First Post

[kb2012]

Good Afternoon,

My name is Kevin and I'm currently a college senior. I'm in the Marine Corps Officer Program with OSO Atlanta. I've had quite a bumpy ride with this program (been at this for three years now) from tattoo waiver issues (cleared under new policy) and getting disqualified from flying (green color deficiency). Nonetheless, I have stuck with it because this is absolutely what I want to do with my life.

My goal is to eventually become a Reconnaissance Marine. I was a freshman in college, with no purpose or direction, and I asked myself what I wanted to do with my life. The military had always been my back up plan, coming from a military household, and one day I decided to look into it a little bit more. I looked into the Army, Navy, and Air Force and although I had never worked out a day in my life up until that point, the physical standards just seemed easy and I never associated the military with easy. I could pass the bare minimums for these three services and asked if I was selling myself short. My dad is a retired Marine, and I always knew the Marine Corps was tough, and I never thought I could do it. But as I looked more and more into it, this thought kept nagging at me: "Why the fuck not?" I started training everyday and as I learned the physical capabilities I could achieve, as well as acquiring the drive to better myself every day mentally, physically, and emotionally, it became somewhat of an addiction. I wanted to do more. I wanted to be more. Every day presented an opportunity to go do something crazy like go run 10 miles for the hell of it (at the time, I thought 10 miles made me an elite marathon runner). People looking at things I do or have done and saying "You're crazy" or "I could never do that" became motivation for me to continue to challenge myself and push myself outside of my comfort zone.

Eventually, I learned about Recon. To me, Recon was old school tough. No frills, just balls and heart. Recon Marines were the Marines that other Marines looked at said the same things: "You're crazy" or "I could never do that" and I knew that if I made it into the Marine Corps, that's who I wanted to be. However, knowing that my chances of becoming a Recon Marine were slim to none, I pursued other options. My OSO said it would be a great idea to pursue an air contract, because that typically makes one more competitive for selection. I passed the ASTB with a 6/7/7 and went to Pensacola for my flight physical, only to get disqualified for color deficiency. If nothing else, this reinforced my motivation to pursue a ground contract with Recon in mind.

Currently, I am a senior in college graduating in December. After three long years in the program, I am officially contracted. I have my board PFT this month and I'll be on the selection board next month for Winter OCC. I've taken on much more responsibility in my life than a typical college kid would, earning a promotion to assistant manager at my company (working 46 hours a week), keeping my GPA up (3.4), taking a full course load and still staying in shape. I did this purposely because I knew it would help me mature beyond most kids my age, improve my time management, and give me some (albeit a small amount of) leadership experience. I'm hoping this will help my application stand out on the selection board. My 25m target is getting to OCS and destroying it. After that, we'll see how the cards fall. Obviously, I'm shooting for Infantry Officer or Ground Intelligence Officer, as these are the only two officer MOS' that pipeline into Recon. But if at the end of the day I make it to BRC and fail, or never get the chance to go, I'll still know that I gave it everything I had and becoming a Marine Corps Officer is something to be damn proud of.

Respectfully,
Kevin B.

 

[Cheddar]

Good Evening All,

I am a former Marine airwing POG. Served 9 years then did a year as a contractor as a flight planer for the Air Force. After a year contracting I started Mechanical Engineering school, and I am currently a Senior. After leaving the Corps, I immediately knew I wanted more, and in a different capacity. As a POG I never truly felt I served to my greatest potential. I was determined to get my degree after leaving so I have remained committed to school, but have been researching and evaluating options to re-enter service for 3 years now. With one year left to graduation I am starting to get in touch with recruiters, and dialing in/ramping up PT from general Crossfit/Powerlifting fitness to long runs, rucks, and Metcons. Originally I was planning on just joining a NH or MA Guard unit as an 11B and trying to get to an SFRE as soon as possible. Ideally for me, as an older guy, I'd like to get into the Guard and a SFRE before graduation, so I could graduate and hit Selection running. I realize there is a lot in between here and there.

I am extremely grateful for this platform and anyone able to afford me advise or information. I know nothing about navigating the Guard path to SF and I would really appreciate any advise from someone familiar.


S/F
Adam

 

[FacFortia]

Howdy y'all,

My name's Dan, I'm a Senior in high school from Georgetown, TX. I enlisted in the Marine Corps DEP this past July. I'm graduating a semester early next month in order to receive a Recon contract that ships in the spring.

