Options for high school towards SOF

[Bworth]

Hi,

I'm a freshman in high school this year. I'm pursuing my goal of becoming a SEAL. I hope to attend the Naval Academy and then get selected for BUD/S. I wanted to ask advice on whether joining NJROTC or Sea Cadets would be beneficial towards this path. Is there one in particular that may prepare, or help increase my chances to attend the Naval Academy and a NSW path better than another?

Thank you for your time.
BW

 

[x SF med]

Which is more important to you, USNA or NSW? Both are tough, and the chances of getting a NSW billet as an officer is much less likely than than as an enlisted person. You have a lot of time to do your research and search your soul as to which path is yours. One of GEN Colin Powell's rules for life is: You can't make somebody else's decisions, don't let somebody else make yours.

 

[SkrewzLoose]

I can't speak to getting into the USNA, but no one at BUD/S or any other point along the way into NSW will care about your time with the Sea Cadets.

 

[TLDR20]

Do well in school, play team sports, I'd stay away from sea cadets and JROTC. Trust me, NSW is not full of guys who did that shit.

 

[Red Flag 1]

Do you have trouble seeing colors?

 

[Bworth]

Makes sense. Thanks for taking the time, I appreciate it.

 

[seancasaus]

I know this is 2 months old, and I hope I'm not stepping on the feet of any of the more experienced military guys here. But I graduated high school in 2012 and went straight for the army so maybe I can relate on a younger level to you. I would advise that you do as well as you can in high school grade wise (I cannot stress that enough because it matters ALLOT), play some sports, party a little, and the options will present themselves your senior year. I can guarantee you that most guys in sof had no ideas what they were going to be doing when they were freshman in high school. Most did not enlist for their contracts at 18, and many more didn't enlist for their indoc, buds, or selection class at all, because I didn't. I dropped a packet to go to sfas and went. In other words enjoy your last remaining years of no responsibility and don't screw it up so you have options if you change your mind. Because your a freshman. I'm pretty sure I wanted to be a fighter pilot for the airforce as a freshman, and I wanted to be a pj as a senior. And here I am in the army as a medic selected for special forces with no regrets.

 

[8654Maine]

Good reply. Good luck. Work on your grammar and spelling.

 

[Totentanz]

I know this is 2 months old, and I hope I'm not stepping on the feet of any of the more experienced military guys here. But I graduated high school in 2012 and went straight for the army so maybe I can relate on a younger level to you. I would advise that you do as well as you can in high school grade wise (I cannot stress that enough because it matters ALLOT), play some sports, party a little, and the options will present themselves your senior year. I can guarantee you that most guys in sof had no ideas what they were going to be doing when they were freshman in high school. Most did not enlist for their contracts at 18, and many more didn't enlist for their indoc, buds, or selection class at all, because I didn't. I dropped a packet to go to sfas and went. In other words enjoy your last remaining years of no responsibility and don't screw it up so you have options if you change your mind. Because your a freshman. I'm pretty sure I wanted to be a fighter pilot for the airforce as a freshman, and I wanted to be a pj as a senior. And here I am in the army as a medic selected for special forces with no regrets.

You need to be vetted if you are going to continue to claim the experiences you have and offer advice on those moving through the SOF selection and training processes.

 

[seancasaus]

You need to be vetted if you are going to continue to claim the experiences you have and offer advice on those moving through the SOF selection and training processes.

Roger

 

[The Accountant]

I agree 100% with the grades while in school. While I thought high school was a joke I wish I did what I was supposed to do. I eventually grew up too late in that regard which required me passing up the opportunity of not being able to take advantage of being recruited by West Point among other opportunities for the sport I played while in school. I can't comment on grades and enlisting since I am a civilian. However, you can never regret having good grades since it certainly won't ever cause you to miss out on opportunities such as I have. Stay on top of yourself as a freshmen to set your standards for the rest of the years of high school. Like others have mentioned, join a team sport if you already are not part of one.

 

[x SF med]

Good reply. Good luck. Work on your grammar and spelling.

Capitalization and usage are important too.

 

[seancasaus]

Good reply. Good luck. Work on your grammar and spelling.[

Capitalization and usage are important too.

I agree! Except I typed it up on my phone so grammar was out the window and replaced with apple's spell checker.

 

[x SF med]

I agree! Except I typed it up on my phone so grammar was out the window and replaced with apple's spell checker.

The maximum effective range of an excuse is zero meters, and the bursting radius of an excuse is zero meters, but the effects of an excuse can ruin your career. You can overcome any spell checker by retyping and paying attention.