Introduction Thread

[Teufel]

That is a wide spectrum of interests. SEALs do indeed do those things. Many try, most fail. Recon drops can still go infantry. Recon isn’t a SOCOM unit though and this affects their budget and mission alignment.

 

[Deleted member 15200]

@Arf

You mean looking at the branches as in branch culture, where do I learn about this? Honestly location isn't all that important to me, I fall more into the "trying to get away" camp

I'll PM you with some SEAL questions

@Teufel

Definitely a broad range. I just don't think I know enough yet to get much more granular. Recon is definitely up there for me. How busy is recon though, as a non-SOCOM asset?

@Hillclimb

What's the story on the raiders identity? According to wikipedia they seem to have almost every mission set, something like a jack of all trades?

 

[Arf]

You mean looking at the branches as in branch culture, where do I learn about this? Honestly location isn't all that important to me, I fall more into the "trying to get away" camp

This is a good question.

Start with this. He is a former SF officer.

My personal reasons for joining the Navy were that I wanted to be amphibious, I wanted to be near the ocean, and I wanted to do medicine in some fashion (that left the marines out of the most part.)

The idea of being landlocked inland really bothered me and it still bothers me to this day. I would say that the locations of the bases are pretty damn good because most of our bases are on the coast.

Since I have been in, my observations on quality of life are subjective but also very differing on what your Military Occupational Specialty is or Rate(Navy), what base you are at, and what command you are at.

I’ve only really been around Marines personally (not MARSOC) and from what I have witnessed, my life is a lot more comfortable. Keep in mind that Marines pride themselves with doing more with less. Life seems much more comfortable for us that it does for them.

Life in the conventional Navy is not nearly as good as I have it in NSW, and I imagine it is much of the same in every other branch.

Navy seems to deploy more than most everyone else. Forward projection of Sea Power dominance is a very serious concept and that extends to NSW also.
You get to travel a lot more than any other branch, but if you are going the fleet, it also means that you may be on a ship for months. In NSW it is better because you aren’t connected to a ship and they don’t make us jump commands every few years.

I have read that the Marine mission is beginning to return to their roots as a Coastline, Amphibious, Sea Power enforcer.

 

[Teufel]

Recon is still pretty busy but mostly deploying on ship (the MEU) nowadays.

 

[Deleted member 15200]

@Teufel

MEU includes the Mission Training Plan/Special Operations Capable Certification (United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance - Wikipedia), correct?

 

[Teufel]

@Teufel

MEU includes the Mission Training Plan/Special Operations Capable Certification (United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance - Wikipedia), correct?

MEU equals deploying on ships. The Marine Corps dropped the “SOC” quals when they stood up MARSOC but didn’t change the training or standards.

 

[Deleted member 15200]

Should I be 100% decided before visiting a recruiter, or is it ok to "shop around" by talking to recruiters from different branches at the same time before committing to one?

 

[Arf]

By all means shop around. Just know that they are going to try and get you to commit that very day. Just hold your ground.

 

[Arf]

The ASVAB only lasts two years, so don’t bother taking it till you are somewhat ready.

 

[LimaPanther]

I started my military career as a Recon Marine. On both the BN and Force side. Later went Army and served with SF and a LRRP (Ranger) Company. Also other assignments because the Army expects their NCOs to also spend time as a Drill Sgt and Recruiter.

 

[youngidiot]

Hello all,
I'm 18 just finished High School and been pretty active throughout the years with hockey and wrestling.
I'm currently preparing for Air Force TACP and looking to get into Special Tactics TACP later on in my career. I was initially going to go into the Marine Corps with a RECON contract but the Air Force intrigued me more then the Marine Corps. I'll stay in touch with this group till I leave which is most likely February.

 

[DR4423]

Morning,

I am a 24 year old Firefighter/EMT on the East Coast. To keep it short, I have decided I need more out of my life. I want to feel fulfilled in helping people and more recently I have decided I want to fight for those who cannot help themselves. Before I came to the second realization, I thought Firefighting would satisfy my passions, but it hasn't unfortunately. I got a tiny bit excited a couple of months ago and made the leap into the Navy DEP, but recently I have come to be more attracted to SF. I have already had a short conversation with Arf about this but more information is always appreciated.

I understand most of your SOF are doing the same mission sets in one form or another, just with different emphasis and specialties. I'll be honest and say I really only chose the Navy as a path originally because my Father was in, and the SEALs seemed like a good option to commit to that would be busy. But when I introspect and try to honestly ask myself "Why the Navy, why be a SEAL?", I don't have a solid answer. I have a few buddies in different spots in the Navy. Obviously the one who made the Teams said it's the best decision he's made and it's all worth it. Love that guy to death he is a childhood friend of mine but I know that's the answer everyone who loves their job give. I just really do not have a need or hankering to operate in or around the water. I do love the water as much as anyone else but I think you can gather that I'm a little indifferent to making it a large part of my life. Without that connection I feel as if I'd be doing myself and the Teams a disservice were I to actually make it there.

