guy who mentioned it being wrong to allow muslims in the military, you’re a grade A moron sir. I know of at least two shipmates who have served admirably DESPITE them being Muslims.
    You guys really need to drop this double standard crap. You’re worst than liberals, I swear.

    Report Post » furnatic  
    • twowarvet
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:52pm

      Agreed!

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:52pm

      My children both have celiac disease, which requires a special diet (as in most MRE‘s aren’t on it) so they can never serve. It saddens me a bit, due to the fact that my husband and I both served, but I have mixed feelings about it. I’m also slightly relieved. It was easy for me to serve in the cold war, so I wonder how my parents felt, did they have mixed feelings, too? If you can’t hear, and it can’t be corrected, you put not only yourself in danger, but those who depend on you. The wounded soldiers are being kept because they originally qualified, and they’re just finding ways to keep them. My dad didn’t get to serve during the Korean war because he had lost an eye in a motorcycle accident.

      Report Post »  
    • Lonescrapper
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:02pm

      But your argument doesn’t make sense… being in the military you can become disabled on the job and still have to function until your job is finished (battle, etc.). And you react as if all military jobs are in the middle of battle. That just isn’t the case. There are as many pencil pushers in the military as there are in your state government…

      Report Post » Lonescrapper  
    • Scaredfuzz
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 11:39pm

      I respect the man for wanting to serve, but having gone through medical screening to join, a medical screening to fly and just a yearly one to keep my job, and having seen buddies get washed out for the most miniscule things, I just can‘t support someone who doesn’t have one of his 5 senses wanting to join. Then you also look at the fiscal part, you have to hire 2 people for one persons job, and then how is he going to make it through basic training or the officer equivalent? He wants to join the army, well all soldiers are just that soldiers first and then their job second, every officer is expected to be able to pick up a gun and be able to lead a squad. Also to guarantee this man a position where he would never deploy just so he can serve? Seriously, that’s our job, its equivalent to training a firefighter and promising him he will never have to fight a fire, but the guys he works with will go everyday and risk theirs lives, or soldiers will deploy for 15 months at a time leaving their families. Sorry no, there are a lot of great civilian government workers and contractors that fulfill key rolls for the military, if he wants to serve his country that would be a great place for him.

      Report Post » Scaredfuzz  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 7:10am

      I almost didn’t get into the Navy in 1984 because I had “an abrasion” in my stomach. Luckily it got treated before it was an ulcer, because even a HISTORY of an ulcer will disqualify you. My first time around I flunked the eye exam, even though I was corrected to 20/20. I had to get a waiver for my eye sight. There are strict regulations. I was an Ocean Systems Technician Analyst who would never go to sea. It doesn’t matter what your job is. There are rules. I suppose you‘re all for the illegals coming into the United States because it’s a stupid law, they just want to work.

      Report Post »  
  • crypticguise
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:50pm

    I think he’s an exceptional young man, but terribly selfish. Makes me sad.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:26pm

      I think the Intelligence Service is missing out on a real asset .. if he can read lips he could definetly be of service .. and analizing computer information does not demand “hearing” .. It isn’t like handing a blind man a gun .. this is an exceptional young man who wants to serve his country. Sounds to me that he HAS proven his ability .. the Military is being too rigid … they need to “think out of the box”.

      Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:34pm

      I will take hard working deaf folks that are moral and have character and we can kick the sodomites out. Would be an excellent deal, and much better for the military as a whole. I bet it would cost a whole lot less also.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • Ready2Rumble
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:36pm

      Sounds like this guy is out to make a name for himself, write a book, and get a movie deal (maybe Matt DAY-MON can play him in the movie) in the process. What’s next – a blind person who wants to be a B-52 pilot? Given this regime, I should bite my tongue…..

      Report Post » Ready2Rumble  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 7:11am

      catb that’s an excellent idea, have him join the CIA.

      Report Post »  
  • Pastor Ray
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:39pm

    Where is my post?

    Report Post » Pastor Ray  
  • fatgreenlady
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:12pm

    Many laws and regulations these days get in the way of good old fashioned common sense.
    The Army apparently has no problem taking in and promoting unamerican muslim terrorists (remember Fort Hood) but won’t give this upstanding, american-loving citizen a chance. RUBBISH! Hire the guy for a non-combat position and have military branches start looking at people’s values and morals rather than just physical wholeness.

