First Post

SSG,
I am sorry that my introduction came across as being arrogant. I will be the first to admit that I am currently a nobody. In response to the questions that you posed:

"Is your degree what defines you?"
I don't believe that a degree defines a person. I know plenty of people who graduated from top colleges and universities while cheating their way through the process. However, I disclosed my education background in an attempt to make it clear that I am serious about enlisting in military via the 11x option 40 contract. I had hoped to convey the notion that I am not just another Cheeto eating teenager who played a military video game and decided that the profession looked "cool."

"What have you done other than get a degree?"
In terms of the military, I have done nothing. I would argue that getting a degree doesn't necessarily have any relevance or correlation to the military. Rather, it simply means that I did what was asked of me by the university that conferred a degree upon me. This is partially why I seek to enlist rather than go to OCS. Personally, I am not convinced that a college degree somehow qualifies you to be a leader in combat.

Again, I apologize for coming across as arrogant. One of the main reasons I joined this forum was due to my lack of knowledge. I believe that I can obtain relevant information, knowledge, and guidance from this site. If my first impression impinges upon this, then, I am the only one who loses.
Very Respectfully,
D3

I am currently a 21 year old college student majoring in Middle East and North African studies with a minor in Spanish. I always had a desire to serve in the military for at least one enlistment, if not for a career. I posted my forum introduction a few months ago, but I avoided posting an introduction here in the mentoring section. My reasoning was that I am not sure I can adequately put into words, why I want to serve in a special operations unit, or why I thought I deserved it. Also, I thought I might sound like a douche. However, I'm just going to sack up and write this intro. If it makes me sound like a douche, feel free to ridicule me for it.

Here are my general reasons for wanting to serve in an SOF unit. Besides a brief period in which I boxed, I have always played team sports and thus enjoy being surrounded by individuals with a common goal. After 3.5 years of college always acting as an individual, I know without a doubt that I would like to work in an environment in which I can work with like minded, similarly motivated individuals. I will also admit that I like the idea of partaking in operations that the general public may never hear about, and being paid to keep myself in the best physical condition possible while getting to do all of the cool guy things that go along with the job. Additionally, I want to be in a position that has the highest chances of me being able to do my job. The deployment tempo of SOF units makes it extremely likely that I will be given the opportunity to deploy and do my job. (I am sure that many who serve now will tell me to be careful what I wish for.)

As for what I want to do exactly for my military career, I am to this point still unsure. For the last few years, I have gone back and forth as to my post college plans. I know I either want to take an option 40 contract or an 18x contract. I believe that being an Special Forces soldier is my ideal job that I could do for a career. Naturally that makes the 18x contract the more appealing of the two, however, I have reservations. I'm not sure if I could bring a lot to the table as a possible teammate. The only work experience I ever had was working in my uncles' warehouse one summer and working at a water park for another summer. I have made it my mission in college to acquire skills that would give me something to offer, but college experience is a weak substitute for real life.

This is where my attraction to an option 40 contract and a shot at joining the 75th comes in. As has been echoed numerous times on this site, growing up as a soldier in the 75th Ranger Regiment is an experience like no other. I can't think of a better environment to learn and grow as a young soldier in the U.S. Army. I would have to make it through a selection process, then if I made to a Battalion, continue to excel or else I could be RFSed and sent packing. Also, before I began to read everything I could about SF, being a Ranger was what I always saw myself doing in the Army. It seemed to me that the Regiment was deployed in just about every modern conflict that the U.S. was involved in, and if I was fortunate enough to make it into the Regiment I could expect to be deployed and do my job.

That said, I do think that my temperament is better suited for Special Forces. I am a reasonably well travelled individual, and have spent time studying abroad in the past. In fact, I am currently studying abroad right now as well. I enjoy learning the language and the nuances of living with members of another culture. I speak Spanish and Arabic with varying degrees of proficiency depending on where I am and what language I am focused on. I value the importance of being a warrior-ambassador. Especially given the nature of the conflicts we currently find ourselves in. The idea of being on a close nit team of professionals, far from the flag pole and given flexibility in how to complete the objective, strongly appeals to me. Having to, train, advise, and fight alongside fighters from a foreign nation, all the while building report with the general populace is a mission that resonates with me. It is this unique skill of a Special Forces soldier that makes me want to try to join their ranks. SF soldiers deploy often in times of peace and in war, fitting in with my desire to do the job, and not just train to do the job.

Now as for the big question, why do I deserve to be in one of these esteemed units? Well I don't know if I do. The odds of me making it through either one of these pipelines are weighed heavily against me. Hell, even if I make it through the pipeline I might not deserve it or have what it takes to hack it in the units in question. I suppose, at the risk of sounding like a self promoter, that I see myself as an athletic and durable individual, with reasonable doses of common sense and intelligence. Naturally, others may see me in a completely different way, so it is entirely realistic that I might be dumber than I think. Oh and in regards to the athletic and durable bit, it seems I often overestimate my physical abilities and give myself unrealistic physical fitness goals, so maybe I am not as athletic as I think I am. But I haven't seriously injured myself yet, despite all of the contact sports I participated in, so I may be as durable as I think I am. (That may have come at the expense of intelligence...) However I can say that I keep myself in shape, I always try to expand my education, either through reading, or experience, and that I do my best not to be a shit bag. Does this mean I deserve to be on your team, or anyone's team, of course not. But I have to start somewhere.

