34yo hoping for SOF option(s)

standbycontact

standbycontact

Verified Military
Joined
Jan 14, 2016
Messages
28
Hello SS community. I'm a 34yo SSgt in the USMCR and am researching options to go SF through any branch that has openings for a prior service guy. PFT 283, CFT 300, Expert Rifle, Expert Pistol, Advanced Swim Qual, 12 mile ruck in 2:58.

Here are the cliffs notes:
A lot of the options people talk about are in forums written several years ago. What is currently (January 2016) my best option/contract/branch for trying to join the SOF community in my situation? Go active duty and drop papers for A&S?

The long version:
Based on all of your forum conversations I've read so far, I've done research ahead of time:
- Talked to Army recruiter: Big Green does not have any options for a prior service guy at my age to join with an 18X or Option 40 contract. They offered me a "long shot": Request an administrative demotion from the Corps to E-5, go active duty with a 68V Respiratory Specialist MOS and then once in the unit, I drop papers to go to A&S. They have no other jobs available.

- I called SORB and they said my best option is to get on active duty as soon as possible (no matter what job is offered) and then drop papers for A&S. According to the Business Rules for Prior Service, there are no E-6 openings unless I speak another language or am Airborne (which I'm not).

-Filled out questionnaire for NG rep63 info with a recruiter and am waiting to hear back.

- MARSOC will not take me. They only allow E4/E5 to apply from the Reserves. The Corps won't let me go active duty at this time (no open slots for an E-6 augmentee in my MOS). I attended A&S in 2011, completed the course but was not selected. They invited me back but I then got selected for SSgt. Talk about a bittersweet promotion, huh?

- Talked to Air Force recruiter and they will only take me as a reservist. They have no PJ reserve options at this time.

-Haven't talked to navy yet but will this week.

I know that people find loopholes to fulfill their dreams. I think my background can offer a lot for this country and I want to serve with some brothers who love this place as much as I do. Hopefully, me asking now isn't too late.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

S/F,
Standby Contact
 
AF Reserve SOF will take you but you have to live close enough and pass their modified PAST. Every unit is different. Skip the Reserve recruiter and reach out to the specific unit's recruiter. As far as I know they are always looking, if you can meet their standards.
 
@Theirb123 You're right. I just talked to the AF Reseve recruiter and he admitted that there are SOF options in the AF Reserve but they discourage people from trying. I looked up the requirements on the PAST and I don't think that would be a problem.

@Red-Dot Texas, but I hear Utah is pretty, where there is a NG SF unit.
 
They said who discourages people from trying? The recruiter or the unit? I believe there are PJ units in Florida, Arizona?, NY, Alaska, Kentucky as well as CCT in Kentucky.
 
standbycontact said:
@Theirb123 You're right. I just talked to the AF Reseve recruiter and he admitted that there are SOF options in the AF Reserve but they discourage people from trying. I looked up the requirements on the PAST and I don't think that would be a problem.

@Red-Dot Texas, but I hear Utah is pretty, where there is a NG SF unit.
Click to expand...
Texas has two SF Companies, and two (three?) Conventional Airborne companies.
 
standbycontact said:
@Theirb123 You're right. I just talked to the AF Reseve recruiter and he admitted that there are SOF options in the AF Reserve but they discourage people from trying. I looked up the requirements on the PAST and I don't think that would be a problem.

@Red-Dot Texas, but I hear Utah is pretty, where there is a NG SF unit.
Click to expand...

You haven't done your research, there is a NG SF unit in TX.
 
@Theirb123 The AFR recruiter said that. He said there is a lot of flying to different places to do the interviews and tests on my own dime. I said, "...and? I'm not letting a few flights stop me from this. I'll do what it takes".

@x SF med You're right. I initially looked at the wrong site.

All, it might be a moot point now to talk about going active Army SF since SORB told me yesterday that their cut-off age is now 36 (in service or prior service), regardless of rank, status, etc. I would have to get a reduction in rank, take a job with a short AIT and try to attend A&S before I'm 36 (14 months from now). Does this change if I go rep 63 (age and rank requirements)? I left a message with the local NG recruiter and filled out a contact form on the NG SF website but haven't heard back yet.

The AFR recruiter said that they would take me at my age for PJ and I could keep my rank.
 
@standbycontact - You could contact the two 19th Group companies in Texas and see if they will let you attend a SFRE while you're still in the Marines, and to see what your options are.
 
Update: my conditional release from the Marine Corps has been submitted. Once that is finished, the Air Force recruiter can talk to me about PJ options.

If anyone has new information on contracts and options for me to try, I'm all ears. I'll update you as things develop.
 
Keep a paper trail on that DD-368. Get the next POC, and start a time stamped message with each rung of the ladder. Follow up on it frequently

It likes to sit motionless on desks sometimes, because people have never seen or processed one before.
 
Hillclimb said:
Keep a paper trail on that DD-368. Get the next POC, and start a time stamped message with each rung of the ladder. Follow up on it frequently

It likes to sit motionless on desks sometimes, because people have never seen or processed one before.
Click to expand...
Golden advice ^^^^^^^

Can be applied to many paperwork actions.
 
@Hillclimb @DA SWO
Roger that, gents. I am all over them. and am "babysitting" the docs as they are changing hands. Luckliy, my unit is only step below the major subordinate command, so there shouldn't be too many hands in the pie.

Update: No love from the NG recruiters. I've left two emails and messages with no reply.

Everyone: Does this AFR deal look to be the best option for me? The waters for what's available/optional are murky.
 
standbycontact said:
@Hillclimb @DA SWO
Roger that, gents. I am all over them. and am "babysitting" the docs as they are changing hands. Luckliy, my unit is only step below the major subordinate command, so there shouldn't be too many hands in the pie.

Update: No love from the NG recruiters. I've left two emails and messages with no reply.

Everyone: Does this AFR deal look to be the best option for me? The waters for what's available/optional are murky.
Click to expand...
I had bad luck dealing with ANG/NG Recruiters, they have enough walk-ins that they tend to ignore phone calls.
 
Gents, I just wanted to update you all and let you know that the inter-service transfer was approved.

After working with my recruiter and a Pararescue representative, I was invited to assess with an AFR RQS in August. We will have to do a little dancing around the time in service restrictions, but it shouldn't be a problem.
For the next few months I'll be getting ready for that. I'm really looking forward to it!
Thank you to all for your helpful advice.
 
Any more news with your progress? Have they done any type of interview process to get out of the way before you do the assessment in August?
 
Thanks for geeping us updated. We do like to see success with our member's SOF quest succeed.
 

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