    Report Post »  
    • Ron_WA
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:31pm

      Again, there is no reason he cannot serve as a military civilian employee just not in uniform.

      Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • Pastor Ray
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:32pm

      My told a story about a guy with no arms getting drafted in WWII. When he got to basic training he ask the sargent…What can I do with no arms? To that the sargent replied…See that fellow pumping water at that hand pump?…Yes I see him…Well tell him when the bucket is full cause he’s blind!

      Report Post » Pastor Ray  
  • jungle J
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:10pm

    the weak have too much power over the strong.

    Report Post »  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:09pm

    This is a brilliant move by a sharp young man. There is no way that this doesn’t lead to an e ceptional opportunity for him. Military or otherwise.

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • Sicialian Eyeball
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:49pm

    If they can take muslims,what’s the problem with this guy? I’d trust him a heck of a lot further than a muslim when the chips are down.

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:08pm

      How sad and pathetic. He wants “camraderie” and the way he wants to get it is by volunteering to go blow the arms and legs off of men,women and children! I call this a case of the banality of evil !

      Report Post »  
    • kalli
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:12pm

      You make a good point. I do not feel good about mus lims serving in our military. As a grandmother who has a grandson leaving next month to begin his service, I would not feel good about his serving with one. How does one know if this soldier is a peaceful American mus lim, or one like in Ft. Hood waiting to take out as many American soldiers as he could? God bless our soldiers who are in harms way 24/7!

      Report Post »  
    • becker88
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:14pm

      That is a true American Hero.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • kalli
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:16pm

      @ Rose Ellen

      Get over yourself. This nation became the greatest nation in the world, and it was done with God’s help through many wars….wars that have been a fact of life since man procreated on this earth.

      Report Post »  
    • El Pistoffo
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:19pm

      @Rose-Ellen
      Go crawl back under your rock! No one gives a crap about what you have to say!

      Report Post » El Pistoffo  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:57pm

      >ROSE-ELLEN. Your CODE-PINK is showing. Buffoonish posting by you.

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
    • CatB
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:32pm

      @Rosetroll

      You really don’t understand do you .. .while we are trying to limit “collateral damage” … and to that end our men and women are getting hurt and killed .. I would rather they were blowing up more enemy.But the powers that be are more concerned about the enemy than our own military members. God Bless those who keep us safe at home … and to you Code Pink idiots .. even you are kept safer by them.

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:38pm

      @ Rose Ellen

      I believe this is the second stupid post I have seen from you today. I kind of doubt you are reallly this dumb. I bet you are just a troll, that intentionally posts stupid stuff, just so you can see people react.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 10:06am

      Rose Ellen, how sad, muslims get to kill infidels and go to heaven and have 72 virgins. We just kill those that want to kill us before they can.

      Report Post »  
  • twowarvet
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:42pm

    I appreciate his desire to serve the Nation through the Army, but all Soldiers must be fully capable for deployment to a combat theatre or they are not eligible to remain in service. This is a fact as per Army Regualtion and policy. His disability precludes him from even initial entry qualification. There are many other opportunities to serve our Nation and I am sure he can find a match.

    Report Post »  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:47pm

      Reminds me of the leg-less cheerleader. (Who pays the interpreter?) With so many real issues facing America, why do people see their cause always above others? I would love to become a big, blue-eyed movie star, but I DON’T HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS!

      Report Post »  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:15pm

      Oh please… If Israel can get away with having deaf service members (a country that has been seeing combat on its own soil for years, whereas we haven’t seen any, besides Pearl harbor, since 1865?), then we can certainly find a non-combat role for this dude.

      Just because something is military policy doesn’t mean that it is right or that it even makes sense. And if you are going to say that this guy shouldn’t be allowed to serve because his condition will make him an ineffectual fighter then you should go ahead and discharge all women for the same reason.

      This is coming from a veteran, btw.

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • LeeW
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:15pm

      I agree. Where does political correctness end we are disassembling our nation one ridiculous thing at a time

      Report Post »  
    • jungle J
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:16pm

      ten four.

      Report Post »  
    • twowarvet
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:28pm

      Doctor Nordo, as my screen name describes, I have served in two wars and multiple deployments. How many wars are you a veteran of? Or, are you a peace-time veteran? The policy is in effect for good reason, even cooks are expected to see combat on today’s non-linear battlefield. I didn’t make it, but I sure support it. The Army’s end strength is mandated by the Congress and thus, every single person is critical. If you had deployed to combat in the last ten years, you would have seen large numbers of civilian contractors. This is not so civilains can get rich, rather the Army doesn’t have enough people to fully man a protracted war like was done during World War II.

