Go Back   Professional Soldiers ® > Special Forces > Special Forces Questions

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-06-2010, 09:31   #1
ranger2339
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 23
Prior service 18x? Going back active.

I tried to search the subject and couldn't find what I was looking for,maybe I wasn't searching with the correct key words, I'm not sure? Sorry in advance if this subject has been covered.

So I'm going back AD, I spent 3 years with the deuce from 99-02,had a couple years break in service, then decided to join the guard in 04. I just got my release from the guard last week, so now its off to the AD recruiter.

My initial plan was to go back on the line, pound around there for a bit, get in super stud shape, get a SF packet together with the local SF recruiter and attend SFAS. To my surprise the Army isn't taking any prior service 11B's right now, so I ask the recruiter about those 18x contracts I've been hearing about. The next day I come back and he says yes its something I can do. Great that's the best news I've heard all week.

I guess my question is, how does it work for guys like me,since I dont have to go to basic,AIT or Airborne school? Do I just get my orders and report to Bragg, get put in some training unit and then get ready for SFAS? Do I need to go to Airborne retrain, since its been about 8 years since my last jump?



Thanks in advance,

Josh
ranger2339 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 09:46   #2
wet dog
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger2339 View Post
I tried to search the subject and couldn't find what I was looking for,maybe I wasn't searching with the correct key words, I'm not sure? Sorry in advance if this subject has been covered.

So I'm going back AD, I spent 3 years with the deuce from 99-02,had a couple years break in service, then decided to join the guard in 04. I just got my release from the guard last week, so now its off to the AD recruiter.

My initial plan was to go back on the line, pound around there for a bit, get in super stud shape, get a SF packet together with the local SF recruiter and attend SFAS. To my surprise the Army isn't taking any prior service 11B's right now, so I ask the recruiter about those 18x contracts I've been hearing about. The next day I come back and he says yes its something I can do. Great that's the best news I've heard all week.

I guess my question is, how does it work for guys like me,since I dont have to go to basic,AIT or Airborne school? Do I just get my orders and report to Bragg, get put in some training unit and then get ready for SFAS? Do I need to go to Airborne retrain, since its been about 8 years since my last jump?



Thanks in advance,

Josh

Why did you not transfer to an SF guard unit? They take applicants, have try-outs, trainers and can put on the SF path.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 10:09   #3
ranger2339
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 23
I have no desire to be in the guard anymore, I want to go active. I have a family now (wife and child) so I need them to be covered, financially and medically when I'm gone.

Last edited by ranger2339; 02-06-2010 at 10:14.
ranger2339 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 11:04   #4
Scimitar
Area Commander
 
Scimitar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hobbiton
Posts: 1,198
I was talking to 19th last week.

It seems possible to go thru ARNG, who I personally believe have better systems to prepare you, and then stick your hand up for Active Duty once you're out of the Q.

I'm not completely sure of the details or of its viability to fit your wants, but its definitely woth it for you to look into. I wouldn't write it off to soon.

In answer to your question…

The 18X pipeline is
11B-OSUT (Basic+11B School) / BAS (Jump School) / SOPC - Spec Op Prep Course (or whatever they call this now) / SFAS.

For prior service guys going 18X, depending on how long you've been out generally you will be slotted back into Basic at somewhere between week 3-10, ssome go to the Warrior Transition Course down in White Sands I think, but I doubt that's for you. Then you hit Jump school and SOPC.

In your case it sounds like they’ll give you OSUT (I’m guessing you where 11B in the Guard as well?)

So it’s looking like 3 weeks of Jump cos you’ve been away from that so long and then 4 weeks of SOPC (– is it still 4 weeks?)

The councilor at MEPS will give you a clear run down, but I'm guessing you want to get a feel of how much run time you have up to Selection so you can see how much time you have to prep?

HTH


Scimitar
__________________
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks."
-- Phillip Brooks

"A man's reach should exceed his grasp"
-- Robert Browning

"Hooah! Pushing thru the shit til Daisies grow, Sir"
-- Me

"Malo mori quam foedari"
"Death before Dishonour"
-- Family Coat-of-Arms Maxim

"Mārohirohi! Kia Kaha!"
"Be strong! Drive-on!"
-- Māori saying

Last edited by Scimitar; 02-06-2010 at 11:17.
Scimitar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 11:06   #5
Defion69
Quiet Professional
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Overseas GE
Posts: 95
I don't know if you are an NCO, if not, you would have to go through WLC. Since you haven't jumped in a while, you would have to go through abn refresher (provided...don't worry about too much). Aside from that, you most likely will go straight into the pipeline.

