Question about 18x

fng13 · 06-11-2009, 11:11

Sirs,

Do you foresee the 18x contract option ending anytime within the next few years? I have not been successful in finding an answer to this anywhere on the forum. If this is just a failure of my search-fu please tell me the proper query. I am concerned of this because while I will be graduating soon with my BS in Business and a minor in philosophy I think I would like to get my masters before signing my 18x. I also hope to gain the valuable maturity and experiences that are so highly spoken of throughout this forum before enlisting, so that I don't "waste the Army's time and money," . I am asking this question because I know that the 18x option was not always around, and I don't want to miss my chance by continuing my education.

Thanks,
fng13

**Pete** · 06-11-2009, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by fng13

...Do you foresee the 18x contract option ending anytime within the next few years? .......

It's the Army. It could end at any time, and then again, it might not.

The SF enlistment option, called many things over the years since the 1960s, has come and gone many times. All based on the needs of the force.

Same thing with an SF Bonus.

Plan your life and then roll the dice.

Scimitar · 06-11-2009, 13:34

Just to add some information in the mix...

USASFC has a current force growth mission that will likely be achieved by 2013/14. From the numbers I've seen it is unlikely that this can be achieved without the 18X program.

They are just starting to see the first 5 year 18X contracts come up for re-up and apparently the resign rate is very high, which I've been told was one of the programs major KPIs.

I imagine you're looking at a Mid 2012 MBA Graduation?

Here's an idea, enlist with the ARNG, get selected (try), do the Q course, you can complete your Masters while in the guard....you'll need to make sure thats possible though, my understanding is that it can be done, but I wouldn't take my word for it.

HTH

Scimitar

**The Reaper** · 06-11-2009, 18:33

Why do you need a Masters degree to be an SF soldier?

TR

noefexus · 06-11-2009, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by fng13

Sirs,

Do you foresee the 18x contract option ending anytime within the next few years? I have not been successful in finding an answer to this anywhere on the forum. If this is just a failure of my search-fu please tell me the proper query. I am concerned of this because while I will be graduating soon with my BS in Business and a minor in philosophy I think I would like to get my masters before signing my 18x. I also hope to gain the valuable maturity and experiences that are so highly spoken of throughout this forum before enlisting, so that I don't "waste the Army's time and money," . I am asking this question because I know that the 18x option was not always around, and I don't want to miss my chance by continuing my education.

Thanks,
fng13

FWIW, I waited too long to join, I'm kicking myself in the ass because I didn't see the light sooner. Higher education will corrupt your mind. Think I'm crazy? Well maybe so. Join Now.

Once you get into the Grad School society you'll change as a person. You'll begin to not only think that you know everything, but truly believe it. That education will get you absolutely nowhere when faced with a life or death situation.

I trodded through 5 miserable years of civilian employment after I graduated college. I realized that this bullshit 9-5, wife and kids, ain't the way I wanna live. I want to push myself beyond all of my self-created limits. I want to know what it feels like to face death. I want to destroy myself--all of my "known" self--and recreate a new person out of the ashes...Only out of self-destruction will you truly evolve and become who you are meant to be.

Only when I give up everything and reach down into my core do I feel truly alive. This is why I joined.

pjg45 · 06-12-2009, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by noefexus

I trodded through 5 miserable years of civilian employment after I graduated college. I realized that this bullshit 9-5, wife and kids, ain't the way I wanna live. I want to push myself beyond all of my self-created limits. I want to know what it feels like to face death. I want to destroy myself--all of my "known" self--and recreate a new person out of the ashes...Only out of self-destruction will you truly evolve and become who you are meant to be.

Only when I give up everything and reach down into my core do I feel truly alive. This is why I joined.

I did 3.5 years of civilian employment (started when I was 18) including a stint in Washington, D.C. One day I woke up and decided that isn't the the life I wanted anymore, walked in to the local recruiting station and signed up. Before I did that, everything in my life was all screwed up and out of order. Fast forward 3 months to the present and everything is falling back into place. As a 1SG told me when I wasn't sure about signing up or not, either shit or get off the pot.

I work out at the rec center locally because they let military personnel in for free and every morning 2 other soldiers and I always hear stories from guys telling us they "almost" joined and if they go back they would do it in a heartbeat and then we always hear the regrets.

I guess what I am trying to say, and my opinion on this subject doesn't matter, is that it is better to do it now and not like it than to have never done it and always have the "What if?" in the back of your mind.

Plus there is all kinds of older people in college, and from my college experience, it was a lot of wasted time and money. I learned more in Washington, D.C. in 3 months than I did in 2 years of Economics classes. If you are thinking about doing it, get up, do some PT and do it.

Going back under my ruck
pjg45

Utah Bob · 06-12-2009, 12:28

Grad school's not gonna help ya. Get off the fence and cowboy up.
"He who hesitates is lost".

ZonieDiver · 06-12-2009, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

Grad school's not gonna help ya. Get off the fence and cowboy up.
"He who hesitates is lost".

Ditto!

20 years from now in your life, it will not matter to you if you got your master's degree or not. What will keep you awake at night is IF, when your country needed you, you answered the call or not - SF or track mechanic - did you come when your country needed you?

fng13 · 06-12-2009, 22:36

The Reaper.

