18Xers

[NousDefionsDoc]

I would be interested in knowing why.

[jleary]

I would have to state the obvious reason of wanting to serve my country, but that goes for anybody who joins the military, even if it is to be a cook or something of that nature. For me, it took a lot more than that.

I really consider the work that you gentlemen are doing to be extremely important, especially given the current world situation. I'm not really talking about the "kicking down the doors" aspect of the job, but the solid relationships that get built by A-Teams in foreign countries, whether its in Columbia or Afghanistan. I think that it can do a lot as far as how other people view the U.S.

It also comes out of a desire to work with the best soldiers there are, because if and when things do get hairy, it’s nice to know that the guys on either side of you know what they're doing. In addition to that, I also want to know that I have the best training there is.

I'm also the type of person that likes a challenge. I've never failed at anything that I dedicated myself to 100% and I don't plan on failing at this, but only time (and maybe The Reaper) will tell if I have what it takes.

I hope that explains it, I could go on for a lot longer, but I don't want to ramble too much.

[brownapple]

jleary,

I think that's a pretty good answer. Good luck.

[NousDefionsDoc]

A-Teams in foreign countries, whether its in Columbia

Columbia is not in a foreign country, its in Manhatten, NYC, NY, USA.

[The Reaper]

Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
Columbia is not in a foreign country, its in Manhatten, NYC, NY, USA.

Dooooh! Also South Carolina.

Owned!!

TR

[brownapple]

Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
Columbia is not in a foreign country, its in Manhatten, NYC, NY, USA.

I'm from Manhattan, and if you don't think it's a foreign place, you need to go live there!!

:D

[The Reaper]

Originally posted by Greenhat
I'm from Manhattan, and if you don't think it's a foreign place, you need to go live there!!

:D

Manhattan, Kansas, or New York?

TR

[brownapple]

Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, NY, NY ;)

[Surgicalcric]

Originally posted by The Reaper
Dooooh! Also South Carolina.

Owned!!

TR


DAMMIT!

[Intruder]

I guess like most ignorants out there, I've held the stigma of "the Snake-eater." The bad-ass, Rambo, take-no-names-and-definitely-no-prisoners killer-guy. When I decided I was going to join, my first choice was an easy one: Army. Then, where in the Army?

Well, I've never really been "average" so-to speak, at anything I did, and I wasn't going to start now. I had always wanted to "be a Ranger," so that was where I looked first. Sounds like a hoot, and I was 'this close' to going with an Option 40. (The 18X was something I very briefly looked over and decided "those guys" or "that" wasn't really me. How little I knew.) My recruiter said it'd be easier getting an 18X than a RIP contract, so, naturally and naively, I believed him. But first, I needed to go research...

Holy Mother of God was I wrong. If everything I've read about an SF soldier is correct, and I like to think so, then this is DEFINITELY for me. I've always strived to be as well-rounded and good at anything I do, and you guys seem to embody that. The Renaissance Man, if you will (not Danny DeVito). You're not like (pardon me) most Marines who's claim to "guard Heavens Gates" is taken literally, and thus, spoken about routinely. (Most of you) seem to be rather humble, and I find comfort in that. Theres no need to brandy about with what you've done, what you would or will do. I like that.

You take pride in what you do. You do it knowing there won't be a parade or TV interview or magazine cover waiting. And you do it (partially?) because of that.

ODAs are very tight-knit groups. Sure, you could probably say that about lots of infantry units, but there is just something different. How often does a "typical" Cpt. help dig and get dirty with his men?

Damn, sorry to ramble.... Basically, from my readings, I think my personality fits. I'm not the best at anything, but I'm pretty good at everything. :rolleyes: I'm intelligent, physically able, motivated, selfless/generous, patient, ...... blah blah blah. I feel like I'm writing a personal.. Anyway...

WeDoc asked why: because it fits, and I can do it.

P.S. Oh ya, and that whole, "love my family, friends and country and want to serve for them," yadda yadda... ;)


sine pari

[Weazle23]

It took about a year to decide to join the military in any capacity. Growing up, the military was never presented as a viable option for me, (parents used to be hippies) so when I started considering it, I wanted to make sure it was the Right thing for me to do. Once the decision to join was made, I started looking at what jobs interested me. Doors were opened that I didn't even know were there and The more I looked into SF the more I saw it as the perfect fit for me. Even the term "Quiet Professional" speaks of what I want to exemplify as a solider. I really respect doing something incredible without the feeling the need to tell people about it. There's more to it than that, but I should get back to my current job...

[D9 (RIP)]

Well, I'm not 18X - thanks to the Army's boneheaded policy towards prior-service - but I think the idea is the same...