Before I made the commitment to becoming a Marine, I heavily researched every branch (except the USCG, sorry Coasties) so I could make the most informed decision and not leave any stone unturned. Ultimately, what made me decide on the Marine Corps was it's mission (being the nation's expeditionary/"9-1-1" force and the amphibious warfare specialists of the U.S. military to me is incredibly badass), and the fact that Marines the elite of the elite and have the strongest sense of camaraderie and esprit de corps in the military; the brotherhood I've formed with my fellow Poolees in just the short time I've been DEP'd is truly the strongest, tightest bond I've ever had with anyone. I've always wanted to serve my country and be a part of something bigger than myself: the Marine Corps is that something.

In regard my desired MOS... when I walked into my recruiter's office for the first time we sat down and talked about what I was interested in doing in the Corps and what I was qualified for based on my ASVAB, but I already knew. I want to be a Reconaissance Marine. I grew up watching all the old movies and hearing stories from my uncles (both are Marines) about their friends that served in a Recon battalion; I idolized them. I loved the sound of the mission of gathering Intel behind enemy lines so that my brothers behind me could have the most possible success in their mission and live to fight another day.

I've always had an intense desire to challenge myself and push my body and mind to the highest summits of what's humanly possible; I enlisted in the Corps to serve the nation I love and be the elite of the elite. Recon Marines are the elite of the elite of the elite, and I want to be a part of that and know what it takes to get there.

Since I got approval from my SNCOIC to receive a Recon contract, I've been dedicating my time outside of the classroom to PT'ing and absorbing every last shred of information I can about what to expect and how to be most successful in boot camp and BRC. For quite some time I've been searching for a Recon Marine that is willing to mentor me and help me to achieve my goal, but my recruiter does not know of any Marines that have served in a Recon battalion willing to help me, so I've come searching here on SS.

I really appreciate the time you all take out of your lives to contributing to this great resource and wealth of information for us SOF wannabes. I'm very happy to be here.

 

[Festivus4]

Hello Gentlemen of Shadow Spear,

As a child I always knew I wanted to be soldier, of course I didn't know what that meant, but I knew I wanted to do it. As I grew up, I did a little research and easily determined I wanted to serve as an infantryman, and more so, wanted to be a Ranger.

I wanted To be a Ranger for a variety of reasons. I've already read the warning about not saying "I want to be the Best", but I'd be lying if I didn't like that they have a reputation for being badass, that I like the Beret, and think "Ranger" has a certain ring to it. But that's not the only reason I want to be a Ranger, of course not. The Reason I came to the conclusion I wanted to be a Ranger was Simple. I wanted to Be infantry. I knew I wanted to be in the Army, and knew I wanted to be Airborne. Finally I Settled on SF or Rangers, and though the mission of Special Forces is no doubt interesting, I wanted to be a Ranger because they are the ones doing the Job I wanted to do. But I don't think that answer is satifactory, but rather than answering why I want to be a Ranger specifically, I think the reason I want to serve at all would be best. I want to serve in the Military Because I want to serve my country, I want to protect our country and the people who live in it. I want to protect their way of life. Further more I want to help people. I want to do good and make a difference in the World. And while I can do that as an infantryman or part of the "big army", I feel I can accomplish these life goals to an even greater degree as a member of SOF, or specifically, as a Ranger.

Now that I'm 17, and a Junior in High School, I know I'm ready to start my enlistment process into the military. I hope to secure an 11X Option 40 Contract and begin preparing for RASP. This is why I joined ShadowSpear, and now why I wish to join a mentor program.

Coming into High School I knew I wanted to join the Army, and further wanted to be a Ranger. My first step for preparing was joining my AJROTC unit in my High School. There I have learned the basics of Drill and Ceremony, Physical Fitness, and have little insight into military culture.

