View Full Version : Released from theater to attend?
I just ran into my co. ops sgt who told me that "A new message has just come down (from where I don't know) that soldiers are now being released from theater - OIF/OEF - to attend SFAS." I was pretty sure that if you had a class date before deployment you would be able to attend, but he was talking like I could finish my packet up now, get a school date a few months out from now, and they would ship me back stateside to go to selection.
Has anyone else heard anything like that yet? I'm going to try and get a hold of the recruiters back at Campbell as well to see if they've heard anything.
Bull
I got "the paper." It's an information paper regarding stop loss/stop movement. Under annex B, regarding stop movement it has, "Soldiers identified for SFAS, SFQC, Special Operations Aviation Assessment...." as an exemption to the stop movement.
So, just to make sure I'm reading this right, I can finish my packet, and get orders to selection in the next 2 months or so? I won't have to wait till my unit gets back stateside?
...So, just to make sure I'm reading this right, I can finish my packet, and get orders to selection in the next 2 months or so? I won't have to wait till my unit gets back stateside?....
I'm not up on Stop Loss vs Deployments but something to think about. How are you prepping for SFAS while deployed? What will be your prep time?
Hate to have you come back not ready, get thrown out in the woods and come back in a week.
Pete
physically, I think that if I set a reasonable time frame i.e. 45-60 days from now... I won't be perfect, but I'll be able to get the job done. I've been rucking on my off days, working on my 12:30 pace going at least 8 miles so far. I'm improving, but I've still got work to do.
As far as the land nav aspect... I'm stuck on BAF...not alot of orienteering courses here... I've tried to look on ACCP, online, where ever to try and find some more resources to better prepare me, but I'm kinda stuck on that aspect. I'll just "do my best."
I will be able to prepare as far as making sure I've got a good idea of my pace count, and a good pace. I think the altitude will help a bit with endurance when I get home, but the terrain is a bit lacking.
I ran into a guy from 20th group at the clamshell and talked with him for a bit. He was a rep-63 and told me what helped him was SOPC. That obviously isn't available for me, so he said to ruck farther, faster, with more weight than I'll have at selection and I should do ok.
And of course,
NEVER QUIT!!
SRT
Look you maybe able to do some LAND NAV on BAF. But it really would do very little - the only thing it would do is get people asking you WTF R U doing. You can set up your own Course, get a GPS and map, and a friend. It will be small but you'll have one. Look the terrain is total different, so your skills will still be low. Look I'm telling U this becuz while I was in Kosovo - I set on up on Camp Bondsteel for guys that were planning on going to SFAS. But Rucking is the best thing, keep that up.
Keep Running, Rucking, Weights, climbing ropes, and other things. Get a friend that is going or maybe is thinking about to go. A workout buddy will always push you harder than yourself. You both work off each other. Get creative in your training.
Running, once a month get in a good run - 15 mile. Go to Runners world.com (http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,5032,s6-51-0-0-0,00.html) has this good training planners. At least pick the half marathon. Look over this site for running plans- read what each thing (event/workout) is. Some you'll have to make up or do something else because you can't do good hill work-out(s). :lifter
Walking a treadmill sideways (side stepping) and backwards works really well. We run forward all the time. We don't work our outside and inside of our legs (Rectus femoris, Vastus Madialis, and Gracillis musles) & our knees and hips. This is where you can get injuried, build them up.
Climb a rope and get on a Pull up bar. If you don't have a rope (S-4) get a large towel. Drape the towel over a pull up bar. You'll grab the towel with both hands and then pull yourself up and down slowly. Something like a Tricep Extention or push down. This will "build" your hands and Tri - a rope is best. Not a 120 Ft!!; 1 1/2 to a 2" thick rope. :lifter
Hit the Gym at least 3x a week and if you don't have it yet. Get the Book = Book (http://www.warrior-mentor.com/).
How good is your S-4? :confused:
Just my .02's.
VG
Team Sergeant
04-26-2006, 08:14
I'm not up on Stop Loss vs Deployments but something to think about. How are you prepping for SFAS while deployed? What will be your prep time?
Hate to have you come back not ready, get thrown out in the woods and come back in a week.
Pete
I was out of the service for two years when I re-enlisted for SF. I was in the service for 4 days and entered Phase One and never looked back.
