Would enlisting in SF Support (National Guard) as a 68W be a good way to get your foot in the door if the goal is SF? More context down below.

[Stingray01]

I’m 21 years old and live in Las Vegas, NV. I’m a nationally certified EMT, and will be working as an EMT for a local ambulance company here in Las Vegas. I’m also taking the AEMT course some time this summer. My goal on the civilian side is to become a Firefighter/AEMT (and eventually Firefighter/Paramedic but obviously one step at a time).

I am interested in joining 19th SFG Support as a 68W. I understand Rep63 is probably the best route, but I would like to get some life experience and grow more as a person before I go for SF itself.

Would being in SF Support be a good way to physically and mentally prepare for when I’d eventually want to go for SF? Is it common to find a SF mentor when you’re in these support units?

Or should I just wait until I’m ready and just go straight to Rep63?

My thought process is that since I’m young, if I was able to work in a support role, I’d be able to learn how SF operates, and get to know SF guys that would hopefully give me tips on how to succeed. I’m not in the military obviously and I don’t anything about it but that’s just my thought process.

Thank you and have a great day!

 

[AWP]

As a former Support guy, take the Rep63 contract. Being in Support prepares you to be in Support. Nothing wrong with that, and we had plenty of guys go from Support Company to a team, but...just go to Selection.

 

[Cookie_]

Current support guy in 19th here.

Take the rep63. You lose out on absolutely nothing if you make it to SFAS and don't get to continue to selection.
If you do wash out, you'll already have that experience of what it's like. To go back, you'll have to pass a SFRE (Special Forces Readiness Evaluation) with your nearest SWTD (Special Warfare Training Detachment); it's probably the one out here in Colorado I support.
Pass SFRE, you train with the SWTD for ~a year before you go back to SFAS; most dudes pass after that.

If you come to the unit as a 68w?

You lose out on about 2 years out FaceTime with everyone at the unit due to attending SOCM.
You'll come back to the unit as a fucking new guy who's already telling everyone he plans on leaving his support role as soon as possible.
Because of this, you're likely going to lose out on some training, missions, and deployments. It's nothing personal, but why waste the support guy slots on you if all you want to do is run to a team?
Why send you with a team when they need a guy who's going to learn his support role so they can ask for him by name next time, not a revolving door of dudes they've gotta keep training up?

As @AWP mentioned, I've also seen guys from support go to selection. Those dudes are usually around a while and the Cadre of SWTD suggest they should try out an SFRE.

I've yet to see a support guy who showed up at the unit "as a stepping stone to SF" get any mentorship or be successful in that endeavor.

 

[AWP]

Fuckin A', Cotton, fuckin' A.

 

[Stingray01]

As a former Support guy, take the Rep63 contract. Being in Support prepares you to be in Support. Nothing wrong with that, and we had plenty of guys go from Support Company to a team, but...just go to Selection.

I appreciate the information. I agree 100%.

 

[Stingray01]

Current support guy in 19th here.

Take the rep63. You lose out on absolutely nothing if you make it to SFAS and don't get to continue to selection.
If you do wash out, you'll already have that experience of what it's like. To go back, you'll have to pass a SFRE (Special Forces Readiness Evaluation) with your nearest SWTD (Special Warfare Training Detachment); it's probably the one out here in Colorado I support.
Pass SFRE, you train with the SWTD for ~a year before you go back to SFAS; most dudes pass after that.

If you come to the unit as a 68w?

You lose out on about 2 years out FaceTime with everyone at the unit due to attending SOCM.
You'll come back to the unit as a fucking new guy who's already telling everyone he plans on leaving his support role as soon as possible.
Because of this, you're likely going to lose out on some training, missions, and deployments. It's nothing personal, but why waste the support guy slots on you if all you want to do is run to a team?
Why send you with a team when they need a guy who's going to learn his support role so they can ask for him by name next time, not a revolving door of dudes they've gotta keep training up?

As @AWP mentioned, I've also seen guys from support go to selection. Those dudes are usually around a while and the Cadre of SWTD suggest they should try out an SFRE.