      Report Post »  
    • ZengaPA65
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:50pm

      Exactly. A discrimination lawsuit waiting to happen.

      Report Post » ZengaPA65  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 8:00pm

      You can’t always be facing your superiors so that you can read their lips. And a lot of deaf people are hard to understand. Not to be prejudiced, I have a mentally handicapped son. But if you’re sighting down a rifle ready to shoot and someone tells you to stand down, how do you hear it? Or if you have to give a report, and the officers can’t understand you? It’s just like my children (and me now) who can’t serve because of being Celiac Disease. We can‘t eat MRE’s. What would happen if they got in a situation where that was all there was to eat? And if we give them all “shore billets” as the Navy would say, when would the other sailors get to rotate to shore duty? If you send him to an MOS that’s never supposed to see combat, when do the other soldiers get to rotate off of combat? We have a limited amount of spots, or at least we did in the 80′s.

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:02pm

      No one ever died to keep us free-not in viet nam and not in iraq or afghanistan.[as ron paul corageously acknowedges]. But keep telling yourselves that-it is the only way to rationalize your dead and wounded-that they didn’t die in vain-when of course they did.And mccain was dropping bombs on the villages od viet nam-as americans are doing in pakistan,afghanistan and iraq. You target the civilians when it is in your interests and your wars in viet nam and iraq and afghanistan are against the people of those countries. You invaded them and they rightfully resist you. You can choose to believe a false self serving narrative about yourselves but the people of the world know very well that you murder civilians in your wars against them (9-11 was the first time you were brought to the knowledge that there was no longer a guarantee you could continue murdering others with impunity]!

      Report Post »  
    • twowarvet
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:27pm

      Reply to Rose-Ellen
      WOW! That came from out in left field!? The article is about a gentleman who desires to join the US Army and you provided a bewilderig, off-topic response. Please stick to the news story topic for conversational clarity. ;-)

      Report Post »  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:57pm

      rwowarvet, I am a veteran of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and was directly involved in bombing the hell out of Baghdad. So no, not a peace time vet.

      There are absolutely stations that he would be able to serve in that wouldn’t require him to see combat. I don’t see that as nearly as big of an issue as women purposely getting knocked up to avoid deployment or getting preferential treatment regarding promotions (admit it, affirmative action is alive and well in the us armed forces) and getting away with drastically subpar physical standards.

      Fact, women on average make far worse soldiers than men, yet they are allowed in in droves and for the most part are shielded from participating in any sort of combat. Roughly 2% of fatalities in Iraq have been females. While I don’t know the exact ratio of women to men soldiers, I do know it’s a lot more than 2%. So many people in the service never see any sort of combat, and so many don’t really even want to be in the military. This dude wants to serve more than anything and as long as a non-combat billet could be found for him, I don’t see the problem.

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 10:16pm

      It’s obvious that ROSE-ELLEN is really RON-PAUL trolling the Blaze.

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • beans bullets and bandaids
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:37pm

    Love this guy’s commitment to serving our country, but… the rules they have now are in place for a reason.

    In the US military there are physical requirements and in some jobs there are requirements that are not in place for other specialties. Pilots need great vision, for example. Even part from my age, I could never be a pilot because I’m “half blind”.

    I can understand how Nolan feels about being ineligible. I really can. One of my son’s was assaulted a year ago and ended up with permanent, partial hearing loss in one ear. While his hearing is still good enough for his normal duties, it disqualifies him from Special Forces/Rangers… something he has been determined to do for years and years ~ long before he enlisted. I feel for my son. He is more than disappointed. However, he has to accept that the standards are what they are and that he will not be able to serve in that capacity. That’s what Nolan needs to do. He wants to join the US Army, not the Israeli Army.

    We have the greatest military in the world. They set these standards for good reasons. Why doesn’t Nolan get training in intel or whatever and serve as a DoD civilian? There are positions like that out there. Positions that truly contribute and “Serve those who Serve.” There is no shame in being willing but unable.

    Report Post »  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:33pm

    There are plenty of was to serve your country outside the military.

    If he’s so set on serving in the military he doesn’t have to serve in uniform; he can serve as a DoD civilian. There are plenty of career military civilians, some even deploy to combat zones & carry weapons, some deploy several times.