Though I had been doing research online, I had never really taken the first real step to prepare for RASP my Sophmore Year. That Year was when everything was starting to get real. I had friends talking to recruiters, and others already enlisting (older friends of course), even one enlisting through an 11X Option 40 Contract. That year I buckled down PT. The only problem was that I really didn't know how to prepare. I went on a Caloric Surplus, becuase I was "bulking", but I was 15 and didn't actually know what I was doing, so it was more like "getting fat". I didn't run or do pull-ups or any calisthenics, but I did lift heavy and get pretty strong. After a year of this I came to a brutal realization. I couldn't do a pullup, my 2 mile was way over 20 minutes, and I weighed 230lbs (I'm 6'2 but still, that's pretty big). That's when I re-buckled down on PT, this time on Running, Push-ups, Pull-ups, and sit-ups. In the following months I dropped 30lbs, I boosted my Scores in all areas, and began running, a lot. I am still not as fit as I should be, or need to be, but I've made what I feel to be strong improvements and I hope to continue this trend until I ship for Basic.

Now I'm looking for a Mentor who can hopefully guide me in the right direction. As of know, all I know is that I need to get a perfect PFT Score, but beyond that I have no idea on how to prepare for Ruck Marches, Swim Qualification, etc.

Before I Post, I want to make sure I Say that I am incredibly grateful to have a resource as reliable and helpful as this one, and I truly appreciate any help I can get.

 

[Dustin Yates]

Well, I might as well get this one out of the way-

Hey everyone,

I'm a 27 year old, former Corpsman. I essentially grew up in a hospital (going to work with my mother, who is still a nurse). To prevent this from looking like a "pity me" post, I didn't have the easiest childhood- As far as childhoods go, anyways. I put that in here because it tends to make people a bit colder to other people, in a way. Makes someone a bit apathetic in developmental stages, I guess. Anyways, when I was 16 I graduated, joined a band, screwed around, and one day woke up and realized what absolute pieces of shit the people around me were.

Fast forward a couple of years and I'm talking to a Navy Recruiter. He said "What do you want to do?" Naturally, being raised around medicine, I say "Ehh, something with medical would be cool. I know the navy doesn't exactly have a combat medic or anything, but the Marines told me they didn't have medics." The recruiter said, "Well, there's HM, actually." I perked up a little bit, took a sip of my monster, to see if he would elaborate, and said "What do they do?" He shrugged and said "I don't really know. Corpsmen kinda do their own thing." After a week of research, I was signing papers at MEPS.

Fast forward again to graduating FMTB (Field Medical Training Battalion). Most of you guys understand the feeling of one of your favorite instructors tacking on an emblem that you just earned through sweat and effort... And a feeling of purpose. So I get sent to Hawai'i, which I was, at the time, thrilled about. Little did I know that I would be doing Search and Rescue, which sounds high speed, but in reality, the command didn't deploy, had no sick call, and I had no senior Corpsman to instruct me. Only Boatswain's Mates, engineers, and electricians. There's a building nearby where 4th Force Recon reservists did their time with a Chief that helped us out. Six months of doing nothing but their jobs goes by and I'm basically twitching and foaming at the mouth because I can't do my job. No true OJT, no help, and no desire from the command to have someone's lifeline well-trained. I start harassing the everloving crap out of my CoC to get me with Marines- some exposure, some kind of actual thing that a Corpsman is supposed to do. So I end up doing something called Corpsman Coverage (The Marines require a corpsman present with most of their training and activities). So I volunteer for all of it. All of the hikes, the marches, the gas chambers, range exercises, the swim qualifications, EOD range walks and Det practices, even a Blue Angels controlled demo of like a 1,000 yard wall of fire that Marine EOD set up. Around the Marines, I was alert, active, moving, doing my job, assessing any medical question they had. So I ask my command for more. They attach me to 3rd Marines BAS with TAD or something like that. It's been a while. While I'm there, they go into pre-deployment work-ups and work on my orders to get there. I have no idea how they intended to do it, but my command shot it down.

After that, it resumed as normal, with the coverages. Until a helicopter crashed in Kaneohe Bay while I was at the PX. I heard the boom and the woman at the register said a helicopter crashed in the bay. So I get in my car and drive to my command. We hop in a boat and take off. We have to anchor the boat 200 yards from the site so the engines don't fry because of sand. People are screaming in the night, I smell blood and hydraulic fluid. I swim with a flood light and my med bag to get to the site. One young Marine was killed on impact. The other three were critically injured, but made mostly full recoveries.

