Recruiter disciplined for taking autistic man

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, August 10, 2006

PORTLAND, Ore. – A U.S. Army recruiter who signed up an autistic Portland teenager has been relieved of his recruiting duties and will be reassigned.

Douglas Smith, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Recruiting Command in Fort Knox, Ky., said an investigation found that Cpl. Ronan Ansley concealed the recruit’s disability, which would have made him ineligible for service.

Military officials also admonished Sgt. Alejandro Velasco, who worked with Ansley at a Portland recruiting station, The Oregonian newspaper reported in its Thursday editions.

The investigation started after Jared Guinther’s parents contacted the newspaper, which subsequently asked questions about his enlistment.

Guinther’s father, Paul, said Wednesday he is pleased with the military’s action.

The Army released Guinther from his enlistment contract in May after he had signed up to be a cavalry scout.

Guinther, 19, has been diagnosed with moderate to severe autism, a developmental disorder that causes problems with social interaction and language.