On that note, good luck and kick it in the butt. Sounds like you are a bit older than the guys going through the pipeline but don't let that (your age) discourage you one bit. I know a guy who just graduated the Q at 48 and another guy who graduated Ranger school at 42. Yeah it may hurt a bit more but don't listen to the naysayers (and there will be plenty).

Take care and kick it in the arse!

Blue skies
Defion69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 11:49   #6
CoolT
Asset
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 10
Consider yourself lucky there killer. I'm PS as well and there were no 18X contracts available while I was at MEPS. I had to take 11B. I've been in contact with the 1st sgt at SORB in Benning and he is supposed to hook me up with an SF recruiter once I get to my duty station.

Do any of you gents have an idea of the time line right now for getting hooked up with a recruiter at duty station to actually leaving for SFPC/SFAS? I've heard different times, ranging from 2 weeks to a few months. The shorter the better.

I'm scheduled to ship 20100301
CoolT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 12:01   #7
deepblack 18x
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: tristate area
Posts: 61
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolT View Post
Consider yourself lucky there killer. I'm PS as well and there were no 18X contracts available while I was at MEPS. I had to take 11B. I've been in contact with the 1st sgt at SORB in Benning and he is supposed to hook me up with an SF recruiter once I get to my duty station.

Do any of you gents have an idea of the time line right now for getting hooked up with a recruiter at duty station to actually leaving for SFPC/SFAS? I've heard different times, ranging from 2 weeks to a few months. The shorter the better.

I'm scheduled to ship 20100301
The 18X rep at the FSC just told us that they are now briefing qualified 11B guys at Benning on a switch to 18X. He said it had something to do with a lot of the guys losing their options in BCT.

DB
deepblack 18x is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 12:06   #8
Scimitar
Area Commander
 
Scimitar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hobbiton
Posts: 1,198
Firstly,

I am pretty confident when I say there are ALWAYS 18x contracts, the question is WHEN are there 18X contracts.

The way the recruiting system works is a recruiter can only see open MOS slots that are something like 3 months out. When YOU enlisted there weren't any avaliable in THAT timeframe.

If you had asked they would have rang the Rock and opened a slot for you as they did for me.

However, it also may have been cos you didn't actually qualify for an 18X contract.

OPTIONS:
1) Go back to your recruiter advise him that you understand his mistake and request a ReNo to an 18X contract.

2) If you really want to you can push to be transfered over to 18X during 11B OSUT or BAC - Jump School. No gurantees.

It can take anywhere from perhaps 6 to 30+ months to get the the Q Course after getting to your first station, assuming you're Selected. What rank are you going in as? E2, E3, E4?

Are you sure you qualified for 18X? What makes you think you did?


Scimitar
__________________
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks."
-- Phillip Brooks

"A man's reach should exceed his grasp"
-- Robert Browning

"Hooah! Pushing thru the shit til Daisies grow, Sir"
-- Me

"Malo mori quam foedari"
"Death before Dishonour"
-- Family Coat-of-Arms Maxim

"Mārohirohi! Kia Kaha!"
"Be strong! Drive-on!"
-- Māori saying
Scimitar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 12:11   #9
greenberetTFS
Quiet Professional (RIP)
 
greenberetTFS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Carriere,Ms.
Posts: 6,922
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger2339 View Post
I tried to search the subject and couldn't find what I was looking for,maybe I wasn't searching with the correct key words, I'm not sure? Sorry in advance if this subject has been covered.

So I'm going back AD, I spent 3 years with the deuce from 99-02,had a couple years break in service, then decided to join the guard in 04. I just got my release from the guard last week, so now its off to the AD recruiter.

My initial plan was to go back on the line, pound around there for a bit, get in super stud shape, get a SF packet together with the local SF recruiter and attend SFAS. To my surprise the Army isn't taking any prior service 11B's right now, so I ask the recruiter about those 18x contracts I've been hearing about. The next day I come back and he says yes its something I can do. Great that's the best news I've heard all week.

I guess my question is, how does it work for guys like me,since I dont have to go to basic,AIT or Airborne school? Do I just get my orders and report to Bragg, get put in some training unit and then get ready for SFAS? Do I need to go to Airborne retrain, since its been about 8 years since my last jump?



Thanks in advance,

Josh
Josh,

How about filling out your public profile..............