I am an idealist.

There is an image that is indellibly carved into my memory. It is an image of a girl about my age. She was someone's daughter - probably someone's girlfriend or wife - maybe a mother. She was in the open noon of her life, with every opportunity afforded by the blessing of American freedom at her disposal. She was probably a professional, and had probably studied hard and worked long hours to have the happiness that was probably a big part of her life. She worked for a company that made other people's lives richer, and earned her keep not by preying on others but by mutual trade for mutual benefit. She was probably pretty, or at least I imagine she was. She probably had a benevolent smile. She probably got together with girl friends once a week to watch a favorite TV show. She probably had a dog-eared favorite novel she kept in her nighstand. She probably hated scary movies, and loved high romance. She was probably a terrific, young, American girl enjoying her life.

The image I have is of her tumbling peacefully, slowly, head-over-heels, her head arched back and her eyes closed in tragic resignation to so much that was possible. She is falling against the backdrop of the WTC, that majestic monument to man's mind and human acheivement that exists now only as an apparation in our memories and on memorial walls. She is falling for an aching eternity, over a thousand feet, having been forced by the craven evil of some sub-human beasts to make the final decision of her life: die burning in the conflagration that was now the World Trade Center, or cast herself down to a brutal death on the cold pavement over a thousand feet below. I will never - ever - forget that image.

Encapsulated in that event is the recognition that the things that died with that young woman that day, are the things I love in the world. Those are also the same things - wanting to be happy, successful, and free in this life - that many, many people in the world believe merits a death sentence.

I will not be their apologists.

I will not offer them succor nor extend them my sympathy.

In fact, until all those who did this and their sympathizers are hunted to extinction, then I am going to be fighting against them tooth and nail on every front: militarily, financially, and most importantly - intellectually. I refuse to live as anyone's unconquered slave. I will be no man's prey, and will not live a life of chronic anxiety haunted by the knowledge that tomorrow may be the day my life is swept away in one of their vicious plots. So long as this threat is real and imminent, I will not stick my head in the sand while these vermin plot and scheme. Those are my reasons. They are entirely selfish. It is because I love my life, that I will not stop until those who mean to revoke my right to enjoy it are so much rotting carrion. If the rest of America benefits by it, then it is just one of life's happy coincidences - mutual trade for mutual benefit.

As for why SF, because it is the top of the food chain. Because it is more of a thinking man's unit than any other I am aware of in the military, and I am of the opinion that the mind is always the most powerful weapon. I want to be among the best in this regard.

But if it were not SF, because of bureaucratic hurdles or some other barrier, then I would find the next best thing and do that. I have heard it said about airborne operations that it is just a means of insertion. To me, SF is just a means to accomplishing the goal of fighting against the evil that menaces everything I love - it just happens to be the best means I can identify.

[dd37]

I was tired of being on the sidelines. I watched the events after 9/11 unfold from a fixed post. That sucked. I promised myself on that post that I would do what I had to in order to get in the game. I can not think of a group of guys in this world I would be more proud to call teammate. I hope I have that opportunity and can be a contributor.

[NousDefionsDoc]

dd37,
Did you read that whole thread you just posted on in the pipeline?

[Surgicalcric]

My father instilled a strong sense of duty and service to ones country in me from a young age. I often sit and stare at my father’s shadow box in my office. I look at the pictures of him as a young man serving a country to which he was an immigrant, pictures of him standing a top pillboxes overlooking the beaches at Normandy. There is a look of satisfaction on his face. I want what he had.

I find myself wishing I had enlisted many years ago instead of pursuing a career in the Fire Service and EMS. I have thoroughly enjoyed my life thus far. I have enjoyed giving of my time, energy, and in some cases blood to the people in my community, but it is time to move on. It is time to seek another challenge, to find another way to give back to my country. And like so many others I felt a sudden draw to military service as the result of 9.11.01.

In an effort to figure out what it was I wanted to enlist into I began looking into the 75 Ranger Regiment and Special Forces. I have never been an average guy and have never settled for being ordinary. It did not take me long at all to narrow it down to just one option. Special Forces affords me everything I am looking for. The types of missions, the caliber of men, the satisfaction that comes with knowing I am serving with the best, and the security and peace of mind that comes with knowing the men to my left and right are just as dedicated as I am to not being average or just meeting the standard.

In addition I look forward to bringing Infinite Justice to those responsible for causing the deaths of many of my fellow Americans in a way only Special Forces can, quietly but violently.

[.45ACP]

It's always hard for me to explain exactly why I want to be in Special Forces. There are many reasons, service to country is definitely one of them. I had looked into the idea and researched it until 9/11 hit and that really reinforced my desire. Service to my country runs in my blood almost like I'm called to it.