I did not mean to imply that I had to have the masters degree to go sf. I was wondering if there was a real chance of them closing the 18x program by the time I finished school. As for the rest of the replies I appreciate the advice, however, I think higher education has significant value and I do not believe it will "change me as a person," (at least not negatively) I am not so easily swayed by the values of others that the atmosphere will change me. I just would like to finish my education before joining. I am not trying to use this as a crutch or excuse not to join I am going to join when I get out of school. From what I have read on the threads maturity and experiences are a revered quality of SOF recruits. I am only 21 now, and would only be 23 or 24 by the time i finish my masters program. I am hoping that extra time for pt and greater maturity will help me to succeed. However if this is not recommended by actual QP's I will heed their advice and consider not entering a graduate program.

with great respect
fng13

f50lrrp · 06-12-2009, 23:11

I was 19 years old when I joined the Army and 21 when I got into SF. I didn't return to college until I was 26 years old. The point that I'm trying to make is college will always be there for you. A chance at SF won't always be available.

If you try the Army now, you'll have the GI Bill to help you make ends meet.

I managed to get my AS Degree, BA Degree, a MPA Degree and a MS Degree after the service. I am glad that I didn't wait until I had my education completed prior to the service.

06-13-2009, 06:39

I've never known anyone who regrets having earned a graduate degree, I do however know many people who regret not having one. SF will be there when you're finished and in all likelihood so will 18x. As an 18x there no guarantees that you will earn your green beanie, that you will want to stay in Army after your initial contract, or that you will remain physically able to remain SF or the Army, so having a masters degree in your back pocket will be an asset. If you chose to make the Army your first career, having a graduate degree may not help your career, but it certainly will not hinder it. Good luck.

FOG

Utah Bob · 06-13-2009, 07:51

What is your motivation to join SF? That's very important.

fng13 · 06-13-2009, 08:58

I would once again like to say thanks to everyone who is posting the replies trying to help me on my way.

WCH that was my thought process the whole time. That I would just have my education done which will help me keep my options open in the future.

UTAH- My motivation for wanting to be sf.
I Want to serve my country while at the same time do something that very few people ever get to do. Specifically SF because I like the autonomy that is given to the units to get the job done that is not given to conventional units. It seems to be a place where I can use my mind as well as my body to serve. I also like the idea of getting a chance to help indiginous peoples from around the world have a better life, while at the same time taking the fight to the enemy. I have always wanted to join the army and as I got older SF has totally taken over army ambition. I am a moral person with a strong sense of integrity, those seem to be core values from what i have learned from reading about SF. Also, there are less "glorious" reasons motivating me to join sf. I am from a small town where I grew up Hunting, Fishing, Camping etc. SF seems to be a place where I can really apply those experiences. I really like shooting, all types of weapons, and have been fascinated with guns since I was a kid. Plus, where else am I going to get a chance to Sky Dive, Scuba, Rock Climb, Blow things up, Various forms of Extraction, Shoot all kinds of automatic weapons, learn advanced survival and orienteering, H2H, travel, and most importantly make a difference in the world and specifically a difference for the U.S. I have always wanted to be the best in everything I do, I want to join the army so I want to join SF.

On a side note, once again, I am NOT trying to talk myself out of joining or anything of that nature. I have committed myself to doing this and I work everyday to try and meet that goal. Currently though, my runs are not good enough in my opinion that I would be able to be successful at SFAS. I am actively working on this. That is a benefit of remaining in school for an extra year and a half after i graduate next april to help me further prepare. I will not set myself up to fail. I will only go when I have optimized my chances for success. If I only get one shot I am not simply going to rush in and hope I can do it. I am going to KNOW i can do it before my feet ever touch the ground in Georgia for basic. Please let me say one more thing because I know i will get replies condemning me saying that if I wait till I am absolutly ready that I will never go. This is not the case for me, I work out enough to know my body and know my limits. I know what i need to do to give myself a good chance at being successful. That is all im saying, I am not trying to back out or anything like that so please understand this.

**Pete** · 06-13-2009, 09:05

Make your plan and roll the dice.

Whatever you make of your life will be based on the choices you make.

Good or bad, they all lead down different forks in the path of your life.

Some steps and trails can not be retraced, others can.

blue02hd · 06-13-2009, 13:27

fng (nice nickname btw)

It seems to me you are trying to juggle apples and oranges. You have remarked on the desire to acquire additional maturity and time to physically train while you pursue a Masters. You have conveyed that you believe that will better prepare you for an attempt at SFAS and eventually the teams. From my experiences this could not be further from the truth.

Get your education, it will set you up for success after the service. Do not expect to gain maturity or wisdom from your additional degree, as that can only be gained with experience and time on the job. The best SF soldiers I have worked with were outstanding soldiers prior to joining the teams, not because of any civilian diploma. Their experience and maturity began when they were privates and continued on from there.

I have worked with and have met many a Masters Grad that I wouldn't let watch my son while I went to the store 10 minutes away let alone watch my back downrange. Education does not guarantee you common sense.
One QP has suggested that SFAS will always be there, well the opposite is also true. Your Masters will always be there as well, and the Army does have programs that will financially assist you in reaching that goal. You can really go either way. Just depends on what is more important to you.

If and when you join the Army you will be leaving the civilian culture and entering into the military culture which you do not understand yet. You could be a Rhodes Scholar or waiving a fresh GED and it won't matter the first time a Drill Sgt singles you out.

You must figure out what is most important to you and then follow your heart, tuck your chin, and go get it.

I wish you luck on your Masters. Just remember, not all post grads make it to their Masters Ceremony.

I wish you luck if SFAS. Statistically, the odds are definitely against you there.

All My Best