I would like to start off my post for thanking each and every member within the military that is a member of this online community. Secondly I am an 18x Special Forces recruit shipping out this September. By that point and time I will be an Auburn University graduate with a degree in political science. I have known were my life was going to take me on September 11 when my family and I lost contact with my uncle who worked in the WTC with his Verizon colleagues. He was fortunate enough to desire a muffin that morning which delayed his arrival to his office which was one of the upper floors. I committed myself right then and there as a sixth grader. The mission of Army SF defines how I want to present myself and make a difference in this world. The men and women throughout the special operations community are the people I desire to call myself a part of. I do not wish to wear the "green hat" I wish to be the mission I do not seek recognition or validation except from those in this community to whom I am speaking.

Thanks again to all of you I hope I can get some mentoring and guidance over the next few months.

Ben Bieber

Bieber,

Introduction post belongs in the Intro area at the beginning of the forum, the ShadowSpear email you received has instructions concerning this. Save yourself the headache of getting yelled at for FTFSI and correct this ASAP.

Seems that there's a recurring theme of HSLD wannabes having an issue with FFI vis-a-vis the intro thread, while the AD/retired guys seem to be able to post intros before posting elsewhere, as per instructions...

Thank you I appreciate your help I have not received any email as of right now.

My apologies Free. Won't happen again.

ETA: Looks like you're going to need some 800mg Motrin, Sir.

Cback and the moderating staff,

I am a wannabe, that is what all of us 18x's are there is no way around that it is simply the truth a truth I will gladly admit. I will do anything and everything in my power to be a member of the SF mission both at home and abroad. It is that desire that powers my relentless training and tireless reading of SF operations and books such as Chosen Soldier and Horse Soldier. I also understand that no matter how much I may want this it is up to those who have lived it and have given much of themselves to be apart of the community. I stated in my initial introduction about my uncles experience on Septemeber 11 inside the South Tower and I would like to expound briefly upon that. The pain he carries with him is something transmissible and it is something I contracted over the past few years spending summers in New York. He is unable to talk about it as many are but there are those like everyone of you who moderate and post on this terrific site who can speak for him and those who have no voice on this earth. It is that reason that I want to become the SF mission and enlisting under the 18x contract was in my mind the fastest way to get my chance to prove my worth. I belong within this community and no matter how many attempts victories and failures I accrue over the coming years I will get there. I would also like to quickly add that I have had the absolute privilege of talking to high ranking member of the folks in Norfolk through my fathers boss who grew up with him. This man has been a SEAL for 20+ years and his advice sounds identical to much of yours he also recommended traveling and enjoy your youth as x Sf Med posted on this thread. He also went on to ask me some deep questions about my motivations and goals and his own opinion based on that hour long conversation was that "my mind is geared correctly for this it is up to my resolve to take me the rest of the way and that anything physical is simply not an excuse." This conversation happened I am not making this up I currently have his number just as he requested I do in order to give him updates on my path into the military.

I would like to end this second introduction with the one moment I attribute all of this towards. My grandfather died in january 25th, 2000 the following September my father comes down the stairs after I finished my 6th grade reading homework and said "Im just happy Poppy (grandfather) never had to see this."

Once again I thank you for giving my uncle and his colleagues a voice.

Former 13F in the 82nd. Finished up my first contract after an uneventful deployment to Iraq. I ended up getting out and going to school for a year. Not a day went by (cliche) where I didn't want to go back in and do more. I feel like looking back at my previous posts on this forum, I was very immature and wasn't really sure what I wanted just a year ago. I'm actually glad the Army wanted me to go to Alaska, and that prompted my exit. I feel like if I would have went to SFAS before, I wouldn't have made it. I'm now 100% on what exactly I want and won't stop at anything to get it.

Currently finishing up my paper work with my recruiter and will be going up to MEPS soon.

Bro, every time I do my Fayetteville Tech college classes I thank God that I'm in the Army. All it takes is a look at my future co-workers in the "real world" to keep me in.

I thought the grass was going to be greener on the other side...

I am currently 17 years old still in high school working towards ROTP with the Canadian forces. I don't have the university and college degrees like most people on here looking to join the SOF mentor program, but I do have the determination, and self-discipline to help me accomplish the goals I have set before myself. I want to join an SOF because I want a life style where I will be challenged physically and mentally everyday and want to defend my nation from her enemies wherever they be hiding. I deserve to be here because I even in my short time of realizing what I want to do, I have dedicated my self to preparing physically and mentally, mostly physically for the challenges of not only joining the army but also for selection into JTF2. Thank you

Spencer Tasker

Alright, I did my first post awhile ago, but I've been gone for awhile, a couple things have changed, and I've done more research into what I should. So, here it goes.

