Contemplating 19d VS 18X

[beardedman]

Hello QP's I noticed their wasn't much discussion about going active duty as 19d then putting in a packet for SFAS. Would 19D be a somewhat better choice to thrive in before special forces. Seeing as how the MOS focuses heavily on Land Navigation, Dismounted Patrols and Reconaissance aswell as field craft and other skills. Or would going through 18x be good. I know I must decide myself what the best path is but I just wanted honest feedback from a QP perspective. I have learned a lot from this site and am currently working hard to get into shape regardless.

[miclo18d]

19D

[Razor]

19D's in Action

19D Scout (over radio): Bulldog 6, this is Saber 1; Checkpoint 1 clear.

19D Scout (over radio): Bulldog 6, this is Saber 1; Checkpoint 2 clear.

19D Scout (over radio): Bulldog 6, this is Saber 1; Checkp <BOOM!>

Commander (over radio): All units, this is Bulldog 6. Checkpoint 3 not clear--divert to Route Bravo.

[TrapperFrank]

We navigate at night,
Off the smell of
Dead Cav scouts...

[beardedman]

Haha thanks QP's I feel like 19D is overlooked a lot with everyone going airborne infantry I feel 19D makes sense in building that solid SF skill foundation I guess I will try my best to get Airborne aswell in the contract I still have a year however to make the choice in which Im using to prepare for the SF goal.

[miclo18d]

Haha thanks QP's I feel like 19D is overlooked a lot with everyone going airborne infantry I feel 19D makes sense in building that solid SF skill foundation I guess I will try my best to get Airborne aswell in the contract I still have a year however to make the choice in which Im using to prepare for the SF goal.
Not overlooked.

Skill Level I (E1 Private - E4 Specialist/Corporal)

Performs duties as crewmember, operates, and performs operator maintenance on scout vehicles: Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (M3 Bradley CFV), HMMWV (Humvee), M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle (Stryker), crew-served weapons, anti-armor weapons, and communications equipment.
Loads, clears, and fires individual and crew-served weapons.
Engages enemy armor with anti-armor weapons.
Operates and performs operator maintenance on wheeled vehicles.
Assists in the recovery of wheeled and tracked vehicles. Secures, prepares, and stows ammunition on scout vehicles.
Performs mounted and dismounted navigation.
Serves as member of observation and listening post.
Gathers and reports information on terrain features and enemy strength, disposition, and equipment.
Applies principles of escape and evasion.
Collects data for the classification of routes, fords, tunnels, and bridges.
Performs dismounted patrols.
Employs principles of cover and concealment and camouflage.
Assists with construction of light field fortifications, laying and removal of mines, and emplacing demolitions.
Requests and adjusts indirect fire.

Green is where the emphasis will be added for your job. The rest, well, unless your squad leader was a former Ranger Batt guy that got kicked out for a DUI, you probably won't see much more than lining up vehicles in the motor pool.

I could be wrong though.

[The Reaper]

As noted, units with high vehicle densities tend to spend an inordinate amount of time in the motor pool maintaining them.

Airborne infantry, not so much.

TR

[Box]

...imagine you were a tenured professor from MIT and you saw the following post on a bulletin board frequented by aspiring electronic engineers:

Hello all. I noticed there wasn't much discussion about going to college to study philosophy and then then putting in a job application to work in the electronics field. Would philosophy be a somewhat better choice to thrive in before taking a job working on electronics? Seeing as how skills acquired by philosophy majors enable them to get rewarding and valuable jobs it seems like a good path for me to follow or should I consider just going through a technical school that focuses on electronics? I know I must decide myself what the best path is but I just wanted honest feedback.
I feel like philosophy is overlooked a lot and with everyone going into the carpentry field I feel like philosophy makes sense in building that solid foundation in electronics skills. I guess I will try my best to get a good contract but I still have a year however to make the choice.


Would you engage this guy in meaningful conversation about a career in electronics?
Would you engage him with a conversation about how a career in electronic engineering is secondary to a solid foundation in philosophy?
Would you ignore him completely?


The Special Forces career field accepts initial enlistment Soldiers as long as you meet the proper prerequisites.
If there is a goal of serving in the United States Army as a Special Forces Soldier, the correct career field to choose is the 18 series MOS.
Don't bother people asking them about the Cavalry.
Don't be distracted by people joining the Infantry.
Don't waste your time with philosophy and the meaning of the word "is".
Enlist in the Army for an 18 series MOS.

...or don't.