18X with GED Plus Program.

[William941]

Hello.

I am wondering if it is possible to get the 18x contract along with GED Plus Option. I spoke with a Hero On Call who said that there is no policy that states that you can not do so. I have gotten a 56 for my AFQT also.

Another thing. I did NOT quit school because I was lazy or unmotivated. I had to take that sacrafice so I could get a full time job and help pull my family out of a very hard place. I took a sacrafice so others could benefit. My uncle is a Vietnam era Special Forces Soldier and he told me numerous times that I have what it takes and what I did is honorable and a trait that SF looks for.

I hope that is true.

Any help is very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance to all who replys!

[The Reaper]

Hello.

I am wondering if it is possible to get the 18x contract along with GED Plus Option. I spoke with a Hero On Call who said that there is no policy that states that you can not do so. I have gotten a 56 for my AFQT also.

Another thing. I did NOT quit school because I was lazy or unmotivated. I had to take that sacrafice so I could get a full time job and help pull my family out of a very hard place. I took a sacrafice so others could benefit. My uncle is a Vietnam era Special Forces Soldier and he told me numerous times that I have what it takes and what I did is honorable and a trait that SF looks for.

I hope that is true.

Any help is very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance to all who replys!

I do not see this happening.

What is your GT score?

Finally, what happened to your SEAL training plan?

TR

[Pete]

....Another thing. I did NOT quit school because I was lazy or unmotivated. I had to take that sacrafice so I could get a full time job and help pull my family out of a very hard place. ......

Do you have your GED right now? You're 20 years old.

If not why not?

If not - if you had time to practice martial arts you had time to get down to the local Community College and knock out your GED .

SF is looking for self starters.

[William941]

No I dont.

But let me ask you one thing, did you ever think for one second that it was financial problems? Not everyone grew up in a bright world where they could take that money and get it without worrying of your home being taken away, lights out.

Also, do you actually think that after 16 years I was just a student? I got paid from TEACHING and working at Wal-Mart then I went on to carrying bundles of shingles up ladders, cleaning all of the shingles from the houses, doing gutters, etc. I'm not trying to have an attitude, but just hear people out. One thing that I've noticed looking around here is that when someone comes here looking for help having different backgrounds, alot of people push them away and taunt them for not having the opportunitys that you have had.

Did I have the $125.00 and time to get my GED? no. I've also never had a cell phone, nothing for myself. You cant question someones motivation through a computer, based on one post, without knowing their situations.




I love training with the SEAL mentors, it's great! But this has always had my attention and desire more. If I went SEAL then I would've thought about what if I could've done Special Forces. Nothing fell through, it's just preferance.

[jlcoad]

William941,

Are you willing to join the Army without an 18x contract?

Are you willing to serve your country without a green hat?

If your only motivation to serve is to wear a green hat, grow your hair long and be seen on CNN riding a horse in some far away land, you are going to be greatly disappointed. (I might of read that in someone elses post, so if someone else said it please claim credit for it)

I am pretty sure that the motivation for alot, if not all, of the QPs here was the desire to serve their country after that came the desire to be the best.

Remember that the political climate in this country now is to make heros out of our service men and women. A few decades ago service personel, especially SF were villianized. Called baby killers and spit on in airports.
What happens, God forbid, if the climate changes and it is no longer "cool" to be SF?
What are you going to do if your family has problems and want you to bail them out again? Are you going to leave your team mates to help your family?

Now I am a FOG and may not be too current with military pay but I would guess that Walmart pays more than Uncle Sam

SF is part of the Army, ( I read that somewhere here too) it's not like high school or marriage. You can't just wake up one day and quit just because things aren't going your way or for any other reason.

Remember that Sf soldiers are patriots first, good lookin men in cool uniforms second.

If you can look yourself in the mirror and convince yourself to put your country first and yourself last, then join the Army, put everything into becoming a great soldier. Be the best at whatever you're assigned to do whether it be 11B or a cook. If you have what it takes to be SF you'll get there. If not you will still be able to say you were the best 11B or cook or whatever.

Not trying to put you down or discourage you. I am just expressing how I feel. It's up to you to decide what to do.

[William941]

Thanks. A real response.

Of course! It's not about the "Green Hat" or the "Glorified Soldier". I don't care about that, recognition is not what saves lives, the skill of the most elite soldiers do. I have family that was in Special Forces (most Vietnam era) I understand VERY clearly that it's NOT glamorous. I know that, and I want it. I swim at LEAST 2500 meters every day. I run 6, I ruck in Myakka State Park for hours, I PT constantly and I keep my mind on what I want. "De Opresso Liber" is a phrase that grasps me and fuels me further.