    I’m certain there are jobs he could do in uniform but he’d never be able to get thru basic training or much of the other occupational specialty schools required to get to that point.

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • kalli
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:39pm

      I have seen many instances of people with handicaps who are more capable of handling a job than someone who is not handicapped. Don’t bet against this man not being able to handle the task set before him. God bless him!

      Report Post »  
    • Ron_WA
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:28pm

      Again, I’m certain there are plenty of jobs he can do in uniform the problem is he cannot make it thru basic training & other specialty training as they rely highly on verbal communication often times from someone or something not in direct sight of the person receiving the commands.

      He’s probably got all the heart, guts, physical strength & mental capacity but he’s lacking one key communications capability to make it thru the initial gateways to qualify for service.

      Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • megansmom
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:31pm

    There is no reason why he couldn’t work in intelligence. Most of what they do is spend the day locked in the vault looking over papers. At least the overwhelming quiet wouldn’t bother him.

    Report Post »  
    • beans bullets and bandaids
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:53pm

      LOL… that’s not quite true

      Report Post »  
    • Wolf
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:50pm

      ‘Scuse me, Megansmom… ‘military intelligence’ is an oxymoron… letting him serve would prove it even more.
      Do you understand what ‘minimum standards’ are?

      Report Post »  
  • macpappy
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:31pm

    No doubt people with disabilities are tough, and well meaning; but please
    A deaf soldier
    A legless marathon runner
    A girl with no legs or arms wants to be a cheerleader.
    It’s one thing to reach out to handicapped people, but this “if he wants to, he must be allowed” is crap.
    It all started with bike lanes.

    Report Post » macpappy  
    • oriondma05
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:37pm

      I agree with you about the girl that had no arms/no legs trying to be a cheerleader, that was just wishful ambition. But this guy could be a cook or a laborer, mechanic or electrician. Not every soldier is sent to front lines with a rifle. And he looks very able bodied.

      Report Post » oriondma05  
    • beans bullets and bandaids
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:50pm

      ORIONDMA05… Every soldier needs to be able to engage in combat to some degree. Women aren’t supposed to be in combat, but we‘ve had women taken prisoner and killed in action because the ended up in those those kinds of situations even though it wasn’t “their job”. His inability to hear can really cause problems, even in the DFAC or motor pool.

      Do we really need to ensure that we train all of his command, supervisors and peers in sign language to be sure they can effectively communicate? And then train some more when he moves to a new station? It’s just not practical in so many ways.

      Report Post »  
    • oriondma05
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:51pm

      @Beans – You’re absolutely right, every soldier needs to be able to engage combat at some degree. Put this guy in some position that he can meet some expectation. When the time comes where he actually needs to pickup a rifle, make it so that it’s a last resort.

      Look at the examples of 100% able bodied soldiers/servicemen we’ve had: Bradley Manning, Nadal Hassan, the most recent guy that tried another Ft. Hood attack.

      And yes there have been women take POW like Jessica Lynch.

      That was their choice to serve their country. I’m sure this guy can be put on some base washing humvees and cleaning Generals golf cleats. And until our mainland gets invaded we don’t have worry about him. And when that time comes, point him in the right direction and tell him to fire.

      No sign language needed.

      Report Post » oriondma05  
  • stumblemouth
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:28pm

    I recall that thirty years ago the Army would let someone with a stutter do one of two jobs: bus driver or truck driver. The deaf patriot may want to serve, but what will the service allow him to do? Even if one works on computers, oral communication skills are usually required. I wish him well, though. At least he wants to serve.

    Report Post » stumblemouth  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:21pm

    This man deserves respect and admiration. He’s not a quitter. Surely there is a place in the military for him.

    Report Post »  
    • kalli
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:36pm

      Absolutely! This man’s courage in wanting to serve expounds true patriotism and love for his country. Something truly lacking in our leaders in Washington.

      Report Post »  
  • Wyatt's Torch
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:17pm

    Huh? Speak up please…

    Report Post » Wyatt's Torch  
  • oriondma05
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:16pm

    I admire him. In an age when people protest against a country they hate because they’re “not getting their fair share”, this guy wants to serve.

    Report Post » oriondma05  
  • Hisemiester
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:14pm

    Again, What?

    Report Post »  
    • piper60
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 11:07pm

      Actually, your question should be where? As in where is your compassion. Where is your brain????

      Report Post » piper60  
  • Hisemiester
    Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:12pm

    What?

    Report Post »  
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