MI 2LT Requesting Assistance

Stryker1776 · 02-13-2009, 09:19

Hello all. I am Matt, a 22 year old Second Lieutenant. I’ve been on active duty for only three months, and have absolutely no prior military experience.

I’m presently at Military Intelligence OBC. I’ve been assigned to 3rd SBCT, 2nd ID. I owe the Army seven years of active duty service, and I intend on making myself as educated and useful as possible to our country. I’ve had the honor of knowing several SOF Soldiers from around the world, and after having spent time with them I believe my place is with Army Special Forces. I believe in their core principles, their mission, and I want to be able to work with a team of peers to help facilitate success.

My question to you gentlemen is as follows:
What professional development steps can I take to prepare myself physically, emotionally, and mentally, especially since I’m not branched Combat Arms?

I plan to attend Ranger school when I return from my deployment downrange, and I’m working through a self-imposed rigorous physical regimen, to include lots of rucking. What types of skills, schools, etc. should this brand new MI 2LT do to improve his chances of making it through SFAS and the Q Course?

v/r

Matt

Blitzzz (RIP) · 02-13-2009, 09:34

First advice is SEARCH Button, SEARCH button, SEARCH button. There will be more than enough info to occupy you before asking too many questions in the threads.
Best first to follow instructions. Read Rules and instructions and make an Introduction in the right place. Blitzzz

SF_BHT · 02-13-2009, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzzz

First advice is SEARCH Button, SEARCH button, SEARCH button. There will be more than enough info to occupy you before asking too many questions in the threads.

2nd advice is to do an Intro as required.

Then do more reading.......

Stryker1776 · 02-13-2009, 10:10

My mistake.

JJ_BPK · 02-13-2009, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stryker1776

My mistake.

And put a little meat in your profile.. unit/mos/schools??

Welcome to our home..

Dozer523 · 02-13-2009, 10:19

Matt, You ought to add a little meat to that public profile, too. We're a curious bunch here.

Stryker1776 · 02-13-2009, 10:30

You got it Dozer. I just added to it.

PinelandVet66 · 02-16-2009, 00:26

Drink Water, take a knee and face out!

MC1971 · 04-05-2009, 17:59

Some advice for you as I sort have been in your shoes, although not as a MI type:

1) Do you OBC's pre-ranger program if they have one, sounds like you haven't done that.

2) Get your Ranger Slot through your OBC program and don't rely on "going" after you get to your unit or once you finish your deployment. They may not send you and its not as easy as saying you want to go.

3) Don't be in such a rush to get to your unit without a tab if you can avoid it, or at least a set of Airborne wings. Believe or not, your unit will deploy and do just fine if one more 2nd Lt. doesn't get there until a month or two after it deploys downrange. Getting your Ranger Tab will at least help you in some aspects of SFAS and in the Army in general.

4) After you have done all of that and seriously thought about your future, drop your year group packet to attend SFAS. If you do that and get picked up to attend a SFAS date, prepare yourself physically, mentally and go. Then after about 7 days there, and everyday thereafter re-evaluate if you really want it. After you do those things and your mind is sure, go forward.

Good luck

blue02hd · 04-05-2009, 19:25

One, I would recommend you stop posting until you have followed the advice given on this thread and in your introduction email you received. Two, I wouldn't take advice from someone on the internet who hasn't been selected yet.

**The Reaper** · 04-05-2009, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC1971

Some advice for you as I sort have been in your shoes, although not as a MI type:

1) Do you OBC's pre-ranger program if they have one, sounds like you haven't done that.

2) Get your Ranger Slot through your OBC program and don't rely on "going" after you get to your unit or once you finish your deployment. They may not send you and its not as easy as saying you want to go.

3) Don't be in such a rush to get to your unit without a tab if you can avoid it, or at least a set of Airborne wings. Believe or not, your unit will deploy and do just fine if one more 2nd Lt. doesn't get there until a month or two after it deploys downrange. Getting your Ranger Tab will at least help you in some aspects of SFAS and in the Army in general.

4) After you have done all of that and seriously thought about your future, drop your year group packet to attend SFAS. If you do that and get picked up to attend a SFAS date, prepare yourself physically, mentally and go. Then after about 7 days there, and everyday thereafter re-evaluate if you really want it. After you do those things and your mind is sure, go forward.

Good luck

And you would be...?

Other than someone who has not bothered to read or comply with the simple instructions we ask of all new members.

As you have already been advised, you should probably stop posting and offering advice till you have shown that you are qualified to do so.

Please do as asked within the next 48 hours.

TR

alright4u · 04-05-2009, 22:32

Sisler was MI.

**Team Sergeant** · 04-06-2009, 10:43

Easy easy, he did state he was a 2nd LT!

He just needs someone to give him the proper map sheet and set him on the correct azimuth.....

And LT always remember, if you can read "Front Towards Enemy" it's pointed the wrong way......

Team Sergeant

Richard · 04-06-2009, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC1971

Some advice for you as I sort have been in your shoes, although not as a MI type:

WARNING: The value of instructions received from those who can't follow simple instructions themselves have about as much value as the bursting radius of a snivel.

PM me if you'd like an even simpler explanation of the term FTFSI.

Richard's $.02

GrumbleandGrunt · 04-07-2009, 17:14

As someone who went through the 14 day SFAS program after a couple of years as a line infantry officer I would advise you to physically prepare yourself with Crossfit.

The caveat is you must do Crossfit correctly. Otherwise you risk injury. Go to a Crossfit "box" and pay the money to learn the core movements. You will meet a great group of people from different walks of life with elite fitness as a common goal.

I found that the level of metabolic and lactic threshold I was able to push myself to as a dedicated crossfitter far exceeded that of conventional running and lifting.

Get a Crossfit buddy and push each other, you will have a blast. I know I was physically prepared for RS and three years later SFAS as a result. Moreover it prepared me for the rigors of life in a combat zone and under stress. I think mental toughness is a muscle that can be trained like any other, by pushing yourself and constant challenge.

My instincts and observations tell me that an officer in SFAS is heavily assessed by his ability to stay calm and think clearly under immense physical pressure and stress.

Good luck, but remember that it is very early to "obsess" over your 3 year goal. For now you must concentrate on being the best leader you can. Get some training that will benefit your subordinates. RS is a great step to take and will make you a better man for having completed it. Above all, your first priority is your mission and your soldiers.