USASED and SF

I have been training for SFAS the past few months and reading/participating in forums to gather as much information as possible. I have also been talking to recruiters for SF as well as looking into intel programs such as GSP and USASED. The ultimate end goal (300m target) for my career would be as an intel/operator in some TF such as Orange or other unit where I could utilize my intel skill set (HUMINT) and also be a "shooter".

That being said my 25m target is training for SF as stated above. After talking to some Great Skillers, I am seriously rethinking the SF route. Mainly because they made it seem that it's nearly impossible to be released from Group to attempt a position in one of those Tier One units. Am I mistaken that those units recruit from SF?

The conversation left me lost somewhere in my 100m - 200m targets. Specifically whether I should respond to the SFOD-D and USASED emails or go the SF route. I do not think I have enough time in service (5 yrs active), experience (1 deployment to Afg), or schools (no badges) to be considered competitive for that type of selection. But I don't want to be "stuck" in case I am able to eventually volunteer for those "Orange" type units.

Basically I'm just looking for any opinions or guidance from people familiar with these programs and could answer which would be the best route to make me successful and competitive to join a unit that I'm interested in. Thanks in advance.

Echo, you obviously have Orange mixed up with someone else if you believe you are going to be making use of both the skill sets you allude to in your initial post.

If you decide to go SF do it because you want to be in Special Forces, not because its a mere springboard to the next "cool" thing you want to do. Your first Team SGT and senior will see right through you and you will end up somewhere in Group you feel is beneath you.

Make up your mind what you want to do and move towards it, be that doing HUMINT for someone more "special," being a "shooter/operator," or as a Special Forces soldier...

Well said Sir.

The grass isnt greener, the sun just shines on it differently from time to time.

YMMV,

Crip

Marauder, I'm currently a SPC(P) and I am aware that most slots are for more "senior" NCOs and Warrants. My TAREX friend said he got picked up at 5 so it's not out of the question. As mentioned earlier I do not have much training or experience. What I do have besides 10 level HUMINT is a lot of random intel courses that I have never really utilized outside of an MFT (MTT Strat-D, Computer Forensics, TSE, and STG). Learning Spanish currently through Rosetta Stone but being that I spoke it as a child, I don't think it'll take too long to grasp it again.

I basically just want to serve in a better capacity than what I am currently. I have been in this analyst position for 3 years and on orders to another INSCOM unit in Germany. My worst fear is being back in a similar slot in Europe as I am in the Pacific now. Honestly, Special Forces has been a goal/dream for me since I was 16. But I don't know in what sense. Before I joined the military and deployed, I thought 18F was as "special" you could get in the intel community. I now know better and it's left me in a bit of a daze.

I apologize for not being specific or more accurate but Orange was the first unit that came to mind. I have a general understanding of their mission but I know that I'm looking to be an intel collector/operator if that exists. As I mentioned to Marauder, Special Forces is the first thing I learned a Soldier could apply for if he felt he had the mental and physical aptitude to perform "unconventionally".

Without getting too detailed per OPSEC, I just want to be able to do different and special intel missions and have the opportunity to attend courses such as SOC, ASOC, airborne, air assault etc. I believe HUMINT and SIGINT work well together and I think that's why my GS buddy pointed me towards USASED. But, I also want to be a special operations Soldier in some manner. I guess I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too.....

OOO, OOO, OOO... Mistah Kott-air... I think I know.....:-|

10 level? :confused: Are you saying you are a skill level 1 (one) E4 and below with no ASI? There is no such thing as a skill level 10, 1 (one) means you are at basic skill (non-supervisor) and O (Oscar) is the letter the Army assigns when you have no other special skill identifier. An ASI is assigned to soldiers who complete special skill schools, such as P (Airborne) V (Ranger) B4 (Sniper) ect, ect. Skill level is by rank, E1-4 = level 1, E5 = level 2, E6 = level 3, E7 = level 4, ect, ect...

EXAMPLE:

35M1O = HUMINT basic E4 and below & no special skills
35M1P = HUMINT Basic E4 and below & Basic Airborne qualified
35M2P = HUMINT Supervisor E5 & Basic Airborne qualified



If oy

If you had half a clue about what an experienced 18F is capable of, you'd eat that last statement....
An 18F is not just the analyst on the team, But an active shooter when the time comes.
The mission of Special Forces extends deeper than what you see or may have read about. We take that whole "Quiet Professional" motto very serious.
Before you dig yourself any deeper, I would suggest that you read more, use the search function, and post less.

Exactly why I joined this board. I don't know squat and there's no SF near me. Well SOCPAC but I don't want to waste their time.

Thanks for that bit of info. Seems like the stuff I do now. Definitely don't want that.

So it's finally explained to me after all these years. I wonder why our instructors and course cadre kept referring to AIT as a 10 level course?

Given the recent revelation it appears you need to concern yourself with learning how to be a better soldier before you worry about being anything else.

Funny, I have a feeling he didn't like my post;)