RMC and Resource Students

[Undefined99]

I was accepted into RMC (yay), and I asked about any resources available to the cadets (specifically extra time on tests, exams). I was told that they didn't allow this. This confuses me because I know that RMC does everything it can to help it's cadets. What if they can't pass without extra time?  I was told they didn't think I'd need it because I did so well in the evaluation process. I have an identyfied learning disability and need the extra time, which I told them. Most other universities offer everything under the sun. Why hasn't this been made an issue before? Do the other Resource students ROTP at different universities? If so, then why aren't I?

 

[benny88]

      If I may offer an observation without sounding like a jackass: In your military career you won't be given extra time to complete tasks, either in training (BMOQ or trades training) or in real life. When you need to call in a fire mission, you need to do it NOW. When you need to land an aircraft on one engine, you need to do it NOW. The military often has a sense of urgency to it's tasks less likely to be found in the civilian world, it's best you start adjusting now.
    The reason RMC doesn't offer "everything under the sun" like a normal university is because it is NOT a normal university.
    If you've passed the selection process, I gather that the Recruiting Centre and the Selection Boards were made aware of your situation and do not think it serious enough to adversely affect your performance at RMC.
    I don't mean to sound insensitive to your learning disability, but you will have to adjust.

 

[Undefined99]

That's okay, I understand where you're comming from. The thing is, my disability only involves reading things and writing things, so, writting tests, exams. Also they never asked during the interviews about any learning disabilities (I'm guessing it's a liability thing).
(Sorry if there are spelling errors, the spell check doesn't load on my comp. for some reason).

 

[chris_log]

You'd have to enquire when you get there. I'm not an expert on mental disabilities, but I know that at civilian schools anyone with a disability of the sort you mention usually makes themselves known to the campus centre for disabled students (or whatever they call it) and the centre helps them with getting 'extra time' and such.

I will, however, provide an observation...if your disability is such that you cannot write academic tests without extra time then you will most likely have a lot of trouble during training courses.

I wasn't even aware that the CF accepted people with learning disabilities of a large enough magnitude that they need extra time and help irt academics. 

Also they never asked during the interviews about any learning disabilities (I'm guessing it's a liability thing).

You mean the CF is unaware of your condition?

 

[benny88]

That's okay, I understand where you're comming from. The thing is, my disability only involves reading things and writing things, so, writting tests, exams. Also they never asked during the interviews about any learning disabilities (I'm guessing it's a liability thing).
(Sorry if there are spelling errors, the spell check doesn't load on my comp. for some reason).

  The examples I gave in my first post of things that needed to be done on the bounce were just a few that Officers will face, and an important one is reading and writing. You must be able to communicate quickly, both verbally and in writing. You will need to take and give orders clearly and concisely, and often, in my experience, at lightning speed.
  Note that I have only about 2 years in the Forces and I do not attend RMC, so I could be mistaken, but I think this is something that you are going to have to overcome. Not that you can't pursue extra help at RMC, but I would predict that extra exam time would be a no-no.
  Best of luck, and congratulations on your acceptance.

 

[Undefined99]

I was curious how "identifying myself" to RMC would work, and so told the officer incharge of my file at the recruiting center, who I believe asked Amissions at RMC. I only require 1 1/2 times the regular time (so instead of an hour, I'd need 1 1/2).

 

[Michael OLeary]

Also they never asked during the interviews about any learning disabilities (I'm guessing it's a liability thing).

Do you remember being asked anything like this, probably at the end of any number of interviews by CFRC or medical staff:

"Is there anything else we should know about you?"

"Is there anything else you'd like to add?"

That is being asked.

 

[Michael OLeary]

I was curious how "identifying myself" to RMC would work, and so told the officer incharge of my file at the recruiting center, who I believe asked Amissions at RMC. I only require 1 1/2 times the regular time (so instead of an hour, I'd need 1 1/2).

Even if you received at at RMC, which is highly unlikely, would you then expect to get the same concession on every military training course as well?  At what point (duration of task, effect on other students, etc.) would you accept that this becomes unrealistic?

Out of curiosity, what trade are you applying for?  Some observations based on personal experience in that trade may be relevant to this conversation.

 

[George Wallace]

I was curious how "identifying myself" to RMC would work, and so told the officer incharge of my file at the recruiting center, who I believe asked Amissions at RMC. I only require 1 1/2 times the regular time (so instead of an hour, I'd need 1 1/2).

That is 50% more time required than others are allotted.  This adds up, especially for longer periods.  A three hour test would take you four and a half hours.  You would miss a minimum of two classes in that time.

 

[Undefined99]

I mean this in the most repectfully curious way Captain O'Leary, but I believe RMC accepted me on the fact that I get excellent marks, have my pilots license, do more then 10hrs of extra curicular activites a week, and have volunteered several hundred 100hrs of my time in the past year, and am in cadets, teach, and have recieved several awards, ect. I should hope that the fact that I need extra time to write tests would not be a deciding factor.
If it's because they need to know (ex. ROTP at another school) then I am in fault and would like to know how to fix this.
No, Captain Leary, I would only expect to get extra time on tests and exams, nothing else.
The Others, Mr. Wallace, don't have learning disabilites. I understand I would be missing classes, but I know for a fact that I can keep up.
I was excepted into Electrical Engineering.
Thank you very much

 

[Michael OLeary]

I mean this in the most repectfully curious way Captain O'Leary, but I believe RMC accepted me on the fact that I get excellent marks, have my pilots license, do more then 10hrs of extra curicular activites a week, and have volunteered several hundred 100hrs of my time in the past year, and am in cadets, teach, and have recieved several awards, ect.