I own a comic book shop, I have a girlfriend, and a stable and decent paying job. I am more drawn to being a SARC Corpsman than anything in my life. It may seem petty to many of the operators on this forum, but I can feel it in my bones that I was meant to do more than this. I don't know how to explain it. Maybe it's just me being an idiot? I want the life. I want the brotherhood, the challenge, the highs and lows, the teamwork, the deteriorated cartilage in my knees, when I'm 40, if I make it that far. I want something worthwhile to devote the full force of my effort to. And I've never felt so pissed on as being denied my calling. I don't know if I can pass through everything that I need to in order to get there- But I guess that's why I'm here. To try to prepare.

Thanks for your time, guys. No clue what else to say.

 

[rockpop]

Hello all,
I'm a 30yr old male looking to join the guard with a rep 63 contract by mid next year. I work for an oil company in south TX and am currently working on peak fitness, finances, and time management as there are only 24 hours in a day. I've always been drawn to the military and being I'm already up in age it's now or never. I have thought over this decision for quite some time now and I feel it is necessary to take the next step which is getting my finances in check and getting into top physical shape. I look forward to absorbing and utilizing as much info as I can to ensure success through this process.

Thank you for your time.

 

[JimboSlice]

Hello everyone.
I'd like to start by saying I've been lurking on Shadow Spear for longer than I've had a profile. In my intro I described my very brief military background. I am a member of ARNG and hold the MOS 31B (Military Police). I've been in the Guard for 2 years now. I joined during my senior year of High School at the age of 17. For much of my life I have found that I wanted to serve in some form. For a long while I was (and in some ways still am) interested in law enforcement. However, as time went on I became interested in the military. I always had a great deal of admiration for SF. It was something I thought long and hard about in my high school years. I didn't think I was anywhere near qualified to even think about it, but still wanted to serve. I ended up speaking with a close family friend about the military. He had been in the National Guard for 20 years and had just recently retired. He was the one that told me about the Guard as prior to that I only really knew about Active and Reserve components. I ended up going through with the Guard. I told my recruiter I wanted 31B mainly because I was impatient. I had friends whom were older than me and getting hired to police departments. I wanted to do that too, but my age stopped me. So after I took my ASVAB that's what I got.

I was in RSP for a while waiting to ship. The SF bug bit a little more when I was introduced to one of the recruiters. When he introduced himself to us, he told us that he had been SF. He told us his story of going from a Water Purification Specialist to an SF soldier. He had told us that once upon a time he hadn't been in great shape, he had to work very hard, and yet he was standing before us as an SF soldier now. I was inspired by him. At this time however, I was filled with self doubt. Who was I to even think of it?

Fast forward to Basic Training. I'm largely enjoying the experience, as well as the people I'm working with. When we started doing battle drills and field training, I realized that it was my favorite of all training there I had done. Even after finishing AIT, I found that the training I liked the most and wished I had done more of was stuff like clearing rooms. I had already thought about SF prior to this, but upon learning how much I really enjoyed basic soldier tasks, I started giving it a second look. Since then I've been doing as much research as I can. I've picked up Get Selected from recommendations on this site. I lurk and learn from the people here. Believe it or not, everyone here is capable of teaching me something. I've learned what not to do from a lot of threads, just as I've learned a lot from all of the verified people and mods.

Thing is I have a hard time explaining why I want to be SF. To me it's a feeling that often escapes my attempts to describe. But I'll do my best. I want to serve, and give my country my absolute best. I'm doing ok as a conventional soldier right now, and I'm often told I'm a good soldier. I don't like receiving this praise because I don't feel I deserve it. I'm just doing my job and not complaining about it. Surely that doesn't warrant a "good job", does it? But the thing is I want to do more. I feel like I'm not doing enough. Not for lack of trying, but because I'm limited in what impact I can really have as an MP. I want to fight ISIS, but that's not really what my job does. No disrespect to anyone in my field, but I want to do more is all. To me, SF is an inspiration and warrior that I aspire to be like. I want to give my absolute best shot at it. I want a chance to prove I belong. I don't deserve SF, Hell, I don't deserve anything, but I feel the obligation to try. If I get a shot to Selection and don't make it, as long as I know I tried my best that's enough. I'm either what they're looking for or I'm not. I hope I am, but if I'm not then I'll just serve as the best damn MP I can be. Thank you all for taking the time to read this. Please correct me where it is warranted, especially if I'm interested for the wrong reasons.

 

[Teufel]

I'm happy to see all of you aspiring Reconnaissance men on here. I include our SARCs in that category. It's really not difficult to get into recon. All you have to do is raise your hand to volunteer and never quit.

