SFDukie
12-17-2005, 21:53
Hello all, I'm an 18Xer who just got home on Christmas Exodus from Benning. I found this site through Google and have been amazed at the wealth of knowledge it holds for guys like me. I will be coming here often to find answers to my questions as I train for SFAS in March.
I am currently with Alpha Company, 1/329th INF at Benning. My platoon started with over 40 18xers and we've already lost 15 recruits who've decided they can't make it. Of the 25 of us who are left, 7 are putting in OCS packets and probably 4 or five will take that option if they get it. It's been quite an experience here at Basic, but after doing it, believe the rigors of Basic, AIT, and Airborne back-to-back are getting me mentally and physically in the kind of shape I must be in to complete SFAS.
One question I had concerns getting assigned to an SF group after SFAS (the possibility of NOT being selected is the furthest thing from my mind. . . Cast or Tab!). I lived for a few years in South Korea and along the North Korean in China and speak Korean fluently. I wondered if that plays any role in selection itself for the Q course, or if after being selected, I am predisposed to be with the 1st Group. I want to work with the 1st Group more than anything as most of my college education was focused on East Asian history, languages, and security studies. Since I already will test out of that language, will I skip that portion of training altogether or would I get the option of learning a new language?
I am currently with Alpha Company, 1/329th INF at Benning. My platoon started with over 40 18xers and we've already lost 15 recruits who've decided they can't make it. Of the 25 of us who are left, 7 are putting in OCS packets and probably 4 or five will take that option if they get it. It's been quite an experience here at Basic, but after doing it, believe the rigors of Basic, AIT, and Airborne back-to-back are getting me mentally and physically in the kind of shape I must be in to complete SFAS.
One question I had concerns getting assigned to an SF group after SFAS (the possibility of NOT being selected is the furthest thing from my mind. . . Cast or Tab!). I lived for a few years in South Korea and along the North Korean in China and speak Korean fluently. I wondered if that plays any role in selection itself for the Q course, or if after being selected, I am predisposed to be with the 1st Group. I want to work with the 1st Group more than anything as most of my college education was focused on East Asian history, languages, and security studies. Since I already will test out of that language, will I skip that portion of training altogether or would I get the option of learning a new language?