Which is comparable to everyone else that was accepted.

I should hope that the fact that I need extra time to write tests would not be a deciding factor.

It could be, but you've already established that the CFRC has never been given that information.

If it's because they need to know (ex. ROTP at another school) then I am in fault and would like to know how to fix this.

I suggest talking to the CFRC, and being ready for bad news if that's the result.

No, Captain Leary, I would only expect to get extra time on tests and exams, nothing else.

In military training, not all tests involve the student sitting at a desk alone writing answers.  Some tests are practical in nature, but also equally demanding intellectually, and they can involve directing the actions of a group of your peers on the course.

The Others, Mr. Wallace, don't have learning disabilites. I understand I would be missing classes, but I know for a fact that I can keep up.

You have been able to keep up so far, allowing for the extra time you required.  That may not be the case in all circumstances.

I was excepted into Electrical Engineering.

We shall see if any officers in that classification have something to add from their professional perspective.  That may help with your decisions.

 

[Michael OLeary]

And you have side-stepped this question:

Do you remember being asked anything like this, probably at the end of any number of interviews by CFRC or medical staff:

"Is there anything else we should know about you?"

"Is there anything else you'd like to add?"

That is being asked.

 

[Undefined99]

Because of the nature of my learning disability Captain O'Leary, I don't need extra time on practical tests, even those that require academic application.
:S I apologize, at the time I thought they meant anything relevant to the questions asked, and since they were of a more personal biases, I didn't think that learning disabilities were implied. As well, as I've said before, I didn't think that it was that important (at the time).

 

[PMedMoe]

This is like watching a tennis game.  Never mind all the excuses, reasons, etc.  Your first step is to contact the CFRC and disclose this pertinent medical information.  Then take it from there, depending on the results.  As Mr. O'Leary said, you might have to prepare to be disappointed.

 

[aesop081]

In my 16+ years of CF service, i have never seen a student get "extra time" to complete a test, written or otherwise.

There is the time alloted and then theres you doing the test in that amount of time.

 

[Undefined99]

I have already contacted the recruiting center with this information Sgt. "PMedMoe". There was no change to my acceptance status.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Then this is locked.

PM a Moderator when you have some more news for us.
Good luck.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

I would like to thank the member who typed this up for posting on this thread. This should answer the questions that were asked by various members here.
We both agree that this thread should stay locked, if one has a problem with the answer then maybe its your COC you should talk too.
Bruce


RMC does accommodate certain identified learning disabilities. This is not a comment on whether or not I agree with the policy, just describing the process in general.

This is done by the staff first identifying a learning disability (LD) and working with the Office of the Registrar and the Dept involved. The identification is done through special testing performed/marked/administered by Queens. Recommendations are drawn up by the test adjudicator and are forwarded to the RMC Registrar. The Registrar in turn works with the Dept the student belongs to and comes up with a plan that still meets the requirements of the Degree program. If the LD is considered severe enough, there is a risk of the member being released or reassigned.

Some of these accommodations can be (but are not limited to):
Extended time for exams/midterms.
Writing exams in an environment other than the exam hall.
Having certain testing done orally instead of written (and if you think that sounds easy, you've never been grilled by an expert in their field for 3 hours).
The professor coming up with alternative methods for testing/marking.

It is carefully designed so that it does not get abused and it is a fairly complicated process to go through. In my 3 years there, I watched one friend go through it, administered an ROTP cadet through it the next year and know 2 others that have successfully received accommodation. I also know 3 that tried and received no accommodation as their LD was not considered severe enough to warrant any modification to their programs. I know one individual who was removed from the program at RMC due to their LD.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Another valuable piece of information and I'd like to thank the member whom sent it to me.



Just to add to the LD inquiry regarding RMC -- if you feel that the information provided is helpful and will obviate concerns  regarding LD accommodation at RMC, feel free to post the information provided below. 
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This information is applicable to Canadian Forces members attending RMC or any other academic institution and require disability accommodation.  The student must provide the academic institution, specifically, the Office for Students with Disabilities with the necessary documentation to be registered and receive accommodation. For students with learning disabilities (LD), the assessment must be administered by a Psychologist or qualified Specialist.  However, most academic institutions have specific LD assessment criteria / standards. A qualified Disability Specialist appointed by the institution will examine the results of the assessment i.e. test battery, accommodation requirements, notes provided in the assessment. They will also determine whether or not the assessment is current enough. As such, it may be requested that the student have their LD reassessed by an LD Specialist appointed by that institution.  There is a fee for the LD assessment (approx. $1000) which might be covered through a bursary or other institution resources.

For students attending RMC, there is a learning assessment centre (affiliated with Queen’s) located on Barrie Street in Kingston. They should be able to assist you with RMC administrative processes or perhaps put you in contact with the appropriate personnel. Based on the previous post, it was suggested that LD accommodation does exist at RMC. Note that RMC may require specific assessment criteria (i.e. recent assessment completed etc.). Therefore, it would be wise to find out what the requirements are and make the necessary arrangements prior to the start of classes. 

The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) http://www.neads.ca/en/ is an excellent resource for individuals with disabilities seeking information regarding community contacts, bursaries etc.