Hi,
I joined this site so that I would be able to communicate with active/retired SOF about specific questions I may have. I've been spending a lot of time lately researching information related to SOF, the military in general, and law enforcement.
I'm going to give a brief overview of me, my choices, and my current situation. Nothing is meant to come across as bragging or arrogant. I don't know anybody that is in SOF. I never sat down and talked with someone in SOF. My knowledge of this community is what I've seen on youtube, and read online. A lot of that is from the last few days reading these forums, which prompted me to join.
For those who read the whole thing, please leave any feedback positive or negative. I'd rather just hear it cut and dry.
Here we go, it may get ugly...
I enlisted in the DEP when I was 17, and took the ASVAB at that time (2007). I scored 88 on the ASVAB, I enlisted as 11X. The primary reason I did this was to leave home.
-From Northern California, Bay Area
-Did horrible in school, starting in late elementary school. The only reason I got a high school diploma is because I was in the DEP, and I went to a "special" high school where I just brought in pay stubs from a job at the movie theater to prove I wasn't on the street all day. I got it though and did ok on the ASVAB at that time.
-I quit in basic at Benning. The shame in the decision still follows me in everything I do. I would rather just say I quit and call it what it really is. I'd rather people know it and not help me than hide from that.
-My RE code is RE3 with separation code JFV.
-I made some legal mistakes after I got out, these were later dismissed.
-I'll be 30 at the end of 2019
-I have tattoos on my hands that are large, but already have begun laser treatment. The Army recruiter I'm working with said they are doing hand tattoo waivers right now. Originally I was getting them lasered just to talk to a recruiter. He reached out to me last week to inform me there's a window open for it now.
-I'm talking to an Army recruiter, seems like he's interested. I reached out to the Navy as well and that recruiter said to stop by if the Army couldn't get me the waivers I need.
Overall, not the best looking prospect. I'm determined to see what my options are.
Some things I've done since I quit:
-AWS certified welder in several processes
-Training and competing in MMA (Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo, Sambo and some Tae Kwon Do) for 7 years
-Got myself out of being homeless twice (How did I get there? I focused too much on training. I worked enough to pay my bills, and never saved. Eventually a few major bills or losing my job[not fired] forced me to reassess and regroup)
-Worked a lot of different types of jobs, picked up a decent amount of Spanish along the way. I currently work in security.
Why I want to join the military (again)
To create a better life for myself, and start a family. I'd like to be able to have a BA/BS or be able to give that to my child.
I want to be challenged, and I want a place where I can progress.
Why I want to join SOF
To be part of a community and team of elite professionals. Martial arts taught me a lot about myself that I never fully understood. I work better with a team if I can relate to them and bond with them. I want to be the best I can be at whatever I do. I can be meticulous with small details. I didn't have the mindset of never quit, accept nothing less than excellence as a kid.
I'm not in it for glory
I'm not in it for money
I'm not in it for women, or barracks frat parties
I'm not in it to say I did it or I'm doing it
I want to be one of the men that stand between evil and my country. I want to be the protector of those who cannot protect themselves. This is why I gravitated back to the military and possibly LE. I want to help people with direct action, if I'm qualified. I want to take the next step.
I believe I'm good enough to make the cut, even though there are many obstacles that I made for myself in life. Even though I quit before, I firmly believe redemption is possible, even in this case. Time will tell.
The recruiters working with me hopefully believe it too, or I don't think they would try to help someone in my situation. All I know is if I'm lucky enough to be given the chance again I will make use of it. I won't waste my time or the military's, especially not if I get option 40 in the contract, which he said is likely pending the background investigation. Once that comes back, we'll know if and how we can proceed. Really hoping for something other than "we tried and it's a no go".
What I'm looking at:
Ranger (RASP, be in Battalion)
SF
SEALS
Thanks for reading, hoping I'm not a lost cause
Thank you all for your service
I joined this site so that I would be able to communicate with active/retired SOF about specific questions I may have. I've been spending a lot of time lately researching information related to SOF, the military in general, and law enforcement.
I'm going to give a brief overview of me, my choices, and my current situation. Nothing is meant to come across as bragging or arrogant. I don't know anybody that is in SOF. I never sat down and talked with someone in SOF. My knowledge of this community is what I've seen on youtube, and read online. A lot of that is from the last few days reading these forums, which prompted me to join.
For those who read the whole thing, please leave any feedback positive or negative. I'd rather just hear it cut and dry.
Here we go, it may get ugly...
I enlisted in the DEP when I was 17, and took the ASVAB at that time (2007). I scored 88 on the ASVAB, I enlisted as 11X. The primary reason I did this was to leave home.
-From Northern California, Bay Area
-Did horrible in school, starting in late elementary school. The only reason I got a high school diploma is because I was in the DEP, and I went to a "special" high school where I just brought in pay stubs from a job at the movie theater to prove I wasn't on the street all day. I got it though and did ok on the ASVAB at that time.
-I quit in basic at Benning. The shame in the decision still follows me in everything I do. I would rather just say I quit and call it what it really is. I'd rather people know it and not help me than hide from that.
-My RE code is RE3 with separation code JFV.
-I made some legal mistakes after I got out, these were later dismissed.
-I'll be 30 at the end of 2019
-I have tattoos on my hands that are large, but already have begun laser treatment. The Army recruiter I'm working with said they are doing hand tattoo waivers right now. Originally I was getting them lasered just to talk to a recruiter. He reached out to me last week to inform me there's a window open for it now.
-I'm talking to an Army recruiter, seems like he's interested. I reached out to the Navy as well and that recruiter said to stop by if the Army couldn't get me the waivers I need.
Overall, not the best looking prospect. I'm determined to see what my options are.
Some things I've done since I quit:
-AWS certified welder in several processes
-Training and competing in MMA (Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo, Sambo and some Tae Kwon Do) for 7 years
-Got myself out of being homeless twice (How did I get there? I focused too much on training. I worked enough to pay my bills, and never saved. Eventually a few major bills or losing my job[not fired] forced me to reassess and regroup)
-Worked a lot of different types of jobs, picked up a decent amount of Spanish along the way. I currently work in security.
Why I want to join the military (again)
To create a better life for myself, and start a family. I'd like to be able to have a BA/BS or be able to give that to my child.
I want to be challenged, and I want a place where I can progress.
Why I want to join SOF
To be part of a community and team of elite professionals. Martial arts taught me a lot about myself that I never fully understood. I work better with a team if I can relate to them and bond with them. I want to be the best I can be at whatever I do. I can be meticulous with small details. I didn't have the mindset of never quit, accept nothing less than excellence as a kid.
I'm not in it for glory
I'm not in it for money
I'm not in it for women, or barracks frat parties
I'm not in it to say I did it or I'm doing it
I want to be one of the men that stand between evil and my country. I want to be the protector of those who cannot protect themselves. This is why I gravitated back to the military and possibly LE. I want to help people with direct action, if I'm qualified. I want to take the next step.
I believe I'm good enough to make the cut, even though there are many obstacles that I made for myself in life. Even though I quit before, I firmly believe redemption is possible, even in this case. Time will tell.
The recruiters working with me hopefully believe it too, or I don't think they would try to help someone in my situation. All I know is if I'm lucky enough to be given the chance again I will make use of it. I won't waste my time or the military's, especially not if I get option 40 in the contract, which he said is likely pending the background investigation. Once that comes back, we'll know if and how we can proceed. Really hoping for something other than "we tried and it's a no go".
What I'm looking at:
Ranger (RASP, be in Battalion)
SF
SEALS
Thanks for reading, hoping I'm not a lost cause
Thank you all for your service