 

[Dewg]

Hey lads,

This is my intro and I'll try to cover it all.

My goal:
To make through TACP and get "more" of what I expected the military to be as well as grow and push my limits in body and mind. I'd like to make it a career, but I feel like my current job leaves me wanting. One friend and one acquaintance have made it through with another in training, all of them tell me how much better it is. I understand there will be petty games everywhere, but I believe this is something I want going off the research I've done.

The research I've done:
word of mouth through the guys that have made it and the one in training, as well as the Internet through Wikipedia, the Romad locator, a few podcasts, and I've been reading "danger close".

The steps taken to meet my goal: Talking to the first sergeant and the lads I've mentioned as well as preparing physically with another guy who's interested in getting into sof. I'm also trying to rearrange my Friend circle and add some more people who have more of a can do mindsets versus the live for the weekend to get messed up and repeat guys.

My current plan of action: to prepare for TACP physically and mentally through exercise and reading. Then attempt to crosstrain when I believe I'm prepared enough. As I understand it from a podcast I listened to, you'll never be fully ready, but getting as ready as you can be is the best course of action.

Extra info/back up plan:
I am 25 and I have exercise induced asthma (sounds like weak genes and a joke, I know) the first shirt had mentioned this may be waiverable as well as one of the guys I've been talking to. Lately I've been working out with my buddy and he helped pushed me past a mental milestone I'd say. Pretty rigorous leg day for myself, and when I approached the point I wanted to quit/vomit he pushed me past that, and I stuck it out. That was yesterday and I learned I have more than I think and my muscles can move even when I think they can't. I've also been learning about that special functional mental happy place within myself. How far can go? What am I actually capable of?

My alternate plan is to try and join the DAGR program (airfield security guys attached to sof, 2 selections a year) as a 3P0 if I don't make it through TACP, the contingency is go to the guard, and try to get a computer degree, match it with my clearance, and try to get a job that way.

I've posted on this forum and crept around before and fell off training. I lost motivation and fell into the drink a lot do nothing category. I'm looking to grow myself and do more and just live. Even if I don't make it through a friend told me it'd be better to test myself in that internal fire than to let it slowly burn out and be doomed to wonder what could have been.

 

[JPL]

Hey all,
Alright where to begin..
When I was 13 I read Lone Survivor for the first time. A friend of my moms recommended it to her and she passed it along to me. I read a lot but had never read a book about anything military despite it being an interest of mine
So I read the book in probably two days. I loved it, every paged entertained me. I put the book down and nothing had changed. A year later I re read the book as I often do to books I love. This time I felt something different. I realized that I wanted to be a SEAL.
Now worth noting I was not the super jacked athletic kid. I played lots of sports, lacrosse, soccer, baseball. I weighed around 100 lbs and was probably 5'2 (rough estimation). I thought that to be a SEAL, I would already have to be strong as superman. I dropped down and did 20 pushups, and it gassed me. For that first year all I did was curls and pushups in my room.
I didn't tell a soul of my dream for at least another 3 years.
The next year I started going to the gym and running a little more. I started doing a lot of pull ups and working on my calisthenics religiously. I never really thought I could do it until I was at summer camp and was praying (it was a religious summer camp, sorry if that offends anyone...) about my dream of becoming a SEAL. At that moment I realized that this wasn't some pipe dream never to be, and that I could do this.
I did Jiu Jitsu for two years in high school. It was a ton of fun and if I had the money (like $100 a class...) I would still be doing it. That was the only sport I did in high school. I decided to train instead of sport.
Catching up to present day. I went to OSU when looking for college, it was a tough decision on whether to enlist or go to college (I will be enlisting regardless) but in the end my mother really wanted me at college and I decided to respect that.
I tried ROTC for a semester but I knew I wanted to enlist so I dropped it. It was a cool experience, however, and I am glad to have done it.
I am currently a sophomore at OSU majoring in Security & Intelligence and minoring in Russian.
Since 14 when I first started on my journey I have put on 55 lbs , grown 7 in (155 5'9) and learned a lot. I have read every book written by Navy SEAL's, started swimming, running, rucking, and just working out much harder. I have done GoRuck (to be pluralized soon), and other fitness events. I took one mock PST test, here were the results...

Swim (500m): 9:44
Pushup (2 minute) : 91
Sit up (2 minute) : 108
Pull up (max) : 30
Run (1.5 mile) : 10:30

These are my first ever scores and they will be improving.

