INTRO

[Peace_1011]

Hey everyone,

New here. Been lurking for a while and finally decided to post. Looking for honest input from people who've actually been through the pipeline.

**Who I am:**
I'm 22,currently a civilian with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Im focusingup on taking biochemistry and molecular biology electives during undergrad because I was originally headed toward biotech - which I think actually lines up well with where I want to go now. Languages: native Korean, native-level Japanese (completely self-taught), B2 Mandarin Chinese, native English. I'm a U.S. citizen.

**The goal:**
I want to enlist 18X, targeting 18D. Long-term plan is to serve 6 years active duty, ETS, use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for medical school at UW, then possibly transition to 19th SFG or 1st SFG Reserve component. My girlfriend is based in Seattle so JBLM/1st SFG would be ideal for obvious reasons.

**Where I'm at physically:**
I haven't enlisted yet - still in the research and preparation phase. I'm training consistently but I know I need to get serious about prep specific to SFAS and the Q Course pipeline. This is actually one of the things I need help with.

**Looking for resources:**
Can anyone point me toward solid training programs, books, websites, or YouTube channels specifically geared toward SFAS prep and general Special Forces physical/mental preparation? I've come across a few things but want recommendations from people who've actually used them, not just random Google results.

**Questions I need real answers to:**

1. **1st SFG assignment probability:** Native Korean + native-level Japanese + B2 Mandarin. I've read on this forum that native Korean speakers in SF almost always end up in 1st Group. Is that still generally true? Or can the Army still slot me somewhere that has nothing to do with my language profile?

2. **18D assignment after SFAS:** Does a chem engineering + biochem academic background actually influence MOS assignment post-SFAS, or does the board not really weigh civilian education? I know nothing is guaranteed but want to know if it helps at all.

3. **GI Bill as active duty:** Every day of active duty service counts toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility as Title 10 with no weird exceptions for the 18X training pipeline, correct? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something before I build my entire post-service plan around this.

4. **1st SFG current op tempo:** How often is 1st Group actually rotating to CENTCOM these days vs staying in the Pacific? I know PACOM is the primary AOR but I've seen older references to Iraq rotations. Has that changed significantly with the current strategic environment?

5. **Language asset utilization:** Given where things are strategically right now - INDOPACOM focus, China competition - how realistic is it that someone with my language profile ends up stuck in CENTCOM missions long-term? I get that the Army does what it wants, but is there any practical protection that comes with being a rare Korean/Japanese/Mandarin asset?

Thanks in advance. Not looking for sugarcoating - I'd rather know what I'm actually getting into.

 

[Ooh-Rah]

Welcome and best of future success to you!

We do have active SF members, so hopefully one of them will be along at some point to offer some guidance.

 

[Muppet]

Welcome.

 

[Kaldak]

Welcome aboard.

 

[Topkick]

Welcome

 

[Box]

Welcome...
...as a show of faith, I'll directly answer your questions the best way I can:

1. **1st SFG assignment probability:** Native Korean + native-level Japanese + B2 Mandarin. I've read on this forum that native Korean speakers in SF almost always end up in 1st Group. Is that still generally true? Or can the Army still slot me somewhere that has nothing to do with my language profile?
Yes, the chances are way above average that you will end up in 1st Group, especially if you emphasize multilingual proficiency in those languages. However, you are correct in understanding that everything, everywhere, always, boils down to "needs of the Army" - your name could be "Ivan Ivanovich Ivanov" - from Belarus - speaking five different Baltic dialects - and still end up in 3rd Group.

2. **18D assignment after SFAS:** Does a chem engineering + biochem academic background actually influence MOS assignment post-SFAS, or does the board not really weigh civilian education? I know nothing is guaranteed but want to know if it helps at all.
Your education is considered as part of the overall selection process.
18 Delta's Its a pretty well known fact that medics are the smartest and most intelligent folks in the entire Special Forces Career Field.
18 Echo's are "sort" of smart - but they all turn into alcoholics once they start trying to learn morse code or memorize the Tri Graph.
18 Charlies are pretty dumb, but at least they have good safety habits or else none of them would have any thumbs. Some of them are smart enough to help you build a dog house from scratch. The rest can barely produce a "Homer Simpson" quality spice rack
18 Bravos are great guys. They are fearless. They are loyal to a fault. They are tougher than nails. They are also DUMB.AS.FUCK.
18 Fox isn't a real MOS, it's just where the lazy fucks on an ODA go to hang out until their Warrant Officer Packet finally gets approved.
...so yes, your academic background would most likely push you into the 18D track.

3. **GI Bill as active duty:** Every day of active duty service counts toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility as Title 10 with no weird exceptions for the 18X training pipeline, correct? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something before I build my entire post-service plan around this.
The GI Bill is a US Army program. Special Forces is ALSO a US Army program. (although most folks throughout USASOC think they are special and thus sperate from the rest of the Army - they are not - what they are is too arrogant to look down and see that their name tape says US Army, and not US Asoc) so, yes. The GI Bill is the GI Bill.

4. **1st SFG current op tempo:** How often is 1st Group actually rotating to CENTCOM these days vs staying in the Pacific? I know PACOM is the primary AOR but I've seen older references to Iraq rotations. Has that changed significantly with the current strategic environment?
Operational stuff. If you know you know.
If you have to ask, or you are overly concerned at this point about OPTEMPO and the geographic playground, you are worrying about the wrong stuff. If you are dead set on being an SF guy (because it's a well known fact that Special Forces is just "better" than the other branches of SOF) For now, focus on getting ready for Infantry Basic, then Airborne, then SOPC, then SFAS, then the SFQC...

5. **Language asset utilization:** Given where things are strategically right now - INDOPACOM focus, China competition - how realistic is it that someone with my language profile ends up stuck in CENTCOM missions long-term? I get that the Army does what it wants, but is there any practical protection that comes with being a rare Korean/Japanese/Mandarin asset?
Again, Operational stuff, when you know, you'll know.
However, even the average 18 Bravo is smart enough to know that when shit hits the fan, just because your name is Juan Sanchez it doesn't mean you wont get sent to the middle east. It also doesn't mean that speaking three different Asian dialects at native or near native proficiency means you wont find yourself fast roping into Venezuela someday.



There are some other comments I'd like to add - but I'll let you chew on these first...