I have always been drawn to SpecOps type units. Admittedly, at first I wanted to be a Navy SEAL. I had pursued that for some time, even getting eye surgery to be eligible. A lot of things kept barring me from entry into the Navy though (vision waivers, lazy recruiter, etc.) but even when the way finally opened I had decided it wasn't what I wanted.

During this time and with further research, I came to realize that Army SF is truly what I want, for many reasons, all of which have been named by others on this thread. I think jLeary especially hit it on the head. To serve with a group of quiet professionals who I know I can trust and rely on, and to have the same trust and reliance in me. I see the job SF does to be utterly important and extremely effective in it's goals. I have long wanted to do something that makes a difference. Also, I have to admit the nature of the lifestyle is very appealing to me, I like being challenged, I like hard work, and I like adverse conditions, amongst other things SF does.

Anyway, the list goes on but I will stop before it is too late to shut up. Suffice it to say that I want this and I want it bad. I am very grateful for the opportunity the 18X option provides, and for all of the help provided on this board.

[Ockham's Razor]

I took a good deal of time thinking about this before I signed my contract. I have a deep desire to serve this Nation. I wanted to also, because I had the option, put myself in a position where I could make the most of my contribution either in peace-time or war. The 18X route offers a place where, if selected, you have the ability to be constantly involved in carrying out Policy. To be surrounded by people who WANT to be there. Surrounded by and working with and for people who truly believe in what they are doing.

That may seem like a short answer, but I really can't expound on it. It is exactly what I believe in. The only other thing I can say is that discussing this subject over the past year or so with all of you has made it clear as to exactly what this committment means. It's no light undertaking. I would never have signed that contract if I thought I was taking a slot away from a better candidate. I honestly feel that I can fill a slot and contribute to the mission. Only time and effort will tell if that proves to be true. I embrace that and will give all that I can. Never Quit.

Thank you for the chance to explain this.

Respectfully submitted.

[MatthewNC]

Simply put, the opportunity. The opportunity to do things that I can only dream about, to make an impact, to look back at my life at some point and say that I made a difference somehow and not look back and say "what if...". The 18X contract offered me those things more than anything else out there, military or civilian. My current job is great (at least that's what people tell me), but I am not satisfied or fulfilled by what I'm doing. I'm not making a difference in the world. SF allows me that chance, to work with highly motivated, task-oriented individuals in a team who demand the best everyday and who won't accept anything but your best. I wanted an environment that challenges me physically, mentally and emotionally everyday that I am there. I want to work in a team, whose members I know I can count on no matter the situation. I want to be a part of a group whose first though isn't "what about ME?", but "what about our team/objective/impact". I want to work with people who have situational awareness and know that there are ramifications to their actions, and take those into consideration. And if I was going to do something, I wanted to be the best at it, and I believe SF offers that opportunity.

Plus everybody I've had the opportunity to speak with from SF has a heck of a sense of humor, and I love a good joke.

[NousDefionsDoc]

So nobody did it for the chicks?:D

[Surgicalcric]

IIRC thats why I heard guys choose 7th Group though. :D

[switch100]

In an effort not to write the exact same thing as already written, I'd have to say that MatthewNC's reasoning for joining is almost identical to my own. Well written, MNC.

[.45ACP]

So it's true that SF guys get all the chicks? Even more reason!! Oh wait, I'm happily married nevermind.

[NousDefionsDoc]

Originally posted by Surgicalcric
IIRC thats why I heard guys choose 7th Group though. :D

Kissin' up will get you no where with the Team Sergeant




I however like it. You may continue.

[NousDefionsDoc]

LOL - I just remembered something from long, long ago.

When I was a buck private in the 82nd Airplane Gang, a couple of friends and I went up to the Main Post PX one bright sunny afternoon. It was really crowded for some reason. So anyways, we got a couple of sodas and went to find a table to sit down. Only there weren't any. But there were three chairs empty at one table that was otherwise occupied. Problem was, there were these two Green Hats, an E7 and an E8 if I remember correctly, sitting there. Both in khakis, both with 5th Group flashes, with those big old yeller stripes, just talking quietly to each other. Now we had walked all the way from Division and it was warm (August) and I really wanted to sit down and drink my pop.

But I just couldn't bring myself to interrupt them to ask if it would be ok. There was just a feeling that it wasn't the right thing to do. So I didn't. I had already decided I wanted to go to SF when I was like 8, but that settled any doubts I had. I had to be a member of the club that could get their own table at rush hour at the Main PX and nobody dared bother them. All the girlies were looking at them funny too and kind of biting their fingers. Never did find out who those guys were.