I am aware I've got a ways to go and know I haven't done anything worthy of respect yet.
I am looking forward to learning more on this site and to soak up the wisdom of my elders.
Thanks for reading this far,
Jack

 

[EasyDay]

Hello everyone,
I am a Senior in High School and have been training specifically for BUD/S for the past few months. Prior to my current training I have run sprints for my school track team and have done a little wrestling. Before I decided I want to become a SEAL I was thinking about joining the Marine Corps Infantry. But after a while I began to realize the potential I had with the amount of time I have before I enlist. My parents are 100% not supportive of my decision to join the military. Both of them were raised in the Soviet Union and to them the military = dead son. Great Grandpa was put up against the wall so that does not help the situation either. After bringing up the topic and receiving nothing but negativity I realized where they were coming from and never bring it back up. I realized that this is my goal, my dream, and it's attainable with hard work. I gave my word that when I graduate from High School I will go to a bible college, I wish I did not so I could just enlist on my 18th birthday and start this new chapter of my life sooner, but I gave my word so that is that. I look at the bright side of it and realize that giving my body another year of training and growth will only serve me better in the end.

As for why I want to be a SEAL. I am attracted to the brotherhood and comradery that comes in special forces. a little bit of patriotism is in play but I will be honest it is not my main drive. I am extremely attracted to the maritime capabilities of the SEAL's, The ocean covers 70%+ of the earth and having the ability to be anywhere in it withing a short span of time is extraordinary. Sweating more in training and bleeding less on the battlefield is something I would like to do. And to be honest going to war after all that training, being an expert of the field and shooting bad guys sounds like fun to me.

I came here to learn as much as possible.
That is a little bit about me, thanks for reading.

 

[thrilla82]

Hello all,

I will do my best not to ramble on and to keep it simple. I am currently a SFC in the National Guard and will be coming up on the start of my 14th year this summer. I have wanted to try and join the ranks of the Special Forces community since my deployment to Iraq in 05-06. Upon returning home from that deployment, my fiance (now wife of 8 years) stated she would support me in my desire for Special Forces if I could land a solid job that would support our family while I was gone and purchase the house our family would live in. I worked hard to put myself through paramedic school and the fire academy over the next 18 months. I also tested for two years straight in the Chicagoland/Twin Cities area before finally landing a Union fire job. During this whole process I completed all the tasks and even added kids to the mix. She still states to this day that she is completely behind me and my desire.

I have done quite a bit of research on all the requirements needed and the physical shape one needs to be in. I was able to collect the most information in Afghanistan while serving with an ODA in ARSIC-East in 08-09. The ODA guys I worked with gave me all the insight one could ask for. I know there is still so much more out there to learn and continue weekly to search the depths of google.

The problem I am having is trying to get in the proper shape with my crazy schedule. I work my full time fire department job, along with a part time fire department job. Each place offers different capabilities in training but allows time to get workouts in while on shift. I have bought several Military Athlete programs, tried different programs given to me from other SOF friends and have a hard time trying to stick to their exact workouts. I am trying to find a program that goes off of a three day cycle. This would work best around my 24 on, 48 off work schedule.

I have thought about several other backup plans and logged countless hours on google in search of these answers. I have tried to reach out to Special Forces support units to ask about their 68W slots but have not had any returns. I also have had conversations with my command about returning to the rank of SSG and re-classing to 11B or 19D. Now if all else fails, I still can fall back to my current PSG position.

Thank you in advance for anyone interested in becoming a mentor for me. My biggest fear is not ever trying and I want to make sure that I put all I have into the tries I may have.

 

[Longtucky]

I have thought about this question for the past couple of days. I wanted to put an honest answer, as well as be able to make my thoughts coherent.

I have wanted to join the military throughout my 20s, however, I've always found an excuse to not do it. I copped out and just never did it. Now, as I near my 28th birthday and have some life experience and maturity under my belt, I want to make a go at it so that I don't regret not doing it. Why Special Forces? Because with the changing dynamic of warfare SF has quickly become the spearhead of anti-terrorism. The mission of the Groups is what I would like to undertake in my military career. Yes, there is cool guy stuff, but the other aspects are what truly draw me: the challenge and hard work it takes to be selected, the camaraderie and brotherhood, the internal defense and teaching of foreign nationals in specific regions, learning new cultures.

