First Post

I was an active Army 12B with the 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg from 02-06. I got out, went to school and just finished my bachelors degree. My eventual goal is to be an 18A and I've gathered what I believe to be most of the info on how to achieve this, either going straight to OCS, then a few years conventional before SFAS, or 18x, a few years as an NCO, OCS, a few years conventional, then the Q-course as an officer. I'm 27, will be 28 when I go back in next year hopefully, so time is a factor.

Although I was an NCO my last year in, I'm inclined towards setting my sights on being an SF NCO for several years before going to OCS and moving towards 18A. It means extra time but hypothetically I could get OCS well before I was 35 (cutoff age for active OCS applicants).

It's my understanding that officers applying to SFAS have a more narrow window during which to get to SFAS. In addition to wanting SF experience as an NCO before going for 18A, this also seems like a safer bet and a route with fewer possible roadblocks to getting into what I have heard and what I believe must be the best career path in the Army.

I'm trying to cut down on the number of unknown variables in this plan and hopefully find some advice/insight from those with firsthand knowledge of these endeavors. So I guess I'm asking if anyone knows of factors important to this process that I'm likely ignorant of, and if anyone has opinions as to which path is best.

Thanks for allowing me into this forum!

Charlie
 
I'm currently a college student, and a holder of an 18X contract as of the past Halloween. When I entered into college I knew I would be pursuing this path, but when I learned of an ROTC program on campus, I participated in it to get an introduction into the Army and the way things are done. It did give me an idea of what the Army is like. I learned very basic skills, from marching and formations, land nav, weapons operations, and so on. Currently in school, I'm continuing my study of Spanish, and starting to study Arabic. On a side note, I shot on my state's junior Service Rifle team for a few years back in high school, and love participating in long range shooting competitions.

I've always been interested in SOF, but particular Army SF because of their involvement with local populations and different cultures, and larger focus on unconventional warfare versus the more direct action focus of other units.

Currently, I'm training on my own, doing two ruck marches a week with about 60lbs in my ALICE pack. At the moment, I'm doing 8 miles in about two hours. My goal in the near future is to do 12 miles in 3 hours. Also, heading to the gym daily to increase my strength in all areas. In addition, I'm working hard to max out my APFT.

My COA 1 is to make it through OSUT, BAC, SPOC, SFAS, make it through the pipeline, and then serve on an ODA for a long period of time. My COA 2 is to serve as an airborne infantryman, physically prepare and once I can apply to SFAS again, to do so.
 
AvidAngler said:
I'm currently a college student, and a holder of an 18X contract as of the past Halloween. When I entered into college I knew I would be pursuing this path, but when I learned of an ROTC program on campus, I participated in it to get an introduction into the Army and the way things are done. It did give me an idea of what the Army is like. I learned very basic skills, from marching and formations, land nav, weapons operations, and so on. Currently in school, I'm continuing my study of Spanish, and starting to study Arabic. On a side note, I shot on my state's junior Service Rifle team for a few years back in high school, and love participating in long range shooting competitions.

I've always been interested in SOF, but particular Army SF because of their involvement with local populations and different cultures, and larger focus on unconventional warfare versus the more direct action focus of other units.

Currently, I'm training on my own, doing two ruck marches a week with about 60lbs in my ALICE pack. At the moment, I'm doing 8 miles in about two hours. My goal in the near future is to do 12 miles in 3 hours. Also, heading to the gym daily to increase my strength in all areas. In addition, I'm working hard to max out my APFT.

My COA 1 is to make it through OSUT, BAC, SPOC, SFAS, make it through the pipeline, and then serve on an ODA for a long period of time. My COA 2 is to serve as an airborne infantryman, physically prepare and once I can apply to SFAS again, to do so.
Click to expand...

Are you dropping out and enlisting or finishing up and coming in as an officer?
 
11A, former LRS guy. Currently working full-time with Ga Guard. I have been very blessed in my career by being surrounded by some outstanding NCOs. In the spirit of the Alamo Scouts, who picked their team leaders, what are the NCOs looking for in a SF team leader?

I have just started preparing myself physically for SFAS. I will have to attend a tryout with 20th Group before they will send me to SFAS. I have some hooah schools under my belt but want to ensure I can be an asset to a team.

Thanks
 
Spider6 said:
In the spirit of the Alamo Scouts, who picked their team leaders, what are the NCOs looking for in a SF team leader?
Click to expand...