If one thinks they're ready then have at it. If they fail lesson learned.....
Just my opinion.....;)
TS
Mtn,
Thanks for the info! I'm getting on it now. Just to clarify: I still havent heard back from my recruiter yet that this is a possibility. So don't every joe out there in trashcanistan start packing your house just yet. While I'm waiting to hear from him I'm going to check HRC's website to read the full MILPER message to confirm.
HOWEVER, provided this is authentic, I'm on the first bird out of here that I can wrangle. I've been kicking myself everyday for not signing 18X when it was offered to me but.... priorities. Patience is a good thing.
If by chance there happen to be some of the 7th group guys out of Vance reading, it would be awesome to try and hook up with you sometime for some PT or a ruck around the perimeter.
Bull
Just to clarify: I still havent heard back from my recruiter yet that this is a possibility. So don't every joe out there in trashcanistan start packing your house just yet. While I'm waiting to hear from him I'm going to check HRC's website to read the full MILPER message to confirm.
HOWEVER, provided this is authentic, I'm on the first bird out of here that I can wrangle. I've been kicking myself everyday for not signing 18X when it was offered to me but.... priorities. Patience is a good thing.
I'm not a Recuiter, Email him and get him to get that MILER too. Hopefully it works for you. But, I don't see your unit releasing you. So be ready to stay for the long hual.
Train and get in better shape. You have the right mind set! :lifter Keep tracking.
"You can have anything you want, if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, if you hold that desire with singleness of purpose."
--Abraham Lincoln
Ok, still haven't heard back from the recruiter and I haven't been in a position where I've been able to call yet, but I did some research and I'll post it now for anyone else who may be interested.
"The" paper:
INFORMATION PAPER
SUBJECT: Active Duty (AA) Stop Loss/Stop Movement program
1. References. There are eight MILPER messages which provide procedural guidance for the implementation of the Army Stop Loss/Stop Movement Program. MILPER Messages # 04-169, 04-205, 04-227, 05-006, 05-092, 05-093, 05-134 and 05-238 are available on the Human Resources Command website at www.hrc.army.mil
It goes on about SL/SM and says, "Stop Loss/Stop Move affects enlisted, officers and warrant officers. The key exceptions are shown below. Annex B contains a complete listing."
Flip to Annex B....
11. Soldiers identified for SFAS, SFQC, Special Operations Aviaition Assessment Programs, Special Mission Unit Assessment Programs, Ranger indoctrination Program and/or Ranger Orientation Program.
This looks to me like we can now get class dates and be pulled from theater to attend selection, and thats how it was presented to me by someone who as been in the army a few more days than me. I read the MILPER messages to see if I could find something there and they're pretty hard for me to decipher.
04-169 was the original message dealing with SL/SM, which expires June of this year. The rest of the messages were either ammendments to show exceptions to the program, or were detailing new "codes" to be put in your records regarding SL/SM.
So basically I'm having to wait to confirm that I can go, how soon I can go, and what I need to finish doing so my packet is complete and I can get a class date. If anyone else is interested I'd suggest calling/emailing your SF recruiter to try and confirm. I think mine may be on leave or something.
Anyway, hope this helps a little.
Bull
HAHA, jokes on me....
Recruiter finally emailed me back. The final word is:
The SL/SM can be waved PRIOR to your deployment, not DURING. The only other way to get to orders to selection mid-deployment is for your unit to willingly redeploy you to reard-d, and from there you can get orders to selection. We all know thats not gonna happen. So... strap that ruck on your back and drive on! Just more time to get ready.
I just wish someone would've said that in the danged MILPER so I wouldn't have gone on this wild goose chase....
HAHA, jokes on me....
Recruiter finally emailed me back. The final word is:
The SL/SM can be waved PRIOR to your deployment, not DURING. The only other way to get to orders to selection mid-deployment is for your unit to willingly redeploy you to reard-d, and from there you can get orders to selection. We all know thats not gonna happen. So... strap that ruck on your back and drive on! Just more time to get ready.
I just wish someone would've said that in the danged MILPER so I wouldn't have gone on this wild goose chase....
Well you got your Ruck, order the book, and get a training partner!! Good luck!!