A Lifelong Battle with Learning Problems
and Triumphs in Military Service
Undiagnosed and often misunderstood, my mental condition has shaped a life of relentless adaptation and unexpected triumphs. From an early age, I was branded a slow learner as a nice term to use. At 7, Emory University in Atlanta, GA, confirmed my struggles with reading and writing. English became my adversary, and I faced failure in repeating the first grade. Words like “dyslexia” and “autism” floated around, but nothing concrete emerged. My mother deemed me “not normal,” and my Drill Sergeant simply called me “crazy.” "Hey crazy, get over here as many times he said. I clung to terms like “slow learner” and “outside-the-box thinker” to make sense of it all and to survive. I was acutely aware of my differences from childhood, which weren’t seen as positive. I grew up believing in the mantra that education was the key to success, but for me, that door was locked tight from the first grade onward. This was a painful truth, even as I eventually earned a BS and two MS degrees. Creativity became my sanctuary, though it often collided with the Army’s rigid rules and regulations. I hated the constraints, as my mind simply did not conform to them. Whenever someone quoted or spoke to a regulation, I literally cringed, and that behavior remained for my 31 years in service.
Reflecting on my career, I realized I flourished in roles that weren’t micromanaged—platoon leader, commander, and Special Forces operative, known as the Green Berets or “snake eaters.” In these capacities, I was liberated to devise my own solutions and thrived. Conversely, in regimented staff roles or military schools, I stumbled, got locked up by the police, or failed to adapt. Independence and visionary leadership were my lifelines, allowing me to excel despite my undefined condition. My mental condition remains a mystery, but through it all, I have forged my path, turning obstacles into stepping stones to navigate and succeed against the odds.
My memoir: A Soldier Against All Odds
Jason Pike
Veteran, Bestselling Author & Inspiring Speaker
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