I have NOT even seen Rambo! lol, I'm not a "Oh, I want to be called a "Green Beret" Screw that, I want it because i'll be serving with the best out there, a brotherhood. The missions that they do, in my eyes, are extremely important. It not only focuses on war, but Humanitarian Aid at times. The leadership..I know that it's what I want and there is no doubt about that. I grew up around it. I'm familiar with it and I know that it's NOT glamorous. It's for me..


I wouldn't even waste their time if I didn't honestly believe that this is what I want, 110% and could make it.

[jlcoad]

You didn't answer my first question.

Is there a reason for that?

[Pete]

Thanks. A real response.........

You were given "A real response" by TR and myself.

You've had time to run around and play SEAL games but now you're making excuses as to why you didn't self motivate and finish your GED on your own.

SF ain't a video game.

One more smartass remark and you'll be wearing a new user name.

And Yes, I know a young lad in a similar situation as yourself. He decided at 20 to join the Army after dropping out of High School. While working he did go to the local CC and knocked out his GED.

[Richard]

One thing that I've noticed looking around here is that when someone comes here looking for help having different backgrounds, alot of people push them away and taunt them for not having the opportunitys that you have had.

You either haven't read much on this forum or your reading comprehension skills are not nearly as strong as your writing skills would indicate.

If you're looking for a shoulder to cry on - you can go to Dr Phil or the like - this is not an e-outpatinet clinic for those with emotional issues.

However - if you're seriously looking for advice regarding SF or SF matters - it's what you'll get - and lots of it - along with some strong, honest, experienced opinions. If the heat in this kitchen gets to you - IMO you'd best not step into the chef's school of SF because you'll soon find our ovens are nothing compared to the 18 program's.

You've had time to run around and play SEAL games but now you're making excuses as to why you didn't self motivate and finish your GED on your own.

My thoughts on this exactly - and the community colleges will help by offering reduced fees, deferred payments, or even Pell-like grants for those who are truly in dire financial straits - you need to visit with a counselor and ask. This country wants its citizens to achieve the highest educational levels for which they are capable and strongly supports that goal - but you've got to do your part.

Now - what do you want? :confused:

Richard's $.02 :munchin

[The Reaper]

No I dont.

But let me ask you one thing, did you ever think for one second that it was financial problems? Not everyone grew up in a bright world where they could take that money and get it without worrying of your home being taken away, lights out.

Also, do you actually think that after 16 years I was just a student? I got paid from TEACHING and working at Wal-Mart then I went on to carrying bundles of shingles up ladders, cleaning all of the shingles from the houses, doing gutters, etc. I'm not trying to have an attitude, but just hear people out. One thing that I've noticed looking around here is that when someone comes here looking for help having different backgrounds, alot of people push them away and taunt them for not having the opportunitys that you have had.

Did I have the $125.00 and time to get my GED? no. I've also never had a cell phone, nothing for myself. You cant question someones motivation through a computer, based on one post, without knowing their situations.

I love training with the SEAL mentors, it's great! But this has always had my attention and desire more. If I went SEAL then I would've thought about what if I could've done Special Forces. Nothing fell through, it's just preferance.

Check the attitude, as you have already already been told.

With every post I have seen here, you are proving that you are not currently ready for SF.

First, you do not have the education, and do not seem to be particularly eager to get it before proceeding to SF. You would be better served by spending the PT time completing your HS education rather than swimming and rucking.

Second, you seem to have a problem with authority, or at least a bad attitude.

Third, you are indicating a serious lack of maturity. That will pretty much guarantee that you are not as ready for SF as your family seems to think that you are.

Fourth, just what makes you think that you are so well-suited for SF?

If you had bothered to read more, you would have discovered that most of the posters here have dealt with far more adversity than you have had to thus far in your brief life. In fact, I cannot think of any SF guys who had someone show up and present them with their beret on a silver platter.

Again, more reading and less yakking, and you would have realized that there are two routes to get to SF. The 18X shortcut that you seem to feel should apply to you, despite the fact that you do not meet the pre-reqs, and the other, of just enlisting, and applying for SF after making E-4.

