Career Advice

[farmer175]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting here, and I’m very new to the military, so please excuse any misconceptions or naivete I may have about certain subjects. I’m a college freshman majoring in Electrical/Computer Engineering and recently enlisted as a 35P (Cryptologic Linguist) in the National Guard. I ship out in May 2026, so I’ll have a full year of school before heading to basic.

I initially joined for the monetary benefits, but being part of the armed forces has always been a lifelong goal of mine. My assigned language at DLI will be Arabic for all intents and purposes.

My goal is to eventually become an officer, either by finishing my degree after training or, if possible, having enough credits to attend OCS and continue serving in the Guard while pursuing a strong civilian career or go active.

It has also been a dream of mine to join the SOF community, and from my research, SOT-A seems to be a potential path for the 35P MOS. If given the opportunity, I’d be ecstatic to pursue becoming a Green Beret someday. I’ve been very active athletically—currently playing college sports and having served as team captain in high school—so while I know sports don’t directly translate to selection success, I hope the discipline and conditioning will help. I apologize for the long post and the lack of a single direct question, but I’d love to hear from those with experience:

• What pipeline or path would you recommend for someone in my position?
• If you could do it again, what route would you have taken?

Although I’m only 18, my long-term goal is to build a family one day, so I know that will influence my decisions as well. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
farmer175

 

[Box]

35P as a SOT-A enabler is not a stepping stone to becoming an 18 Series. SFAS is the only stepping stone.

Here's my two cents as a washed up, pear shaped retired Soldier that splits his time into being a civil servant for the US Army, and a life long burden on the American taxpayer thanks to a military pension and a monthly VA disability payment...:
You want to be a lot of things:
- 35P (Cryptologic Linguist) in the National Guard
- an officer
- 18 Series

At some point - ya' gotta pick one.

If you want to be an SF guy - don't dawdle - go to selection and get it over with. Everything else is either a distraction or wasted time unless you decide on a career path that DOESNT end up in an ODA team room.

Just my two cents

 

[farmer175]

35P as a SOT-A enabler is not a stepping stone to becoming an 18 Series. SFAS is the only stepping stone.

Here's my two cents as a washed up, pear shaped retired Soldier that splits his time into being a civil servant for the US Army, and a life long burden on the American taxpayer thanks to a military pension and a monthly VA disability payment...:
You want to be a lot of things:
- 35P (Cryptologic Linguist) in the National Guard
- an officer
- 18 Series

At some point - ya' gotta pick one.

If you want to be an SF guy - don't dawdle - go to selection and get it over with. Everything else is either a distraction or wasted time unless you decide on a career path that DOESNT end up in an ODA team room.

Just my two cents

Thank you for the response. I know long term 35p and eventually becoming an officer would be really good for me, however I don't want to regret not pursuing special forces later in life. I definitely will heed your advice, once again I apologize for my lack of direction. Since I am already enlisted in the National Guard what would be my quickest way to special forces selection if I pursue that option?

 

[AWP]

continue serving in the Guard while pursuing a strong civilian career

Good luck with that. Make sure to get a job with a government org or own a business than can survive without you being present for long stretches at a time.

 

[Box]

Since I am already enlisted in the National Guard what would be my quickest way to special forces selection if I pursue that option?

You could wait until after Basic/AIT and then put in an application to go to SFAS, or you could go back and talk to the recruiter about going on active duty as an 18X instead of NG time as a 35P

 

[farmer175]

You could wait until after Basic/AIT and then put in an application to go to SFAS, or you could go back and talk to the recruiter about going on active duty as an 18X instead of NG time as a 35P

I apologize for asking many questions but if I could combine my paths and choose to be an officer in special forces? I read that you need to be an O-2 to apply?

 

[Cookie_]

I apologize for asking many questions but if I could combine my paths and choose to be an officer in special forces? I read that you need to be an O-2 to apply?

You've got the right info; there isn't an 18x equivalent for officers.

What pipeline or path would you recommend for someone in my position?

It's clear from the thread that you need to put some more time into deciding what you are actually looking for.
It's not uncommon to be enlisted before officer, or another MOS before attempting selection, but why do one if the other is your real end goal?
Build out the pros/cons for each and set yourself a legit target.

If you could do it again, what route would you have taken?

Sometimes I wish I knew more about the Army before enlisting. Maybe I'd have still joined as a cook, but I'd have gotten Ranger Regiment in my initial contract. Maybe I'd have reclassed to be a medic/Intel guy when I had those brief windows of opportunities.

That doesn't mean I'm unhappy where I ended up; i think I've done some of the coolest shit my MOS can do in the Army! Every career can be a satisfying one if you have drive and pursue opportunities.

 

[Box]

The SF officer route is different than the enlisted route. The lowest ranking commissioned officer on an ODA is a Captain- there are no LT's on an A-Team. I can't help you with "facts" about the accessions process to becoming an SF Officer.

SF Warrant Officers are an entirely different discussion.

 

[AWP]

If only there was a place to find out the minimums to be an 18A...

https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/SF/
Special Forces Officer

I don't know if the Guard cares about Year Groups, but it would not surprise me if one of the biggest roadblocks to many 18A wannabes is the year group window. A few years ago you had a 2 year window, 3 at best if my memory's failed.