Spider,

The 2 key words in your question: TEAM and LEADER. For the most part, Team Leaders are temporary hired help. I don't mean this in a derogatory manner but a simple statement of fact. Team Leader tenure is usually short compared to the NCOs who are the life blood of the team. The Team Leader position is a chance to learn a profession, apply leadership techniques and management skills in an extremely demanding atmosphere. IF, you make it thru SFAS, drop me a PM. I will send you the short boiled down, in a nutshell briefing I used to give an O when he was assigned to my team explaining what he should focus on to ensure he had a successful command tour as a Special Forces Team Leader.
 
Alright Cback im posting :

Hello all, im currently a High School Senior and have been looking into 18X for approximately 5 months now.
Im a JROTC cadet, received an 84 on my ASVAB with a 121 GT
I work out everyday at 430 as well as serve as a personal physical trainer with other students from my school.
I meet all requirement for the army and want to serve as long as possible.

Now, I know tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people "want to be Special Forces" because they want to be whats shown in movies, the A-Team that busts into a country, and walks out after doing ridiculous stuff lol. But, I have a different motive in mind. I would actually like to be on an FID team, and get to, instead of causing tons of destruction, help other countries.
 
Taylor said:
Alright Cback im posting :

Hello all, im currently a High School Senior and have been looking into 18X for approximately 5 months now.
Im a JROTC cadet, received an 84 on my ASVAB with a 121 GT
I work out everyday at 430 as well as serve as a personal physical trainer with other students from my school.
I meet all requirement for the army and want to serve as long as possible.

Now, I know tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people "want to be Special Forces" because they want to be whats shown in movies, the A-Team that busts into a country, and walks out after doing ridiculous stuff lol. But, I have a different motive in mind. I would actually like to be on an FID team, and get to, instead of causing tons of destruction, help other countries.
Click to expand...

Let me explain why I "Hate" your post. You were already told multiple times to fix your grammar, and in the Mentor thread where you post specifically to be evaluated by current and former SOF personnel, this sorry-ass excuse for a post is what you come up with? I am not going to deign to speak about whether you're qualified or not, or anything else like that, but I will say that as another SF wannabe I would not want you in my class based on the way you present yourself here.
 
What is incorrect about my grammar? I was told by Cback to post what I want to do. So, that's what I did.
 
Taylor said:
Alright Cback, I'm posting.

Hello all, I'm currently a High School senior and have been looking into 18X for approximately 5 months now.
I'm a JROTC cadet, and received an 84 on my ASVAB with a 121 GT.
I work out everyday at 4:30 (Unless you meant "0430".) as well as serve as a personal physical trainer with (Is this correct? Or did you mean "for"?) other students from my school.
I meet all requirements for the Army and want to serve as long as possible.

Now, I know tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people "want to be Special Forces" because they want to be what's shown in movies; the A-Team that busts into a country (No comma needed here.) and walks out after doing ridiculous stuff. lol. But, I have a different motive in mind. I would actually like to be on an FID team, and get to, instead of causing tons of destruction, help other countries.
Click to expand...
 
Ah, Roger. I'll triple check before posting.
I did mean 0430 and also, "with other students from my school."
 
Taylor said:
Alright Cback im posting :

Hello all, im currently a High School Senior and have been looking into 18X for approximately 5 months now.
Im a JROTC cadet, received an 84 on my ASVAB with a 121 GT
I work out everyday at 430 as well as serve as a personal physical trainer with other students from my school.
I meet all requirement for the army and want to serve as long as possible.

Now, I know tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people "want to be Special Forces" because they want to be whats shown in movies, the A-Team that busts into a country, and walks out after doing ridiculous stuff lol. But, I have a different motive in mind. I would actually like to be on an FID team, and get to, instead of causing tons of destruction, help other countries.
Click to expand...

Taylor, I think your intentions here are good. You want to serve your country and that's admirable in my book.
A few things you have to realize though. This website is a community of professionals who have done all the things you want to do and more. If you're being scrutinized, it's probably for a good reason. Take the advice that's being offered to you, regardless of how it's conveyed. I've had my dick stomped here on more than one occasion. I quit during my SOF pipeline. I've been told to stay in my lane by the admin. CDG just hated one of my posts yesterday. :D I learned my lessons and I'm still around. Most of my contributions are limited to a few specific areas of this website. I know when I have no business chiming in on something. You're 1 day in with 11 posts already. Ask questions after doing your research and be a sponge.
Again, I fully believe your heart is in the right place and I admire what you're trying to achieve.
I hope this helps some.
 

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