Advise Needed

[Nick100]

Sorry if this shouldn't be here, it seemed relevant to this. This week I've been in a lot of contemplation in-regards to the recruiter's office, specifically Army Special Forces. Now, you might say "I thought you willed to be in Pararescue?!" I do. However, according to the recruiter it's "overmanned/flooding"... and he's unable to get me it, even though I meet the requirements. My scores were absolutely fine, I took the PAST and managed to pass that. I expressed to him (recruiter) that I wouldn't be happy with being Air Force Security Forces (he said he could give me a contract for that and put PJ pipeline in it, or something to that extent... it would take some years) and I refused.

He questioned more on what I was looking for, and I explained that if I couldn't do something such as Pararescue, my secondary would be infantry or a combat MOS (not CCT, not interested). He retorted this and said something along the lines of an "18X" contract, from what I've researched and understand, is the chance (not a guarantee to become a 'Green Beret') to go to SFAS after Army Basic, and so on.

Now allow me to explain why I'm strung. I know someone fairly close that is within Special Forces, he's always been someone I guess to "go-to"... I met him in this local eatery around here and for the past year or two, he's answered my questions and so on. Lately he's just been telling me he's "got nothing"... it's a little suspect, but whatever. Back on topic, nonetheless... Army Special Force's is WIDELY different from AF CSAR, I understand that 100%. It's two different bills to foot. Unconventional warfare and more or less going "under" the radar (I.E. blending in with one's culture and studying it, in order to gather what you need and train such forces) is right up there in my interests. For a long, long while those two careers have been at the top of my list. I've always got a back-up in case plan A fails and it seems how things are going, its failed.

So my question to those who have served or currently are serving, what exactly do you think?

I understand making my own big boy decisions is a must-have, aswell as relying on my own instinct and self, but would you say that your personal experience was worth the ride.

In other words, should I even try to attempt the training of such godly, well-rounded and respected individuals (though all who serve in the military are)...

 

[Ooh-Rah]

Nick, I had to go back and see that you are only 17.

If you buddy is actually "special forces", the reason he's "got nothing" is because you've driven him crazy for two years.

Because I am not SOF, someone may come by and tell me to get back into my lane (which is short for "mind your own business") and I will, but damn, what do you want to hear? "Yes Nick, YOU CAN DO IT!"...If you want "it" then get into the Army and do "it".

The only reason I am commenting is because it is seems to me that you don't really "WANT" a shot, you simply like the idea of it...you like the idea of being SOF, you like the idea of being Pararescue, etc, but you do not want to put in the time necesessary to earn it.

When I was 17, I "Wanted" to be a Marine. I signed a DEP contract to secure my MOS and screwed up, didn't graduate high-school on time and had to repeat my senior year. Guess what? No Military Police MOS contract for me, nope. But I still "wanted" to be a Marine. So I signed another DEP contract, got my crap together, graduated high school and went to bootcamp, and became a Marine.

If you are asking the should I/Shouldn't I question at this point? Don't become a slacking soldier pouting because you couldn't get the slot you 'wanted'. There are men out there who do "want it" and will have to wait for you to "get out" so that they can go to bootcamp and chase their dream.

 

[Nick100]

I personally don't mind the comment, sir. Thanks for your service and honesty. However, words can't always particularly explain someone's tone. If I came across as not "wanting" a shot and looking for glory, then I seriously need to figure out how to change that. I'll admit, I like the idea of it, hell, I love the idea of it. Of being SOF. Of being in Pararescue. However that's only a portion of it. Everyone does something for a reason, everyone's interest is gauged for a reason. Sometimes for the right, others for wrong sir. I believe it's natural for anyone to want to aspire to the top of the food chain, but that does not mean that I don't see my goals I set clearly. These are two wide goals, two high goals that can't be matched in the amount of effort, physical and mental stamina and time that they will take. I'm not meaning to assert that I'm only doing this for a patch, a title, a uniform or some sort of green cap. I'm doing this for my own better reasons and I guess you can say, determination and enjoyment.

