My first post - I was directed here by "libraryLady" and I figured I might as well participate, but some posts in this section have left me iffy as to whether or not this section is orientated towards me as a junior in high school, so if that's the case then so be it, I'll head on back to lurking. As I mentioned before, I'm in the 11th grade. I currently have my eyes set on the Ranger regiment as they have been for a good while now, but for all I know I may have a revelation in the next few hours causing me to realize my true calling of managing spread sheets, as that tends to happen to kids my age. Why SOF? Well shoot, that's about as easy to answer as the meaning of life. I could go on for a good while about the "philosophical" aspects and what not, and everything from the desire for the camaraderie and pushing myself, to wanting to be a hardass when I get to aging like my great-grandfather . But in the end it just "feels" right I suppose. What I know about the path to the Rangers so far. Also a difficult answer, as my knowledge is a collective hump of things acquired through reading a few books, and the always "reliable" internet. In short I believe I have to go to a recruiter (which I plan to do early October as I hear that's when things become available, when I'm 19, giving myself a good year to prepare myself to the best of my ability for what is to come) and semi request/semi demand an 11x option 40 contract. And then to be ready for Basic, Airborne school, RASP, Ranger school in that order and possibly things such as SERE later in my career, "if" I make it that far. I'm pretty glad I was directed here as I was able to read the "25m" post, which confirmed my belief that I was being a dummy for assuming that Basic will be a walk in the park after looking at the "grand scheme" of things too much. Voila, I hope whomever's the judge finds it to be an acceptable first.
Don't request. You have every right to tell the recruiter that you want 11x and if he won't give it to you, you'll go somewhere else. Be respectful, but be adamant and don't take something you don't want just because some dude in a uniform pressures you. Good luck.
Gotchya. Thanks. I'm under the assumption that what you're saying means that in the event of being denied at a recruiting station, there's nothing stopping one from just going to another?
Pretty much. It's not like school districts where if you live within certain boundaries you have to go to one recruiting station or another. And you'd be surprised at how things can open up to you when you tell the recruiter no thanks, you'll just try the next office.
Correct. If they give you the line "that option is available now" Tell you them you'll keep coming back until it does because that is the only thing you want and will except. It was a little easier when the economy was good but you still have someone who needs to meet numbers. The biggest mistake people make I think is when they are going through the recruitment process, they take things they don't really want, get talked into others then spend the next 4-6-8 years pissed that they are doing something they didn't want. Remember two things, If it isn't on paper at MEPS you WILL NOT get it despite what the recruiter says. The recruiter is not your friend, he is doing his job which is putting people where the Army wants them not where they want to go.
Understood. The economy/Defense cuts were slightly worrying me but I suppose there will always be a need for new guys regardless of what happens. Thanks everyone. I haven't even been a member for an entire day and I'm already really enjoying it.
I was an active Army 12B with the 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg from 02-06. I got out, went to school and just finished my bachelors degree. My eventual goal is to be an 18A and I've gathered what I believe to be most of the info on how to achieve this, either going straight to OCS, then a few years conventional before SFAS, or 18x, a few years as an NCO, OCS, a few years conventional, then the Q-course as an officer. I'm 27, will be 28 when I go back in next year hopefully, so time is a factor. Although I was an NCO my last year in, I'm inclined towards setting my sights on being an SF NCO for several years before going to OCS and moving towards 18A. It means extra time but hypothetically I could get OCS well before I was 35 (cutoff age for active OCS applicants). It's my understanding that officers applying to SFAS have a more narrow window during which to get to SFAS. In addition to wanting SF experience as an NCO before going for 18A, this also seems like a safer bet and a route with fewer possible roadblocks to getting into what I have heard and what I believe must be the best career path in the Army. I'm trying to cut down on the number of unknown variables in this plan and hopefully find some advice/insight from those with firsthand knowledge of these endeavors. So I guess I'm asking if anyone knows of factors important to this process that I'm likely ignorant of, and if anyone has opinions as to which path is best. Thanks for allowing me into this forum! Charlie
I'm currently a college student, and a holder of an 18X contract as of the past Halloween. When I entered into college I knew I would be pursuing this path, but when I learned of an ROTC program on campus, I participated in it to get an introduction into the Army and the way things are done. It did give me an idea of what the Army is like. I learned very basic skills, from marching and formations, land nav, weapons operations, and so on. Currently in school, I'm continuing my study of Spanish, and starting to study Arabic. On a side note, I shot on my state's junior Service Rifle team for a few years back in high school, and love participating in long range shooting competitions. I've always been interested in SOF, but particular Army SF because of their involvement with local populations and different cultures, and larger focus on unconventional warfare versus the more direct action focus of other units. Currently, I'm training on my own, doing two ruck marches a week with about 60lbs in my ALICE pack. At the moment, I'm doing 8 miles in about two hours. My goal in the near future is to do 12 miles in 3 hours. Also, heading to the gym daily to increase my strength in all areas. In addition, I'm working hard to max out my APFT. My COA 1 is to make it through OSUT, BAC, SPOC, SFAS, make it through the pipeline, and then serve on an ODA for a long period of time. My COA 2 is to serve as an airborne infantryman, physically prepare and once I can apply to SFAS again, to do so.
With nearly half a billion people in the world speaking it, and with the ongoing current events in the Middle East, I thought it would be a good idea to get some kind of exposure to the language.
You forgot to mention time travel in your list of knowledge and skills attained during your time in ROTC? Best of luck!
11A, former LRS guy. Currently working full-time with Ga Guard. I have been very blessed in my career by being surrounded by some outstanding NCOs. In the spirit of the Alamo Scouts, who picked their team leaders, what are the NCOs looking for in a SF team leader? I have just started preparing myself physically for SFAS. I will have to attend a tryout with 20th Group before they will send me to SFAS. I have some hooah schools under my belt but want to ensure I can be an asset to a team. Thanks
