01-31-2007, 20:41
|
#1
|
|
Asset
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Kelowna, BC
Posts: 8
|
Life paths and decisions, would like some guidance
I am a sophomore in high school at the moment, and have my mind set on SF. Read through Get Selected for SF twice (thanks WM!), and I'm certain it's what I want.
At the moment, I have the options after graduating of working on an oilrig and making a large amount of money (50-60k/yr) until I'm 20 and enlist (18x minimum age requirement),
or go to college and get a 2 year degree (probably business) then enlist,
or enlist right after high school, serve infantry for a couple years, then fill out the application for SFAS.
A couple side points about my plans, the college plan bugs me because I'm afraid it would be a waste of time until I can enlist. While business (stock and real estate investment in particular) interest me, I can't imagine a business degree coming much in handy in SF unless we need to negotiate a trade for donkeys with some insurgents in a third world country.
About the immediate enlistment plan, I was thinking it might be a good plan to go through RIP and Ranger School, but then I read that Rangers really discourage people using the 75th as a quick stepping stone to SF.
Do you believe it is likely that a 20 year old 18x recruit would be mature enough to be a useful part of an ODA? Even if he has no tours, just an open mind and dedication?
What is your opinion on the college idea? Is it a waste of time, or would it be useful in getting some life experience and mental skills?
If I do immediately enlist, would you recommend RIP and Ranger School, and then going for SF as soon as I can?
I would appreciate any opinions on my plan, as it is easily subject to change, and what you guys say will have a large bearing on which path I take.
-Jon
P.S. I spent a half hour searching this site for "college," "degree," and "university." The only relevant topics I found were one about becoming 18A, and another about exactly which major to get.
|
|
MonkeySpunkey is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 20:52
|
#2
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,780
|
Jon:
As a kid in school, no doubt you have more time than we do, so do us all a favor and keep digging, this topic has been covered repeatedly in 18X vs. college vs. 18A vs. Option 40 (Ranger) then SF threads. In fact, if you work your way down the SF Question page that this is posted on, there are several similar questions posed for your reading pleasure.
Besides, as a Canadian HS sophmore, the odds are better of me hitting the lottery than you have of getting to SF.
I will say that you asked nicely and write very well for someone of your age and status.
Thanks for your interest and professionalism.
Good luck.
TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
|
|
The Reaper is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 20:54
|
#3
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wherever my ruck finds itself
Posts: 2,972
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by MonkeySpunkey
...A couple side points about my plans, the college plan bugs me because I'm afraid it would be a waste of time until I can enlist. While business (stock and real estate investment in particular) interest me, I can't imagine a business degree coming much in handy in SF unless we need to negotiate a trade for donkeys with some insurgents in a third world country...
|
Education is never a waste of time!
Crip
__________________
"It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees."
"Its not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman
"There are no obstacles, only opportunities for excellence."- NousDefionsDoc
|
|
Surgicalcric is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 21:13
|
#4
|
|
Asset
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Kelowna, BC
Posts: 8
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by The Reaper
Jon:
As a kid in school, no doubt you have more time than we do, so do us all a favor and keep digging, this topic has been covered repeatedly in 18X vs. college vs. 18A vs. Option 40 (Ranger) then SF threads. In fact, if you work your way down the SF Question page that this is posted on, there are several similar questions posed for your reading pleasure.
Besides, as a Canadian HS sophmore, the odds are better of me hitting the lottery than you have of getting to SF.
I will say that you asked nicely and write very well for someone of your age and status.
Thanks for your interest and professionalism.
Good luck.
TR
|
TheReaper: I appreciate the soft response :P. Apologies for my lack of SA, should have searched for threads relevant to my other question besides college.
I have dual citizenship, and I relate more to being an American than a Canadian, so that shouldn't be an issue when I enlist.
Thanks.
|
|
MonkeySpunkey is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 21:24
|
#5
|
|
Consigliere
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland (at last)
Posts: 8,767
|
Can you skate?
|
|
Roguish Lawyer is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 21:28
|
#6
|
|
Asset
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Kelowna, BC
Posts: 8
|
Only when I'm not building igloos and drinking beer.
Nah, I can't skate. Tried rollerblading and cut up my arms once though. Does that count?
|
|
MonkeySpunkey is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 21:30
|
#7
|
|
Consigliere
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland (at last)
Posts: 8,767
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by MonkeySpunkey
Nah, I can't skate.
|
I am surprised they haven't revoked your Canadian citizenship.
|
|
Roguish Lawyer is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 21:51
|
#8
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wherever my ruck finds itself
Posts: 2,972
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by MonkeySpunkey
...I have dual citizenship, and I relate more to being an American than a Canadian...
|
It doesnt matter much who you relate to. You will have to denounce your Canadian citizenship before you will be eligible for a secret clearance.
Crip
__________________
"It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees."
"Its not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman
"There are no obstacles, only opportunities for excellence."- NousDefionsDoc
|
|
Surgicalcric is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 22:04
|
#9
|
|
Asset
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Kelowna, BC
Posts: 8
|
And I'll do it in a heartbeat when the time comes.
|
|
MonkeySpunkey is offline
|
|
|
01-31-2007, 23:00
|
#10
|
|
Guerrilla
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 243
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by MonkeySpunkey
And I'll do it in a heartbeat when the time comes.
|
Maybe we can trade you for someone. I'm willing to give up Al Franken for MonkeySpunky, and I'll throw in Charles Rangel, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, et al.
|
|
Sionnach is offline
|
|
|
02-01-2007, 06:32
|
#11
|
|
Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Columbus
Posts: 756
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Sionnach
Maybe we can trade you for someone. I'm willing to give up Al Franken for MonkeySpunky, and I'll throw in Charles Rangel, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, et al.
|
I second that....all in favor......
__________________
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. - John Adams
|
|
sg1987 is offline
|
|
|
02-01-2007, 06:44
|
#12
|
|
Area Commander
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 1,425
|
I'm sure we can add to that list before we seal the deal no? 
__________________
You ask; What is our policy? I will say; “It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.” You ask; What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory—victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.-Winston Churchill
|
|
Goggles Pizano is offline
|
|
|
02-01-2007, 07:27
|
#13
|
|
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 3,045
|
Wait a minute, he can't skate. He needs to provide a proxy skater.
__________________
"Are you listening or just waiting to talk?"
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
"Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."
Optimus Prime
|
|
Kyobanim is offline
|
|
|
02-01-2007, 07:27
|
#14
|
|
Auxiliary
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 82
|
Trade?
How about we add most of the folks attending the Democratic National Convention to the list? 
__________________
Rest In Everlasting Peace to all of our Brothers who have passed.
MSG David Hurt
SSG Marvin Trost
SSG Thor Ingraham
SPC Edwin Roodhouse
PFC Nicholas Messmer
|
|
ABN_FO is offline
|
|
|
02-01-2007, 07:43
|
#15
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: In transit somewhere
Posts: 4,044
|
If he can't skate, he can't go to 10th .... It'll have to be a warm weather group.
Add shrillary to the list on the Trade - ahhh, one kid willing to go SF is worth the entire DNC, and all of the seated Dems... think Canada would take them, or is that unfair to Canada?
__________________
In the business of war, there is no invariable stategic advantage (shih) which can be relied upon at all times.
Sun-Tzu, "The Art of Warfare"
Hearing, I forget. Seeing, I remember. Writing (doing), I understand. Chinese Proverb
Too many people are looking for a magic bullet. As always, shot placement is the key. ~TR
Last edited by x SF med; 02-01-2007 at 07:45.
|
|
x SF med is offline
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:59.
|
|
|
Linear Mode
