02-06-2011, 00:10
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#1
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Asset
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 2
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FA or Infantry officer?
I am currently an ROTC cadet about to go to LDAC this summer and will soon have to make the critical decision of branching. I am stuck between Field Artillery and Infantry. I was curious to see if anyone had any insight as to which would better transition to SF. I would assume Infantry would, but we all know what happens when you assume.
__________________
If you leave here with the word DUTY implanted in your mind; if you leave here with the word HONOR carved in your soul; if you leave here with love of COUNTRY stamped on your heart, then you will be a twenty-first century leader worthy of the great privilege and honor of leading the sons and daughters of America.
-General H Norman Schwarzkopf
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.
-General H Norman Schwarzkopf
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Aloring001 is offline
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02-06-2011, 06:25
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#2
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Potomac River
Posts: 925
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Jack Maroney and I had a conversation about this and while I did not agree with him, I did not continue to discuss my opinion being as he was far more knowledgeable about the subject than I.
You can go and search about three year or four years back.
__________________
The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.
SFA M-9545
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Buffalobob is offline
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02-06-2011, 06:40
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#3
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Quiet Professional (RIP)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Carriere,Ms.
Posts: 6,922
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Jack Maroney and I had a conversation about this and while I did not agree with him, I did not continue to discuss my opinion being as he was far more knowledgeable about the subject than I./quote/Buffalobob
No one I know had more moxie when it came to most military questions than Jack Maroney,he even forgot more about hockey than I'll ever know,that was for sure....He was one hell of a guy.......  
Big Teddy 
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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
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greenberetTFS is offline
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02-06-2011, 06:40
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#4
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RIP Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: The Ozarks
Posts: 10,072
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aloring001
I am currently an ROTC cadet about to go to LDAC this summer and will soon have to make the critical decision of branching. I am stuck between Field Artillery and Infantry. I was curious to see if anyone had any insight as to which would better transition to SF. I would assume Infantry would, but we all know what happens when you assume.
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I recommend wearing out the 'search' function on this forum before I even asked a single question.
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"There you go, again." Ronald Reagan
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Dusty is offline
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02-06-2011, 09:40
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#5
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,780
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This is why we need to stop new members from starting threads for a while.
Maybe someone will learn how to use the Search button or do some reading while they are waiting.
TR
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"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
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The Reaper is offline
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02-06-2011, 21:58
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#6
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Asset
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 2
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Apologies
I did use the search, but to little avail. A lot of what I found was not what I was looking for. I did come across Jack Moroney's "Building an 18A" thread and found it helpful, but unable to fully answer my question. I thought posting a thread would give me some solid feedback from those who know and have experience. I apologize if I did inconvience you. I will search longer and harder before asking a question.
__________________
If you leave here with the word DUTY implanted in your mind; if you leave here with the word HONOR carved in your soul; if you leave here with love of COUNTRY stamped on your heart, then you will be a twenty-first century leader worthy of the great privilege and honor of leading the sons and daughters of America.
-General H Norman Schwarzkopf
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.
-General H Norman Schwarzkopf
Last edited by Aloring001; 02-06-2011 at 22:00.
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Aloring001 is offline
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02-06-2011, 22:42
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#7
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BANNED USER
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aloring001
I am currently an ROTC cadet <at SIUE> . . . decision of branching. I am stuck . . .
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Ask Major C to put you in touch with one of the SF soldiers he know. This particular guy will be happy to drink on your tab and tell stories. He happens to like the Stagger Inn very much (second choice is Laurie's).
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Dozer523 is offline
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02-06-2011, 22:46
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#8
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Asset
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 2
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Small World
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dozer523
Ask Major C to put you in touch with one of the SF soldiers he know. This particular guy will be happy to drink on your tab and tell stories. He happens to like the Stagger Inn very much (second choice is Laurie's).
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Oddly enough, MAJ C was the one who first put the idea of SF in my head. Before I had always thought of it as an unattainable thing, but he talked to me about it and is always willing to help and made it seem more realistic and appealing. I will deffinitely talk to him more when he gets back from CLS next week.
