Deafness in the military has always been a sore subject. It was always frowned upon and potential recruits who are unable to hear are turned away from the armed forces. Keith Nolan was one of the unfortunate men who had always wanted to join the army but was turned down…because he couldn't hear. He didn't let it hold him back and became a teacher and eventually decided to join a local ROTC. Nolan 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. Other countries allow men and women with disabilities to be employed in the armed forces, they just aren't on the front lines. Even americans with prosthetics are fighting, but Nolan will never be allowed to join the army. To me this just is not right, especially in America.
I think your point about deafness in the military is a good one to explore. It may be useful to point out the reason why deaf people are prohibited from joining the military in the first place. I am sure that the reasons for it are probably vague. Do you have a personal connection to the topic somehow? If so, it would do well to mention it in the paper.
ReplyDeleteI think it is unfortunate that the military would not except someone who was deaf even though they would be a good asset to our armed forces. I agree that I think its unfair for people with other disabilities to be able to participate, but like what shawn said above, there may be a good reason why they aren't allowed to fight on the front lines. It would be very difficult to communicate to a deaf person in an urgent situation. Also, that would probably mean that everyone in their group would have to learn sign language in order to communicate with the man. Perhaps there is another job besides fighting on the front that would be more suitable with this handicap. I don't think they should completely shut him out because he has worked so hard and is obviously valuable. Maybe there is another way to work deaf people into the army system.
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