I've yet to see a support guy who showed up at the unit "as a stepping stone to SF" get any mentorship or be successful in that endeavor.

Thank you for this. Definitely puts things in perspective for me.

 

[BlackSmokeRisinG]

Did not want to start a new thread so I'll ask here since I also was a 68W and need advice on joining Guard SF support. A few questions:

Does the guard let support guys do contracting? Obviously I would quit to deploy/do pre-deployment training. I know there are a few 18 series guys in the Guard working where I am going, but I'm a single dad and only interested in support role for the next few years. Can't do 2+ years away. Contracting brings me home every few months at a time.

Will they accept me with a VA rating? I was going to do MEPS for Air Guard for one of those bomb dropper positions but when I told the recruiter my local PD job didn't pan out, he told me no because I would be overseas. I knew of some Army reserve and NG guys contracting that somehow were still drilling, not IRR, drilling when they were home etc. That is what I am interested in.

My goal is contract another couple years to save $ for another shot at nursing school. I have my current job waiting for me, but it's not a career. I am also a current AEMT, maybe easier to go back in as 68W.

Also, I'm at 50% VA, fighting to get increase for fatigue and sinusitis. Willing to put that on hold to come back in, but I've put it off for years already. Did one full deployment (13ish months) feeling worse than I do now. My goal is to serve again at any capacity. I want to serve, I do not want to go back to FOB ass non-combat support (medical units, support units). Looking for a way to be close to or in the fight again, fully understand SF support is not out there kicking in doors, calling in CAS etc.

Also willing to cross train into a new MOS, whatever...needs of the guard LOL.

TIA

 

[Florida173]

Did not want to start a new thread so I'll ask here since I also was a 68W and need advice on joining Guard SF support. A few questions:

Does the guard let support guys do contracting? Obviously I would quit to deploy/do pre-deployment training. I know there are a few 18 series guys in the Guard working where I am going, but I'm a single dad and only interested in support role for the next few years. Can't do 2+ years away. Contracting brings me home every few months at a time.

Will they accept me with a VA rating? I was going to do MEPS for Air Guard for one of those bomb dropper positions but when I told the recruiter my local PD job didn't pan out, he told me no because I would be overseas. I knew of some Army reserve and NG guys contracting that somehow were still drilling, not IRR, drilling when they were home etc. That is what I am interested in.

My goal is contract another couple years to save $ for another shot at nursing school. I have my current job waiting for me, but it's not a career. I am also a current AEMT, maybe easier to go back in as 68W.

Also, I'm at 50% VA, fighting to get increase for fatigue and sinusitis. Willing to put that on hold to come back in, but I've put it off for years already. Did one full deployment (13ish months) feeling worse than I do now. My goal is to serve again at any capacity. I want to serve, I do not want to go back to FOB ass non-combat support (medical units, support units). Looking for a way to be close to or in the fight again, fully understand SF support is not out there kicking in doors, calling in CAS etc.

Also willing to cross train into a new MOS, whatever...needs of the guard LOL.

TIA

You're allowed to serve in Active, Guard, and Reserves with a VA rating. You can either drill for points or just take the pay and take the hit at the end from the VA part. It's honestly not a big deal.

 

[DA SWO]

Did not want to start a new thread so I'll ask here since I also was a 68W and need advice on joining Guard SF support. A few questions:

Does the guard let support guys do contracting? Obviously I would quit to deploy/do pre-deployment training. I know there are a few 18 series guys in the Guard working where I am going, but I'm a single dad and only interested in support role for the next few years. Can't do 2+ years away. Contracting brings me home every few months at a time.

Will they accept me with a VA rating? I was going to do MEPS for Air Guard for one of those bomb dropper positions but when I told the recruiter my local PD job didn't pan out, he told me no because I would be overseas. I knew of some Army reserve and NG guys contracting that somehow were still drilling, not IRR, drilling when they were home etc. That is what I am interested in.

My goal is contract another couple years to save $ for another shot at nursing school. I have my current job waiting for me, but it's not a career. I am also a current AEMT, maybe easier to go back in as 68W.