Thanks
__________________
If you leave here with the word DUTY implanted in your mind; if you leave here with the word HONOR carved in your soul; if you leave here with love of COUNTRY stamped on your heart, then you will be a twenty-first century leader worthy of the great privilege and honor of leading the sons and daughters of America.
-General H Norman Schwarzkopf
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.
-General H Norman Schwarzkopf
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Aloring001 is offline
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02-06-2011, 23:00
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#9
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NorCal
Posts: 15,370
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I saw officers come to SF from nearly all combat arms branches - individual ability, a positive attitude, common sense, and trainability were important qualifiers for overcoming most entry level shortcomings.
IMO - your basic branch should be the one in which you have the greatest aptitude and personal desire to serve as it will provide you the greatest chance to succeed and, if you find the SF option is out of reach, a branch in which you can offer the most for the overall good of the service.
Remember, you're considering entering a higher level of personal commitment and selflessness - your choice - just be honest with yourself and your country.
Richard
__________________
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)… There are just some kind of men who – who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” - To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch)
“Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.” - Robert Heinlein
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Richard is offline
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02-06-2011, 23:38
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#10
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Asset
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 2
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Read and Heed
I reread the Stickys again and want to make known that I am not planning on being an 18A. I want to be an officer to lead soldiers, not look cool or impress people. SF is not my career "plan" but more of an interest and something I thought I would explore sooner rather than later. Positive and helpful feedback is appreciated and I will continue to read through posts and only ask questions when I cannot find the answers in previous threads.
Thanks to those who help.
Richard - Thanks for the heads up. I do plan to go into the branch I feel I would be happiest and most successful (success measure by the quality of my work, not the speed of promotion).
__________________
If you leave here with the word DUTY implanted in your mind; if you leave here with the word HONOR carved in your soul; if you leave here with love of COUNTRY stamped on your heart, then you will be a twenty-first century leader worthy of the great privilege and honor of leading the sons and daughters of America.
-General H Norman Schwarzkopf
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.
-General H Norman Schwarzkopf
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Aloring001 is offline
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02-06-2011, 23:47
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#11
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,222
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Leading is leading wherever you choose to do it.
Anyone on this site with an SF Tab will tell you Infantry is the way to go...there are only so many ways you can cock a cannon.
If you want a continual challange with the variables constantly changing then go Infantry.
I also suggest you check the asfab scores for the enlisted folks in both CMF's...might give you a clue as to your audience.
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PRB is offline
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02-14-2011, 09:14
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#12
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: 11 miles from Dove Creek, Colorady
Posts: 3,924
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I like blue.
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"...But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive."
Shakespeare - Henry V
Lazy Bob Ranch
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Utah Bob is offline
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02-14-2011, 12:41
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#13
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 154
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper
This is why we need to stop new members from starting threads for a while.
Maybe someone will learn how to use the Search button or do some reading while they are waiting.
TR
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Sir,
Maybe we could create a specific thread for SF related questions so it can at least be isolated? Maybe block it from the "new posts" search feature so it doesn't clog up the board. Maybe I just had a visit from the good idea fairy.
Sgt Fonzy
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Fonzy is offline
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02-14-2011, 12:51
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#14
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BANNED USER
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Monterey California
Posts: 392
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Colonel Arthur "Bull" Simons was originally commissioned in the Field Artillary. It didn't hurt his career much!
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f50lrrp is offline
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02-14-2011, 14:19
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#15
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NorCal
Posts: 15,370
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Quote:
Sir,
Maybe we could create a specific thread for SF related questions so it can at least be isolated? Maybe block it from the "new posts" search feature so it doesn't clog up the board. Maybe I just had a visit from the good idea fairy.
Sgt Fonzy
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Maybe it should've been the reading comprehension fairy or the think about what you're doing before posting fairy! 
And what did you think this forum was?
Special Forces Questions
Ask your questions about Special Forces here. OPSEC Violaters will be hanged!
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...splay.php?f=95
And so it goes...
Richard
__________________
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)… There are just some kind of men who – who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” - To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch)
“Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.” - Robert Heinlein
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Richard is offline
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