I'm not looking for a "you can do it" because that's all on me. Clearly stated in the black and white that I need to be self-independent, but I can 100% respect most if not all of what you're saying sir. All I'm asking for is a little bit of guidance and personal experience from those who've BTDT. Yours is counted too, and it's appreciated in the utmost.

Thank you, sir.

 

[0699]

1) Spell corectly. It's "advice", not "advise".
2) Enjoy being 17. WTF you are here on the board vice out doing age appropriate behaviors is beyond me. My own son is 17 and he is way too busy enjoying life to hang out on the internet. Things like sports, girls, school, girls, sports, and girls take up ALL his time.
3) Do well in school. Are you getting straight "A"s in all your classes? Especially math, science, and english?
4) Stay physically fit. Your goal shouldn't be to "manage" to pass the fitness test, but to smoke it.
5) Stay away from drugs & alcohol.
6) Don't do anything you know is wrong and stay away from those that do.
7) Don't let anyone talk you into something; if they're trying to convice you, it's probably a bad idea.

That's my advise.

 

[Nick100]

Alright, appreciated there sir.

2) I've got some time to blow.
3) Not exactly A, but I've never dipped below B. Improvement is on-going. Science I'm perfectly fine with, math goes hand and hand with science, English is pretty good. (But seeing as I spelt "advice" wrong. )
4) You got it.
5) Always.
6) Alright.
7) Well-noted, actually.

 

[walra107]

Maturity, Maturity is a big factor. Even if your 17 going on 18, the road you are choosing you need to be mature enough to handle anything like a man. I'm not SOF, but the current place I am in now I have seen many people quit or get dropped simply because they weren't mature enough to handle the tasks at hand, whether it be being able to push your body to the limits, or simple as showing up to formations on time. Good luck!

 

[Nick100]

That's always a requirement. Thanks for your service, sir (if you served)...

 

[walra107]

WHOAAAAAA, I am certainly not a sir! currently serving.... Also, be humble, be ready to accept your faults and embrace them. I knew a lot of Super studs who just couldn't handle not being #1 all the time and not having things go their way. Then they quit.

 

[Nick100]

Got it.

 

[pardus]

If you have an interest in an SOF job that involves medicine (i.e. PJ) and you're 17, I would point you towards becoming a Ranger Medic. Once you have mastered that and matured, then you can look at going SF or PJ.

Probably best if you stop talking to your "SF" friend too, he's either lying to you or doesn't want to talk about it.

My non SOF advice.




p.s. Don't call people Sir in the Military unless they are Officers.

 

[TLDR20]

I am going to tell you what I tell all 17 year olds, go be 17. I personally went to Selection at 18. Do you know what I was doing one year before that? Chilling at the beach everyday and chasing girls. The same things you should be doing.

 

[Nick100]

If you have an interest in an SOF job that involves medicine (i.e. PJ) and you're 17, I would point you towards becoming a Ranger Medic. Once you have mastered that and matured, then you can look at going SF or PJ.

Probably best if you stop talking to your "SF" friend too, he's either lying to you or doesn't want to talk about it.

My non SOF advice.




p.s. Don't call people Sir in the Military unless they are Officers.

Ranger Medic, as in, 75th Ranger Regiment? That's quote a longshot in itself too, but I suppose little pieces come together to make a puzzle. Thanks for the advice er- Sergeant, I'm going to guess? Only due to the fact that you're Special Forces. Thanks for your service.

As for my SF friend, I don't know about him not talking about it. He seems pretty open to speaking about his 'adventures' in Peru, Panama, Iraq, etc. Apparently he's even gotten a Silver Star, don't know. But alright, probably should stop talking to the guy.

I appreciate the words of wisdom.

I am going to tell you what I tell all 17 year olds, go be 17. I personally went to Selection at 18. Do you know what I was doing one year before that? Chilling at the beach everyday and chasing girls. The same things you should be doing.

I understand what you're getting at there, though I'm turning 18 in two months. But again, it's appreciated. Thank you for your service, too.

