Keith Nolan is a cadet private in the military, and he is deaf. Since he was a child, he dreamt of joining the military. He knew well the history of the American military, had read much literature on the topic, and sought to follow in the footsteps of the family members before him. Nolan simply wanted to serve his country, but he couldn’t, simply because he was deaf. Despite this, after graduating from high school, he immediately went to a naval recruiting center. Here he was dismissed immediately by the recruiter, who wrote on a piece of paper, “Bad ear, disqual.” Nolan tried a multitude of locations a significant number of times, but continually got the same response, because you are deaf we cannot accept you into the military. He then decided to become a teacher. Earing his masters, he taught for two years before everything changed.
While teaching about the Mexican-American War, one of his students who was deaf came up to him and expressed his desire to join the military. His immediate response was, “Sorry, you cant. You’re deaf.” Having heard this line so frequently himself, he realized he was perpetuating this message to the next generation, and his own students. This affected him greatly; having no desire to tell anyone they were incapable of achieving what they wished. At that same time, he had a friend who moved to Israel, and in Israel they accept deaf people into their military. He traveled to Israel and interviewed ten deaf Israeli soldiers about their experience. Meanwhile back home, his alma mater, CSUN, started an Army ROTC program. Intrigued, he emailed the program asking if he could participate. The response he received was the first time he wasn’t told no by military personnel, they agreed to work something out so that he could take a few classes with them.
Having had a great deal of experience talking to many people in the military, Nolan decided to write a research paper called “Deaf in the Military.” In the video he explains his 98 pages of research. History shows that there have been many deaf soldiers in each American war. The question remains, if the military can retain and employ their own soldiers who have become disabled through combat, why not employ disabled citizens? Because 80% of military jobs are non-combat, Nolan explains the variety of roles deaf soldiers could take on. He states, with complete certainty, that he feels deaf individuals can absolutely serve in the US Military.
Nolan goes on to detail the great success he has had in the military through the ROTC program, until he had to pass a medical exam to move up to the next level and actually join the Army. It is here he was told his progress must stop, that he could not continue, he could not join the Army. He has since gone to great lengths to talk to congress and other representatives, and is hoping to get this rule changed for himself, and all individuals who are deaf and desire to make their country proud.
While teaching about the Mexican-American War, one of his students who was deaf came up to him and expressed his desire to join the military. His immediate response was, “Sorry, you cant. You’re deaf.” Having heard this line so frequently himself, he realized he was perpetuating this message to the next generation, and his own students. This affected him greatly; having no desire to tell anyone they were incapable of achieving what they wished. At that same time, he had a friend who moved to Israel, and in Israel they accept deaf people into their military. He traveled to Israel and interviewed ten deaf Israeli soldiers about their experience. Meanwhile back home, his alma mater, CSUN, started an Army ROTC program. Intrigued, he emailed the program asking if he could participate. The response he received was the first time he wasn’t told no by military personnel, they agreed to work something out so that he could take a few classes with them.
Having had a great deal of experience talking to many people in the military, Nolan decided to write a research paper called “Deaf in the Military.” In the video he explains his 98 pages of research. History shows that there have been many deaf soldiers in each American war. The question remains, if the military can retain and employ their own soldiers who have become disabled through combat, why not employ disabled citizens? Because 80% of military jobs are non-combat, Nolan explains the variety of roles deaf soldiers could take on. He states, with complete certainty, that he feels deaf individuals can absolutely serve in the US Military.
Nolan goes on to detail the great success he has had in the military through the ROTC program, until he had to pass a medical exam to move up to the next level and actually join the Army. It is here he was told his progress must stop, that he could not continue, he could not join the Army. He has since gone to great lengths to talk to congress and other representatives, and is hoping to get this rule changed for himself, and all individuals who are deaf and desire to make their country proud.