The SF mission set and specialties really intrigue and excite me. As I said I do have a passion for helping people and it seems as if Green Berets mix the best of humanitarian values and fighting evil in the world. As Arf told me, and as I have heard from others, if I were to go the Guard SF route I could be as busy or slow as I want. Even just crossing into Active should I feel the desire. The options for furthering your career you get once said and done are also attractive and diverse.

I know this website is not for handholding and such, but due to the "Special" nature of this path, I could use some opinions or affirmations to help with the extremely difficult decision. I can't imagine it's anything less than natural to be conflicted about such a life altering decision. Since I am older (not by much I know) than the average gentleman leaping almost blindly into a selection course, I feel as if I have the opportunity to think out an informed decision. So, please Inform me.

Any questions you might have please do not hesitate to ask I will answer to the best of my ability. Any and all insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
DR

 

[Arf]

Morning,

I am a 24 year old Firefighter/EMT on the East Coast. To keep it short, I have decided I need more out of my life. I want to feel fulfilled in helping people and more recently I have decided I want to fight for those who cannot help themselves. Before I came to the second realization, I thought Firefighting would satisfy my passions, but it hasn't unfortunately. I got a tiny bit excited a couple of months ago and made the leap into the Navy DEP, but recently I have come to be more attracted to SF. I have already had a short conversation with Arf about this but more information is always appreciated.

I understand most of your SOF are doing the same mission sets in one form or another, just with different emphasis and specialties. I'll be honest and say I really only chose the Navy as a path originally because my Father was in, and the SEALs seemed like a good option to commit to that would be busy. But when I introspect and try to honestly ask myself "Why the Navy, why be a SEAL?", I don't have a solid answer. I have a few buddies in different spots in the Navy. Obviously the one who made the Teams said it's the best decision he's made and it's all worth it. Love that guy to death he is a childhood friend of mine but I know that's the answer everyone who loves their job give. I just really do not have a need or hankering to operate in or around the water. I do love the water as much as anyone else but I think you can gather that I'm a little indifferent to making it a large part of my life. Without that connection I feel as if I'd be doing myself and the Teams a disservice were I to actually make it there.

The SF mission set and specialties really intrigue and excite me. As I said I do have a passion for helping people and it seems as if Green Berets mix the best of humanitarian values and fighting evil in the world. As Arf told me, and as I have heard from others, if I were to go the Guard SF route I could be as busy or slow as I want. Even just crossing into Active should I feel the desire. The options for furthering your career you get once said and done are also attractive and diverse.

I know this website is not for handholding and such, but due to the "Special" nature of this path, I could use some opinions or affirmations to help with the extremely difficult decision. I can't imagine it's anything less than natural to be conflicted about such a life altering decision. Since I am older (not by much I know) than the average gentleman leaping almost blindly into a selection course, I feel as if I have the opportunity to think out an informed decision. So, please Inform me.

Any questions you might have please do not hesitate to ask I will answer to the best of my ability. Any and all insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
DR

Well written. If you do feel the need to get in the water with SF, there are combat diver teams. Rumor has it that they don’t get used like SEALs (this coming from an NSW guy) do, but it is an option. That being said, SEALs themselves aren’t doing a whole lot at the moment.

I’ve been told by my NG SF recruiter that NG ends up doing lots of search and rescue type missions for the state as well as the normal SF type mission sets overseas. That would fit nicely with your training as a firefighter.

 

[morgd2020]

Hello. I made an introduction post on the forum some days ago but I'll make another here. I'm in my late 20s and currently working on emergency medicine (EMT). I have no formal military experience but I was with the SDF for a year. Prior to going I completed and EMT course in order to have a useful skill. My experience going abroad and focusing on immediate care there began an interest in medicine and a desire to pursue combat medicine. Like many on this forum I would like to pursue this at the highest level possible. I've been researching which combat medic position I'd like to attempt. I was set on trying the SARC pipeline for quite some time but have also been considering trying PJ. I understand that all of these medics play different roles. I was initially interested SARC because of their attachment to various teams and units. Researching further I realized that this also seems possible with PJs depending on the selection and path they take. If anyone has any suggestions on which sof medic path has the most opportunity to be attached to teams or units and deploy alongside I would appreciate any advice. The last thing that's making me undecided is which of these has the more access to various schools and additional training.
tl;dr I specifically interested in sof medicine but cannot decide which specific path I want to attempt.

 

[morgd2020]

I should probably revise what I said after reading some of the posts. I understand that PJs are first and foremost specialists in rescue but that some are attached to other SOF units. Perhaps I should reconsider what I said and clarify that I'm undecided because I can't determine which path most directly relates to my interests. So I'm looking into all medic capable sof careers. Again, I'm trying to determine which one makes the most sense if you're looking to be attached to a team/unit.