 

[CDG]

It's my understanding based on your posts that you still ultimately would like the shot to end up as a PJ. And a combat-oriented careerfield is your secondary choice in the interim. Have you considered TACP?

 

[Muppet]

Ranger Medic, as in, 75th Ranger Regiment? That's quote a longshot in itself too, but I suppose little pieces come together to make a puzzle. Thanks for the advice er- Sergeant, I'm going to guess? Only due to the fact that you're Special Forces. Thanks for your service.

As for my SF friend, I don't know about him not talking about it. He seems pretty open to speaking about his 'adventures' in Peru, Panama, Iraq, etc. Apparently he's even gotten a Silver Star, don't know. But alright, probably should stop talking to the guy.

I appreciate the words of wisdom.

So, a longshot? More than S.F.? It's all difficult but if you want to do it, you will. Disclaimer: Not a Ranger. Just a Paratrooper and medic.

F.M.

 

[TLDR20]

I understand what you're getting at there, though I'm turning 18 in two months. But again, it's appreciated. Thank you for your service, too.

Do you understand what I am getting at? Do you understand that when I was just a little older than you, I went out and did something very similar to what you yourself want to do? At the same age? Listen here young buc I am just going to be realistic with you, as an 18 year old your chances of getting into a SOF unit other than Ranger Bn are almost zero. SF won't take you, you would quit BUDS and you will probably fail indoc if you make it in the AF. But hey what do I know?

Maturity had more to do with any high speed units than anything else.

 

[pardus]

Ranger Medic, as in, 75th Ranger Regiment? That's quote a longshot in itself too, but I suppose little pieces come together to make a puzzle. Thanks for the advice er- Sergeant, I'm going to guess? Only due to the fact that you're Special Forces. Thanks for your service.

As for my SF friend, I don't know about him not talking about it. He seems pretty open to speaking about his 'adventures' in Peru, Panama, Iraq, etc. Apparently he's even gotten a Silver Star, don't know. But alright, probably should stop talking to the guy.

I appreciate the words of wisdom.

I am not, nor have ever been SF, as I stated in my previous post.

If I were you I would listen very closely to what cback0220 has to say.

 

[Polar Bear]

Kid I got one thing for you, read it, heed it. If you want something, go for it or shut up.

 

[Nick100]

Do you understand what I am getting at? Do you understand that when I was just a little older than you, I went out and did something very similar to what you yourself want to do? At the same age? Listen here young buc I am just going to be realistic with you, as an 18 year old your chances of getting into a SOF unit other than Ranger Bn are almost zero. SF won't take you, you would quit BUDS and you will probably fail indoc if you make it in the AF. But hey what do I know?

Maturity had more to do with any high speed units than anything else.

I do and admire that. I'm not at all questioning any of your knowledge or integrity, in fact, I'm noting it down and thoroughly processing all the advice given here. All the information I get can only help me. The only way I'd want it is if you are realistic with me and I'm glad you're doing just that. Don't mind if I ask you, but you were 18 when you did this. You'd know better then me. You went out and took a big challenge by the horns and put it down, that's what I'm looking to size up. Because the way I see it, is even if I go out there and get brutally beaten, at the very least I still managed to hold on the full time. I don't know, I guess what I'm saying is taking risk to achieve is needed, right?

 

[ZmanTX]

Sorry if this shouldn't be here, it seemed relevant to this. This week I've been in a lot of contemplation in-regards to the recruiter's office, specifically Army Special Forces. Now, you might say "I thought you willed to be in Pararescue?!" I do. However, according to the recruiter it's "overmanned/flooding"... and he's unable to get me it, even though I meet the requirements. My scores were absolutely fine, I took the PAST and managed to pass that. I expressed to him (recruiter) that I wouldn't be happy with being Air Force Security Forces (he said he could give me a contract for that and put PJ pipeline in it, or something to that extent... it would take some years) and I refused.

