dymension
05-15-2008, 20:33
The past few days, I've been debating with myself over my future in the military. I'm just airing my thoughts a bit and hope that some of you could take the time to add your thoughts as well.
I'm going down to Marine OCS this summer. If I make it through, I'll be offered a commission to become a 2nd LT. Now my recruiter knows about my obsession with Special Forces, and has been trying very hard to "turn" me into a Marine officer. I had told him before that my original plan had been to enlist after college under 18X and give it my best shot. So he knows that I don't want to wait the 2 or 3 years as an Army officer to become eligible for Special Forces.
I've been debating this because as things stand right now, I plan to turn down my commission after Marine OCS and follow through with my dreams. For a while there, I began envisioning myself as a Marine LT leading my platoon on raids, but I don't think that this is how I can best serve my country. Marines are great at things like DA, but when it comes to fighting an insurgency, I believe Special Forces are the right people for the job.
Not saying that I don't think highly of Marines. I was deeply impressed by Nate Fick's One Bullet Away and understand how important Marines are in our struggle against religious fanatics. However, I've always clicked with the Special Forces mission. They are not only warriors but teachers. They are our best weapons in fighting against a faceless, ever-changing, fluid insurgency because of the way they immerse themselves in the culture, learn to gain the trust of the locals, and train indigenous forces to defend themselves. Rather than just kicking in doors and killing anything that moves, I'd like to try and build trust with local villagers because that is the best way to prevent the creation of more insurgents and insurgency sympathizers.
Although I'm impatient to serve, I am willing to go to Army OCS if I believe that I can best serve as a Special Forces officer. If not, I'd like to go 18 Delta, if selected. I am highly motivated and work well under stress (or, at least whatever stresses a normal college student faces, I guess). I know that nobody can really answer this question for me, but I was hoping for some input, especially from the Quiet Professionals who've BTDT. Given my background and my desires, how can I make the greatest impact?
I'm going down to Marine OCS this summer. If I make it through, I'll be offered a commission to become a 2nd LT. Now my recruiter knows about my obsession with Special Forces, and has been trying very hard to "turn" me into a Marine officer. I had told him before that my original plan had been to enlist after college under 18X and give it my best shot. So he knows that I don't want to wait the 2 or 3 years as an Army officer to become eligible for Special Forces.
I've been debating this because as things stand right now, I plan to turn down my commission after Marine OCS and follow through with my dreams. For a while there, I began envisioning myself as a Marine LT leading my platoon on raids, but I don't think that this is how I can best serve my country. Marines are great at things like DA, but when it comes to fighting an insurgency, I believe Special Forces are the right people for the job.
Not saying that I don't think highly of Marines. I was deeply impressed by Nate Fick's One Bullet Away and understand how important Marines are in our struggle against religious fanatics. However, I've always clicked with the Special Forces mission. They are not only warriors but teachers. They are our best weapons in fighting against a faceless, ever-changing, fluid insurgency because of the way they immerse themselves in the culture, learn to gain the trust of the locals, and train indigenous forces to defend themselves. Rather than just kicking in doors and killing anything that moves, I'd like to try and build trust with local villagers because that is the best way to prevent the creation of more insurgents and insurgency sympathizers.
Although I'm impatient to serve, I am willing to go to Army OCS if I believe that I can best serve as a Special Forces officer. If not, I'd like to go 18 Delta, if selected. I am highly motivated and work well under stress (or, at least whatever stresses a normal college student faces, I guess). I know that nobody can really answer this question for me, but I was hoping for some input, especially from the Quiet Professionals who've BTDT. Given my background and my desires, how can I make the greatest impact?