Also, I'm at 50% VA, fighting to get increase for fatigue and sinusitis. Willing to put that on hold to come back in, but I've put it off for years already. Did one full deployment (13ish months) feeling worse than I do now. My goal is to serve again at any capacity. I want to serve, I do not want to go back to FOB ass non-combat support (medical units, support units). Looking for a way to be close to or in the fight again, fully understand SF support is not out there kicking in doors, calling in CAS etc.

Also willing to cross train into a new MOS, whatever...needs of the guard LOL.

TIA

They will deduct your VA pay from your Guard pay.
50% with a probable increase, I'd probably not bring you into my unit.

 

[Cookie_]

@BlackSmokeRisinG

Does the guard let support guys do contracting?

Yes. We commonly have guys (mostly 25/35) out doing contracting.
The difficulty is figuring out your IDT (drill) time around that. Some guys drill with other units, some dudes catch a school, and others just spend 2 weeks at the armory. All depends on what can be worked out.

Will they accept me with a VA rating?

Yes. I have an E6 and E5 with 90% and 100%, respectively, in my platoon. Multiple other Soldiers in various sections with VA ratings as well, to include the medics and ODAs.
The bigger thing is if you can still meet the physical standards of the job.
I will say our Med Shed tends to live much closer to "Team guy shape" then any other section. Not sure if that's an us thing or a group culture thing

 

[BlackSmokeRisinG]

@BlackSmokeRisinG


Yes. We commonly have guys (mostly 25/35) out doing contracting.
The difficulty is figuring out your IDT (drill) time around that. Some guys drill with other units, some dudes catch a school, and others just spend 2 weeks at the armory. All depends on what can be worked out.


Yes. I have an E6 and E5 with 90% and 100%, respectively, in my platoon. Multiple other Soldiers in various sections with VA ratings as well, to include the medics and ODAs.
The bigger thing is if you can still meet the physical standards of the job.
I will say our Med Shed tends to live much closer to "Team guy shape" then any other section. Not sure if that's an us thing or a group culture thing

Would you mind PM'ing me a POC? I live in OH where there is a unit, but am willing to travel for the opportunity. Thanks.

 

[Marauder06]

They will deduct your VA pay from your Guard pay.
50% with a probable increase, I'd probably not bring you into my unit.

Interestingly, sleep apnea gets you to 50% in and of itself.

 

[BlackSmokeRisinG]

...
50% with a probable increase, I'd probably not bring you into my unit.

I waited for years to make a claim because I used to think it was for free loaders, and I knew it would be hinderance to being able to come back.

I've read a lot over the years about PTSD and how SOF isn't as affected by it. They do claim "emotional numbness" and other mental aliments. If you had a guy in your unit that stated having emotional numbness after a few deployments would you want to kick him out? That fatigue, sleep issues, etc isn’t just emotional numbness, its depression. Its PTS.

The military will keep guys in that have wear and tear, but have a problem with treating them and compensation... if I stayed or went into the IRR it wouldn't even be an issue. I'd have been deploying to wherever until I got out, no questions asked. But wanting to come back is somehow wrong?

 

[Cookie_]

Would you mind PM'ing me a POC? I live in OH where there is a unit, but am willing to travel for the opportunity. Thanks.

I can send you the POC for our state's SOF recruiter if you'd like. He's usually the filter who will get you a specific POC at the unit.
I'm not exactly on enough of a buddy basis with some of these guys to be handing out their numbers lol.

I would encourage you to reach out to 19th in WV and 20th in AL.

We have limited reimbursement for out of state travel ($500) and it's not always guaranteed unless you are MOS critical.

Also, having met support peeps from both of those locations (and UT), I think they are better supported than my guys are. Part of that is being nearer to Group CMD, colocated with ODAs, and on/nearer NG training facilities. Other part is probably culture of leadership.

 

[BlackSmokeRisinG]

I can send you the POC for our state's SOF recruiter if you'd like. He's usually the filter who will get you a specific POC at the unit....

Yes, thank you.