He questioned more on what I was looking for, and I explained that if I couldn't do something such as Pararescue, my secondary would be infantry or a combat MOS (not CCT, not interested). He retorted this and said something along the lines of an "18X" contract, from what I've researched and understand, is the chance (not a guarantee to become a 'Green Beret') to go to SFAS after Army Basic, and so on.

Now allow me to explain why I'm strung. I know someone fairly close that is within Special Forces, he's always been someone I guess to "go-to"... I met him in this local eatery around here and for the past year or two, he's answered my questions and so on. Lately he's just been telling me he's "got nothing"... it's a little suspect, but whatever. Back on topic, nonetheless... Army Special Force's is WIDELY different from AF CSAR, I understand that 100%. It's two different bills to foot. Unconventional warfare and more or less going "under" the radar (I.E. blending in with one's culture and studying it, in order to gather what you need and train such forces) is right up there in my interests. For a long, long while those two careers have been at the top of my list. I've always got a back-up in case plan A fails and it seems how things are going, its failed.

So my question to those who have served or currently are serving, what exactly do you think?

I understand making my own big boy decisions is a must-have, aswell as relying on my own instinct and self, but would you say that your personal experience was worth the ride.

In other words, should I even try to attempt the training of such godly, well-rounded and respected individuals (though all who serve in the military are)...

Did you take the PAST in DEP?

 

[x SF med]

Nick...

Why does it seem that this is a deja vu moment.... Oh, because it is... Here are the basics you should have in your rucksack at all times, as defined by General Colin Powell in the late 70's early 80's:

General Colin Powell's Rules for Life

1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning. This rule reflects an attitude and not a prediction. I have always tried to keep my confidence and optimism up, no matter how difficult the situation. Things will get better. You will make them better.
2. Get mad, then get over it. I’ve worked hard over the years to make sure that when I get mad, I get over it quickly and never lose control of myself.
3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it. Accept that your position was faulty, not your ego. Loyalty is disagreeing strongly, and loyalty is executing faithfully.
4. It can be done! Don’t surround yourself with instant skeptics. At the same time, don’t shut out skeptics and colleagues who give you solid counterviews.
5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it. Don’t rush into things.
6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision. Superior leadership is often a matter of superb instinct. Often, the factual analysis alone will indicate the right choice. More often, your judgment will be needed to select from the best courses of action.
7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours. Since ultimate responsibility is yours, make sure the choice is yours and you are not responding to the pressure and desire of others.
8. Check small things. Success ultimately rests on small things, lots of small things. Leaders have to have a feel for small things—a feel for what is going on in the depths of an organization where small things reside. The followers, the troops, live in a world of small things. Leaders must find ways, formal and informal, to get visibility into that world.
9. Share credit. People need recognition and a sense of worth as much as they need food and water. Share the credit, take the blame, and quietly find out and fix things that went wrong. Whenever you place the cause of one of your actions outside yourself, it’s an excuse and not a reason.
10. Remain calm. Be kind. In the “heat of the battle”—whether military or corporate—kindness, like calmness, reassures followers and holds their confidence. Kindness connects you with other human beings in a bond of mutual respect. If you care for your followers and show them kindness, they will recognize and care for you.
11. Have a vision. Be demanding. Purpose is the destination of a vision. It energizes that vision, gives it force and drive. It should be positive and powerful, and serve the better angels of an organization.
12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers. Fear is a normal human emotion. It is not in itself a killer. We can learn to be aware when fear grips us, and can train to operate through and in spite of our fear. If, on the other hand, we don’t understand that fear is normal and has to be controlled and overcome, it will paralyze us and stop us in our tracks. We will no longer think clearly or analyze rationally. We prepare for it and control it; we never let it control us. If it does, we cannot lead.
13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. Perpetual optimism, believing in yourself, believing in your purpose, believing you will prevail, and demonstrating passion and confidence is a force multiplier. If you believe and have prepared your followers, the followers will believe.

I have had these posed on my wall (without the commentary after the bolding) for many years... Think about them and why I'm sharing them with you right now.