CAF Story | Strength in neurodivergence

Specialized skills and pattern recognition are essential strengths in many areas of the CAF. As LCol Trevor Semeniuk, a neurodivergent individual, explains, it’s important to recognize such talented individuals, keep them engaged, and let them do what they do best. #MyCAFStory

[lusoroofing]

my son is neurodivergent, it’s promising to stumble upon this video :)

[elliotharris]

It’s been great seeing videos like this because the CAF is a tapestry made of many different kinds of individuals. They may be soldiers first, but there’s real people beneath the CADPAT!

Thanks for your service.

[paddy]

Hey Canadian Forces, why don't I ever see posts about how combat ready the CAF are, or how superbly well equipped they are? I'm starting to think of the CAF as some sort of social engineering program.

[JohnSmith-bljk]

As a neurodivergent NCM in CAF I have found the occupation very mentally taxing. I have felt left out and segregated off by my peers and various parts of the CoC. I think the experience will vary heavily based on how your particular type of neurodivergent traits appear to others. As someone who has been singled out by their CoC as 'difficult' and having been told (sometimes as written counselling) I have to 'learn how to get along better' with superiors and peers regularly I can attest that there is still a good deal of soldiers in CAF that do not really understand the traits of neurodivergence. There is a reason why its called masking... and it is an exhausting and sometimes very depressing way to live. I would not recommend an occupation in CAF to others with neurodivergence at this time; however, there are some traits of the job that can be appealing to us.. but it can be pretty isolating.

[AlexsonP]

Thinking of joining but I hear you can’t if you take adhd medication?

[warrington_tree_care]

Yeah, this is garbage. I was just denied my application to serve because of my ADHD Medication.

[jamesmcisaac]

If only there was a guideline for navigating the recruitment process for those with adhd. It seems like all that exist are deadends and unanswered emails.

[MrJaysonlavergne]

BZ Trevor. And excellent example of how diversity and inclusion actually can be successful. Hopefully with the work you and your organizational allies are doing, more and more neurodivergent Canadians will become part of the Defence Team.

[TricksterModeEngaged]

I'm glad they're sharing information like this now. I was diagnosed with ADHD and the 'tism after I'd already completed my basic and initial trades qualification training and I was too ashamed to tell anyone in my unit because I was embarrassed and I didn’t want it to become a problem. In hindsight a) I don't think anyone would have cared that much and b) there is no way no one had figured it out because it turns out I'm very bad at hiding it.

I ended up getting medically released in 2016 (blood clots in my lungs) and a part of me wishes I could re-enlist. It was hard at times, but there's a lot about it that I miss. (being an Aspie woman is also somehow more uncomfortable in a civilian workplace a lot of the time. I definitely got included socially more with my old unit)

[spencerleblanc]

This video is encouraging. However, as one who is diagnosed with ADD and has/is taking medication to curb stomp its effects. I am thinking about being a cook in the military as I have experience in kitchen and think I could excel in the field while serving our country. The only fear I have is that I won’t pass the medical as I have heard that you’re more unlikely to be accepted with adhd and recent medication prescriptions. What could I do to help combat my chances of success? Thank you!

[LordMoriancumer]

I am neurodivergent signals NCM in the CAF, I have similar experience and in my 8th year of service

[GuyCorriveau]

on your feet and out of the box --- forward-looking and great thinking on the part of job classification folks and recruiters --- some jobs need neurodivergent thinkers!

[CanuckOutdoors]

between work, life and family life, I have been grinding so hard to pay off my collections debt in order to follow through with my goal of joining the caf like many of my family before me did. under $1000 left.