I think the current biggest factor in my desire to go for SF is sitting down, face to face, with a current Green Beret to have a conversation. He was older than me by only 2 years, but the lifetime of experience behind his words was far heavier than anything I've ever read on the internet. He encouraged me to sign a REP-63 contract and offered up valuable advice about the pipeline and what it takes. I have spoken to a recruiter, who has been great, aside from a minor hiccup, and have made moves toward signing the contract. My only hold-ups are the fact that I am in the hiring process of several police departments and I am in the process of a career change. The advice I have received is make the effort toward becoming a Green Beret now because a LEO career will always be there.

Right now, I am just concentrating on the immediate goal of getting back into shape for the pipeline. My only true question right now is the following: Has anyone else has enlisted in the National Guard while undergoing a career change at the same time? If so, how did you handle this during the hiring process? Did you tell the company/department/agency you were joining the Guard or did you wait until you were hired outright to tell them of your plans? I think the majority of police departments will be accepting of this as long as I complete their training first and I am upfront about my training schedule. Frankly, I believe I should enlist now and then go after PD jobs. Now to just convince my fiancee of this!

Current goal: drop my 5 mile time down to 35 minutes, 2 mile time to 13 minutes and raise my push-up score to 80. I feel that this will allow me to go into BCT with a solid platform on which I can build as I progress through the pipeline. I backpack a lot and can maintain a 15min/mile pace fairly easily. I hope that improving those first aspects of my PT score will help me drop that time as well.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to continuing to peruse this website.

 

[xGenoSiide]

Hey lads,

My alternate plan is to try and join the DAGR program (airfield security guys attached to sof, 2 selections a year) as a 3P0 if I don't make it through TACP, the contingency is go to the guard, and try to get a computer degree, match it with my clearance, and try to get a job that way.

While TACP is your highest priority, I want to point out that finding your way to DAGRE is a lengthy process, and they are not attached to SOF in the way you might think. DAGRE positions are posted to AMS randomly and infrequently. They fall under the flying squadrons and protect the aircraft while it's on the ground. Similar to a Raven, but with more training.

Regardless, they seem to enjoy it while they are assigned, until they go back to being regular cops.

 

[BeauRing3336]

For me it has never been about the money. I enlisted and turned down everything that had to do with college or a bonus. I enlisted in 2010 with the idea that I was ganna be a warfighter and on my own account I choose a different skill. Then when my first contract was up there was a good amount of money to stay at my MOS. I've been serving for almost 7 years which may not seem like a lot to you all. I deployed to Afghanistan and got to do some good over there and see it wasn't all the evil that was depicted to me. Then there were the parts that were. I still see the faces of people killed in brutal ways and all I wanted to go each time was to be the one to serve the justice deserved. The match that lit the fire under my butt was when I watched the 2 Turkish soldiers burned alive. I had never been so angry. Although I feel the skills that are obtained as special forces are important that reason for my quest is that I wanted to stop the carnage like that from happening to anyone else just to save one man,woman, or child is enough reason to put my life in harms way.

 

[Ball N' Chain]

This program was kinda my idea for all you wannabes to have a direct forum to ask questions to SOF guys to only be responded to by SOF guys. If you are a wannabe SOF guy I expect that there be an introduction that explains why you want to come to SOF. More than just "I want to be the best", that is a cop out. Why you want to be my teammate, why you think you deserve to be here. Once you have posted this, in here for at least me to see you can begin asking questions. I don't want answers to be posted by people who have not lived the lifestyle, and therefore really shouldn't have an opinion about it. That is all I have for now, this could be a great sub-forum or a horrible one, that is completely up to you all.

When presented with the question "why do you want to be ....... " whatever it is, I take that question seriously. In my case, I have a desire to be a PJ. Ask me why and I can give you a simple answer... Because I want to make sure our guys come home. My father was infantry in the Army, and growing up, I asked a lot of questions. One question I asked gave me an answer that stuck with me. I asked him if he was ever afraid to die, and he turned and looked at me, I must've been ten, but he looked at me in a way a father would not look at a son, especially not a ten year old. He got serious and said, yes, I was. I was afraid to die until I saw my friend die. He told me that seeing his friend die took all fear of death from him, and filled him with more of a rage and passion to keep fighting the fight, that death was worth it to stop from others dying. I thought about death a lot after that, and I developed a genuine fear of death, and after years of thinking about death, I came to an understanding that nobody wants to die, everybody is afraid to die, while at the same time everybody dies. My father told me that the men who fight, are afraid to die, but have accepted that somebody has got to do it.