Don't shoot the messengers just because you do not like the messages. Your impertinence and disrespectful comments about your perceived value of the responses are not endearing you to anyone here, and will make it difficult for you to get knowledgable people to even bother to respond to your questions in the future. No one here is obligated to give you anything, and if you remain on this track, that is exactly what you will get. You might also consider that some of the people trying to answer your question may be significant to you in the future, should you ever get that far.

I would take what you have been given to heart, do more reading and research, complete your education, and then look at the available alternatives. If you persist on your current course, you are going to be on the outside looking in here.

TR

[William941]

"My thoughts on this exactly - and the community colleges will help by offering reduced fees, deferred payments, or even Pell-like grants for those who are truly in dire financial straits - you need to visit with a counselor and ask. This country wants its citizens to achieve the highest educational levels for which they are capable and strongly supports that goal - but you've got to do your part."



I was in Rhode Island and everywhere that I called there was NO help available financially. Do you think that there is help in Florida?

Also, I had no clue that you could wait until you are E-4 and then apply. I thought that since they trained you for that MOS that they give you a real hard time to apply for SF.

No attitude, it's just hard to read someone through the computer. It just seems that everyone that I speak to has different answers for this. I also was told that if I ever want SF, then I should enlist with the 18x contract because they have a hard time letting people go. So everyone that I speak to is honestly giving me conflicting storys!

Problem with authority? no, not at all. If I got my GED with the National Guard (which the recruiter said is a BETTER way to go because it offers MORE) then that would mean that prior to anything, I'd have my GED.

I trust your words more, because you are SF. Exactly what route did you guys take and should I trust recruiters words (about the GED and that the 18x contract is the ONE way to guarantee a shot)

No attitude intended..I'm just getting very confused with all of the storys.

[William941]

I also said YES! To "Would you join the Army without an 18x contract". I wasn't aware (and still dont know) if I could get a shot from within the Army. I was told that it's very hard to get your "higher ups" to agree to let you try out.

After reading the first replys. I do see where you were trying to help. The "Smart ass remark" I said was meant as a reply that helped. I have no clue why I took the first few replys as a negative thing.

What SEAL games are you talking about though? I never ONCE even contacted recruiters. I was found while I was working out and they wanted me to start training with them. I said OK! and everything worked out except for the fact that I want SF.


What routes are there? 11b and then what? In your opinions, from experience what should I do? If I go GED Plus thats NOT being lazy! that's getting the same GED thats required! But then I go straight into training, which is GREAT. But would I have a better shot if I got the GED outside? And why?

[The Reaper]

I also said YES! To "Would you join the Army without an 18x contract". I wasn't aware (and still dont know) if I could get a shot from within the Army. I was told that it's very hard to get your "higher ups" to agree to let you try out.

After reading the first replys. I do see where you were trying to help. The "Smart ass remark" I said was meant as a reply that helped. I have no clue why I took the first few replys as a negative thing.

What SEAL games are you talking about though? I never ONCE even contacted recruiters. I was found while I was working out and they wanted me to start training with them. I said OK! and everything worked out except for the fact that I want SF.


What routes are there? 11b and then what? In your opinions, from experience what should I do? If I go GED Plus thats NOT being lazy! that's getting the same GED thats required! But then I go straight into training, which is GREAT. But would I have a better shot if I got the GED outside? And why?

Your constant questions and need for personal assistance are growing tiresome. As noted many times here, we are looking for self-motivated people in SF.

Apparently, you have not even read enough to understand the different routes to SF, which are described in at least 100 threads here. What are you looking for that you are not willing to help yourself first?

If you don't want straight answers, don't ask questions. On this thread, you have received the advice of more than 100 years of collective SF experience. I recommend that you take the advice, do the research, get your GED, and dedicate yourself to completing whatever course you choose to take.

This thread is closed.

Have a very SF day.

TR

[Team Sergeant]

William941,

As was said above, you have time for martial arts but cannot find time to finish school?

Spare me your excuses as they are worthless.

I know Special Forces soldiers from foreign countries that lost everything, learned English, studied hard and earned their Green Beret.

I know other soldiers that grew up on welfare, quit school, got their GED, high school diploma's, college and retired Special Forces MSG's and SGM's.

Find somewhere else to whine. You are a loser of the worse kind. You'll probably wake up one day at forty and still be living with your mom.

You've been given the best advice in the world by Special Forces Officers and SF Sergeant Majors. Now move out and draw fire. You are done here.

(On this board you will find "sympathy" right between "shit" and "syphilis".)

Team Sergeant