I'm a junior in high-school(11th grade). I'm taking a lot of upper-level classes and language classes right now, and I'm playing football as a Defensive end and a linebacker on a damn good team. When it comes to football though, I'm about average. I never got blessed in the talent department, but I work my ass off. It just is what it is, and there's only to make the best of it doing what I can to help the team. I used to want to be in the Air Force, but I found my options were better in the Army(The aforementioned research). Throughout this several year process of figuring out what I want to do with my life, I've come to realize something that I haven't really spoken about to anyone for two reasons. The first, I don't want to look like a fool or a braggart to people who wouldn't take me seriously, and I don't want to worry those who would. I know that I want to be a warrior. I don't know what it is about it, but it's just who I am. And if that's my place, then I'm going to go as far, push myself as hard, and hone my skills as much as I can. I know that if there's any group that would not only be able to understand this, but would be able to help me along the way, it's here.. This is a hell of a resource to have that I know hundreds of millions of aspiring warriors never had, and I plan to use it to the fullest.

The original thing I wanted to do, is be able to fight, and eventually get training doing what I want to do in the civilian world(foreign affairs or foreign business). In the Air Force, I couldn't really do this. On top of that, the FAO program is much more undermanned in the army. So, I continued doing research on my options and found out what I'm going for right now. I plan on attending ROTC at the University of Arizona, University of Texas at Austin, or VMI where I'll pursue a degree in Political Science with a focus on International Relations. When I graduate, I'm going to serve in the Infantry. From there, I'll develop myself as both a warrior and leader until I'm fit for the 75th. From there, onward. If I fail along the way, I'll just keep at it and keep trying.

I'm pretty much not going to be posting at all, with the exception of the occasional question. I'm gonna go look to see what needs to be done to join a mentor circle as a soon as I get on next. Lastly, I just want to warn you, there's a huge divide in how I write and how I talk. I speak normally, depending on who I'm with, but I write with a big vocabulary and stilted-sounding grammatical structures. In a lot of cases, it comes off like I'm trying to seem like I'm super intelligent, when it's just a habit. Anyway, I look forward to being around.

My interest with SOF began at a young age. My father was a Navy Diver and Seabee (UCT2) for 8 years. He used to tell lots of stories about the Navy when I was a young. It sounded like it was tough, hard work, but he got to do some really cool things. I have always been very proud of my dad. I remember him telling a story about doing some kind of land warfare training in the southern california desert, going on night patrols and being used as ambush practice by the SEALs. They piqued my interest. At around the age of eight I told my dad that when I wanted to grow up I wanted to be a fighter pilot. He told me I might grow to be too tall for that so I should pick a backup. I told him if I was too tall to fly I wanted to be a Navy SEAL. Dad was right and I grew way too tall to fly. At 24 years old I now measure in at 6'9". Growing up I became interested in lots of other things and changed my mind a half dozen times about what I wanted to be when I grew up. Herpetologist and orthopedic surgeon were the longest lasting.

After high school I started college and played basketball. It didn't go exactly as I planned. After one year I decided to take time off school. It was during that time that I started seriously considering the military. I felt that if there were young men my age fighting and dying for my country and I was okay with it, then I needed to be ready and willing to make the same sacrifice. Years earlier when I was 13, on Sept. 11 2001, I had sworn that if the US went to war, I would enlist and fight. I forgot about that until I was 19. I decided that I wanted to serve. I started thinking about what service I would join and what job I would do. After a little consideration, I thought I wanted to be a SEAL. So that's what I set my sights for. I decided to finish another year of school before enlisting, and went back to college and basketball. It was also important for me to take some time before joining the military to serve a 2 year mission for my church, so after another year of college I did that. I was assigned to Southwest Florida, which included Tampa. During my mission I met many retired and some active duty special operators from various services (thanks to the close proximity of SOCOM). Most of those were Army SF. I finished my missionary service and am now back in the West Coast, and after talking with those retired SF guys, a lot of research, and some personal inventory, I've decided that the SF mission is what I want to do. I want to make an impact in the world, and I feel this is the best way I can do it in the military. I have loved working with people of other cultures ever since my freshman year of college at a university where 70% of students were foreign. I love other languages. I'm not fluent in anything but english, but I have a strong desire to learn. I also want to fight the bad guys. Other things that draw me to SF is the chance to work with a highly professional, motivated, and experienced team. To be part of a warrior brotherhood. I wouldn't say I've done anything in my young life that entitles me to a shot at joining that brotherhood, but I'm grateful that I get a shot. That's why I'm on this forum; so I can get advice and mentorship from those that are a part of it. I want to take advantage of the opportunity I have by preparing myself physically and mentally.

Good lord, 6'9"??? Can you run? How much do you weigh?