When I came across Pararescue, I saw a force that fits perfectly with who I am. PJ's to me, are like angels. They put their life on the line so that we can make sure our men come home safe, and God forbid, if something were to happen, they have the medical abilities to give a decent fighting chance for life to whoever it may be. I want to be involved with Pararescue so if the time comes our guys are in a bind and need out, I can help them with everything I have.

 

[Ball N' Chain]

In this current state of time, I am in the early phases of enlisting. In regard to physical preparation, I am a little behind due to the circumstances surrounding my enlistment. Basically, I am enlisting earlier than anticipated, but a snag in scholarship money stalled my college career. I plan to go back, but I can not sit in one place without progress for the next eight months.
I decided to enlist, as I planned to after my senior year, but I also planned to start specific physical prep a year in advance rather than a couple months in advance.
As of now I am in the pool 5x a week, that is by far my weakest point. I have never rucked, nor have I ever ran more than a 5k. I found a military surplus store that has supplies I need to train, such as rubber rocket fins, an ALCE ruck sack, and some military boots.
I have a PT packer from my recruiter based on USAF Spec Ops training, and while I plan to follow that to a T, I will also implement some on my own things involving some olympic style lifting once a week and extra days in the pool.
I have to become a fish, because as of now I can not make it 25m underwater. I have taken a couple swimming lessons to help with my form, and that made me go from not even swimming 25 YARDS underwater to being able to do that with not a maximum amount of struggle.
I have found lung capacity exercises to do, and I am up to a 1:30 holding my breath, although after holding my breath I need recovery time to even hold my breath for another 30 seconds.

I look forward to learning a lot from these forums, as I already have the past week just sitting back and scanning the post from the past couple years. Thanks!

 

[Ooh-Rah]

I have found lung capacity exercises to do, and I am up to a 1:30 holding my breath, although after holding my breath I need recovery time to even hold my breath for another 30 seconds.

If you are doing this in the water, I hope that you are using a partner (for safety).

 

[Ball N' Chain]

If you are doing this in the water, I hope that you are using a partner (for safety).

I practice both in and out of the water. Headed to pool now. Sadly my saftey net is an overweight lifeguard who plays on her phone. A couple days a week I have a partner and I push harder than normal when he's there.

 

[Gladesmen19]

Good Morning y'all,
Growing up I had a grandfather who (didn't mention it to anyone much) but was a SEAL in Vietnam I was around him quite often due to our bond when I was a kid so between in my eyes having a super hero as a grandfather and just my absolute love and dedication to my Country/what It stands for I decided very young (5th grade) I wanted to be a "Navy SEAL". then as I got older I eventually realised I did not want to be a SEAL because it didn't fit who I was turning to be as an adult with that and after tons of research growing up (from middle school on) I decided Army Special Forces fit who I am and what I wanted to do with my life so I made that my goal as a freshman in high school I lived by it Ate healthy, did PT everyday to the point I'd collapse then kept going as far as I could further, I studied and payed as much attention as possible for a kid with adhd.. then I'll just say my "Bad" household "exploded" my lil brother got taken by the state and given to our other grandparents and I got kicked out into the street so I had to drop out at 17.5 yrs old at the end of 10th grade and now im 19 (20 in july) and Im finally able to get back on it, Im currently getting my GED and 15 credi5s then going to a recruiter for the REP63 contract in hopes that with having ADHD and a single episode of mild major depressive disorder (my doc said its gone via only 1.5mo's.) MEPs will see Im not the "typical" case and give me my shot at SFAS.

Research I've done: From middle school on the SOF Community had my eye so I would read every book possible, watch all the documentary's I could find, talk to guys that lived the life on forums like this.

My steps: Right now my 25m is light PT and focus on the GED stuff so I can knock it out then go from there.

Plan of action: GED/15 Credits, Off adhd meds, wait out year while doing paperwork with Recruiter via hardcore PT, studying stuff like land nav ect, and getting certified and work p/t as a EMT-B

I hope I did this right and didnt ramble on too much if so I apologize If one of you mentors have deeper questions ask and Ill explain, Thanks!