A shortened SFAS?

gun_bunny · 10-31-2007, 21:49

Here is part of an email that the SF recruiter I have been working with sent me. Is this unprecedented? What do the QPs think of this? And does this actually mean that the last SFAS class can rightgully say they went to the last hard cycle?

SFAS changes to include 14 day selection course

The Special Forces Command is proposing a change to SFAS which will have Soldiers going to Fort Bragg for a 14 day period for selection instead of 24 days. This will start with a test class in November of this year.

There are many other changes which are taking place in the Special Forces Command. As with the rest of the Army Special Forces are also going through a transformation period.

**The Reaper** · 11-01-2007, 05:02

Do you mind filling out your profile?

TR

Guy · 11-01-2007, 06:09

It does NOT matter how long the course is or what changes are made...YOU'RE STILL GOING TO: HAVE TO COMPLETE IT!

Take one day at a time...prepare for it and FIDO!

Stay safe.

LongWire · 11-01-2007, 16:49

I concur with Guy........In my mind I picture a Steeper Ramp up Curve, meaning you would really need to be wired tight..........Thats just me though.

**Pete** · 11-01-2007, 17:04

An old TAC told me one time " If you want something bad enough you'll stand on your head and shoot marbles for a week."

Don't think too hard on stuff you have no control over - just get ready and "DO IT".

Bob to the deep end of the pool.

Warrior-Mentor · 11-01-2007, 19:54

Interestin...saw a similiar e-mail today. Won't be SF Command making the decision...it will be SWCS. Would like to see the POI.

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 11-02-2007, 04:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by gun_bunny

And does this actually mean that the last SFAS class can rightgully say they went to the last hard cycle?.

The longest minute in your life on a wrestling mat is not lasting the last 60 seconds of the ninth minute but the last ten seconds when someone is working to pin you during the first minute or the last. Your goal is to be prepared to go the full nine minutes and not hope that they have cut it to six, especially if you are one of those folks that have done the minimum to just meet the standard. Most of us have all heard about, or have been in, the last hard class

and for some reason each succeeding class was the next last, last hard class. Don't worry, whatever the length, the cadre will know whether or not you have what it takes to go to the next step of trying to become a Special Forces Soldier. If, as some might fear, they have cut it to ramp up the numbers that they can put into the pipeline and some work their way into the system that should not be there, the real awakening will be on your first team. When you hear about Team Sergeants taking someone under their wing to bring them up to speed, they are not talking about some kindly gentleman placing his arm around your shoulder they are talking about someone putting you into a full nelson until your neck gets stong enough to carry your weight or it snaps.

Daver · 11-17-2007, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Interestin...saw a similiar e-mail today. Won't be SF Command making the decision...it will be SWCS. Would like to see the POI.

The change came from SWC and it is indeed 14 days. I've seen the POI and I was "Tasked" from the top to go and observe the class and provide input back to the command.

NOTE: If you are a prospective candidate preparing to attend this class, the same mindset must apply. DON'T QUIT

. SFAS has never been an easy task and it has adapted and changed over the years (just like many things do) but the one consistent part is that you can't be selected if you aren't standing at the end.

Consider this when you're deep into the suck and you feel sorry for yourself...
The worst day in SF is better then ANY day in the Regular Army. Remember what Cpt Miller said to Private Ryan at the end of the movie Saving Private Ryan, "Earn this", and if you do, you will have the chance to join the only fraternity where EVERY single "Brother" of yours will never leave your side no matter what!
Something to consider...

**18C4V** · 11-18-2007, 07:15

I was in England a few months ago and there were some 18C who were 18X's. They were in the fist couple classes of the 18X program. They told me that their SFAS class was two weeks and it was some sort of pilot class. They did say it was a ball buster. Us "older " guys laughed and said "it must have sucked to be you"!!!!

Daver · 11-18-2007, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18C4V

I was in England a few months ago and there were some 18C who were 18X's. They were in the fist couple classes of the 18X program. They told me that their SFAS class was two weeks and it was some sort of pilot class. They did say it was a ball buster. Us "older " guys laughed and said "it must have sucked to be you"!!!!

The 2 week class begins Nov 28th.

SF_VOL · 11-18-2007, 09:17

So, is the Nov. 28th class just a "test class" or is this an actual fully implemented change to SFAS for the foreseeable future? I think it's very interesting and would agree with Guy and Longwire, just because it's shorter doesn't mean it will be any easier. As a matter of fact, it could be just the opposite.

**The Reaper** · 11-18-2007, 09:27

I see no way to pack in the testing, stress events, land nav classes, STAR, team events, and situationals into 14 days, even if you were training 24 hours per day. And each of those events have been tried and tested, before being deemed necessary to select and assess our future students. If you are not going to be permitted to attrit students during the SFQC because they have already been selected as trainable, the ability to get a good snapshot of the candidates in order to make good selections is critical.

This does not strike me as a particularly good thing. Do you see SMUs shortening or changing their selection courses?

TR

**Team Sergeant** · 11-18-2007, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

This does not strike me as a particularly good thing. Do you see SMUs shortening or changing their selection courses?

TR

Not everyone has the never ending check book.

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 11-18-2007, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I see no way to pack in the testing, stress events, land nav classes, STAR, team events, and situationals into 14 days, even if you were training 24 hours per day. And each of those events have been tried and tested, before being deemed necessary to select and assess our future students. If you are not going to be permitted to attrit students during the SFQC because they have already been selected as trainable, the ability to get a good snapshot of the candidates in order to make good selections is critical.

This does not strike me as a particularly good thing. Do you see SMUs shortening or changing their selection courses?

TR

I agree.

Scimitar · 11-18-2007, 12:43

In as much as any word of mouth can be trusted....

I just finished speaking with a buddy who got Med Drop (ITB Syndrome) from the Oct SFAS and will be hitting the Nov class once healed.

He has been told (not sure who by) that they are taking out Land Nav!

I thought it may have been taking down the in-processing and then shaving a day or two off each element.

He also advised that they are considering shortening SOPC-1 to 14 days as well.

For what its worth that’s the word on the street.

Scimitar