Big Teddy
__________________
I believe that SF is a 'calling' - not too different from the calling missionaries I know received. I knew instantly that it was for me, and that I would do all I could to achieve it. Most others I know in SF experienced something similar. If, as you say, you HAVE searched and read, and you do not KNOW if this is the path for you --- it is not....
Zonie Diver

SF is a calling and it requires commitment and dedication that the uninitiated will never understand......
Jack Moroney

SFA M-2527, Chapter XXXVII
greenberetTFS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 12:20   #10
Scimitar
Area Commander
 
Scimitar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hobbiton
Posts: 1,198
Quote:
Originally Posted by deepblack 18x View Post
The 18X rep at the FSC just told us that they are now briefing qualified 11B guys at Benning on a switch to 18X. He said it had something to do with a lot of the guys losing their options in BCT.

DB
Hey DB,

Thanks for the updated info. Could you explain in a little more detail. Briefing?, losing options?

S
__________________
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks."
-- Phillip Brooks

"A man's reach should exceed his grasp"
-- Robert Browning

"Hooah! Pushing thru the shit til Daisies grow, Sir"
-- Me

"Malo mori quam foedari"
"Death before Dishonour"
-- Family Coat-of-Arms Maxim

"Mārohirohi! Kia Kaha!"
"Be strong! Drive-on!"
-- Māori saying
Scimitar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 12:27   #11
ranger2339
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by greenberetTFS View Post
Josh,

How about filling out your public profile..............

Big Teddy
Big Teddy,

I was under the impression that once we were in the "pipeline", we should sterilize our info.?


Thanks,
Josh
ranger2339 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 12:34   #12
CoolT
Asset
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 10
Thanks for that intel. I didn't qual for 18X cause i'm 32. They told me my best option was to put in for SF once I got to my DS. However, I have heard that they will sometimes ask for 18X volunteers during initial training, as you stated above. If they come asking, i'll definatley be raising the hand.
Thanks again.
CoolT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 12:37   #13
Scimitar
Area Commander
 
Scimitar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hobbiton
Posts: 1,198
Did you request an age waiver, there not to hard to get. Recruiters don't like the paperwork. What did they tell you exactly about the age thing. You didn't advise me of your entry rank.

I'd encourage you to be proactive, don't wait for them to come around, Ask you're DS during the later stages of OSUT or go during Airborne. Go to them, don't wait for them to come to you.

Do you otherwise qualify for an 18 series contract. Many a lad has gone in thinking he want to go SF, not realising he don't actually qualify.

S
__________________
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks."
-- Phillip Brooks

"A man's reach should exceed his grasp"
-- Robert Browning

"Hooah! Pushing thru the shit til Daisies grow, Sir"
-- Me

"Malo mori quam foedari"
"Death before Dishonour"
-- Family Coat-of-Arms Maxim

"Mārohirohi! Kia Kaha!"
"Be strong! Drive-on!"
-- Māori saying

Last edited by Scimitar; 02-06-2010 at 12:39.
Scimitar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 12:55   #14
Anevolution
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Va
Posts: 40
my .02

Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger2339 View Post
Big Teddy,
I was under the impression that once we were in the "pipeline", we should sterilize our info.?
Thanks,
Josh
Ranger,
He wasn't asking for you ssn or you zip code, they just want to know who you are and units served in etc. Also x2 on what DB said Mr.Olsen puts out good up to date info on futuresoldiercenter.com I would send him a pm on there he can sort you out, he is the Man. From what I understand 18x is always open maybe not when you went, but in the near future it will be if that's what you want don't take anything else. If it is not in your contract it may be awhile before you get to SFAS. Plus with the new pipline you get a lot more prep before hand.

V/r
Anevolution
Anevolution is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2010, 13:00   #15
ranger2339
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by Defion69 View Post
I don't know if you are an NCO, if not, you would have to go through WLC. Since you haven't jumped in a while, you would have to go through abn refresher (provided...don't worry about too much). Aside from that, you most likely will go straight into the pipeline.

On that note, good luck and kick it in the butt. Sounds like you are a bit older than the guys going through the pipeline but don't let that (your age) discourage you one bit. I know a guy who just graduated the Q at 48 and another guy who graduated Ranger school at 42. Yeah it may hurt a bit more but don't listen to the naysayers (and there will be plenty).

Take care and kick it in the arse!

Blue skies
I'm an E-5 right now, I graduated Honor Grad at WLC (that course was a joke) About 75% of the "leaders" there should of been sent back to basic, or kicked out of the Army. I dont mind going back to ABN training at all, I welcome the challenge of any schools,it would be nice to hit up the Bragg Pre Ranger course before SFAS.

Im only 28 years old, not to old IMO. I was 19 when I went to Ranger school, pushing well into the extended scale on my APFT, my goal is to be in that shape before SFAS.


Thanks for all the advice guys,

Josh
ranger2339 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 00:22.



Copyright 2004-2022 by Professional Soldiers ®
Site Designed, Maintained, & Hosted by Hilliker Technologies