12-15-2005, 23:18
|
#1
|
|
Guerrilla
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Northern California by way of Houston, TX
Posts: 164
|
Joining SF right off the street?
Am I correct in thinking you can try to join SF right off the street? Geez, I was a grunt in the 82nd and i had to hustle just to be a good one. There is so much to learn about the infanty, combat, weapon systems, commo, first aid, patrolling techniques, raids, ambushes-and so on. I cant imagine someone just off the street has developed the mental fortitude to strap on a 125 ilb of ruck-walk 25 miles then be ready to fight or start bulding a guerrilla force when you get there........
Is this really happening?? A mechanic where i work says he has an offer from the Army to join SF...can this be true?
"just a plain old abn grunt..."
|
|
zuluzerosix is offline
|
|
|
12-15-2005, 23:26
|
#2
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,813
|
Zulu, please acquaint yourself with the next to the last button on the upper right of your screen.
That is right, the one marked "SEARCH". :Look up "18X".
You are a little late to the party, the program is already three years old, some teams have several of them, and they succeed at SFAS and the SFQC at a far better rate than any other group. FYI, they aren't just any schmoes off of the street, they have special quals to get in and have to meet the same standards as everyone else in the course.
Furthermore, after having the stones to volunteer, be selected, and complete the course, several of our former 18X students have died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maybe they are just cut from different cloth than you and your mechanic buddy. 
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
|
|
|
12-16-2005, 01:13
|
#3
|
|
Guerrilla
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Northern California by way of Houston, TX
Posts: 164
|
If they are making it..then they obviously are cut from different cloth.
|
|
zuluzerosix is offline
|
|
|
12-16-2005, 07:08
|
#4
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Ohio
Posts: 982
|
Nothing like winning hearts and minds when one enters into a new environment. SA is a good thing, a much neglected art form that should be studied until it is perfected. But alas, sometimes it does not occur like we hope that it will.
We can only hope.
Doc
Dec. 2005
|
|
Doc is offline
|
|
|
12-16-2005, 07:38
|
#5
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 13,080
|
Off the street
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by zuluzerosix
Am I correct in thinking you can try to join SF right off the street? Geez.....
|
SF has had "off the street" enlistments on and off during the past 40 years. The practice varied with the needs of the overall Army force and SF needs.
I was one and spent 20 of 21 years in SF assignments. Each enlistment type, (off the street, late first/second term, long service, prior service {other service}) brings its own plus/minus traits to the table.
Any of those groups can produce a nut-ball or a winner. Each individual will be/is judged on his actions. SFAS was developed to weed out the low end prior to making it to a team. Teams do not have the time to baby sit or grow individuals.
Last edited by Pete; 12-16-2005 at 07:40.
|
|
Pete is offline
|
|
|
12-16-2005, 09:06
|
#6
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,813
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by zuluzerosix
If they are making it..then they obviously are cut from different cloth. |
Z06, you like living on the edge, don't you?
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
|
|
|
12-16-2005, 13:16
|
#7
|
|
Guerrilla
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Northern California by way of Houston, TX
Posts: 164
|
Pete,
What you say makes all the sense in the world. I never looked at it that way. I guess if you are looking for unconventional people to fight unconventional war it really doesnt matter where they come from or how they get there as long as they get there...makes sense. I had thought from my experience that:
To make an attempt to get to SF you had to
1. be E-4 (P) or better
2. second enlistment or window at least
3. PT Test
4. SFAS
5. then maybe you would be invited to join if you could make it-
I hope I have not insulted anybody who may have done it this way-my conventional experience (do it for the Regiment!) thought this was impossible.
mea culpa!
|
|
zuluzerosix is offline
|
|
|
01-26-2006, 20:09
|
#8
|
|
Asset
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BALTIMORE,MD
Posts: 3
|
In some of the 18s' opinions how long do you all think that the 18x program will be around? I want to grab some college before I sign up and it would be a shame if this option was not available when I got done. I know you all are not recruiters, but I am curious as to what you all have to say. Thanks a lot.
|
|
paste is offline
|
|
|
01-26-2006, 20:20
|
#9
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 488
|
IMHO it'll be around awhile.
1. It is successful.
2. The active force alone can't provide the numbers needed.
Abu Jack Out
|
|
Abu Jack is offline
|
|
|
01-26-2006, 20:39
|
#10
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by paste
In some of the 18s' opinions how long do you all think that the 18x program will be around? I want to grab some college before I sign up and it would be a shame if this option was not available when I got done. I know you all are not recruiters, but I am curious as to what you all have to say. Thanks a lot.
|
Go ahead. This war will last a while longer. If it deosn't, let us know and we'll start another one for you.
Pete, where did you do the other year? 
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
|
|
NousDefionsDoc is offline
|
|
|
01-26-2006, 20:45
|
#11
|
|
Asset
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BALTIMORE,MD
Posts: 3
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
Go ahead. This war will last a while longer. If it deosn't, let us know and we'll start another one for you.
|
NousDefionsDoc, Ill take you up on that. Thanks for the reply. 
|
|
paste is offline
|
|
|
01-26-2006, 20:57
|
#12
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3,093
|
[QUOTE=NousDefionsDoc]Go ahead. This war will last a while longer. If it deosn't, let us know and we'll start another one for you.
/QUOTE]
You medics will do anything to generate training aids 
__________________
Wenn einer von uns fallen sollt, der Andere steht für zwei.
|
|
Jack Moroney (RIP) is offline
|
|
|
01-26-2006, 21:10
|
#13
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LA
Posts: 1,653
|
Roger that Sir. Plus it gives us a chance to show off our superlative shooting skills. 
__________________
Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
|
|
NousDefionsDoc is offline
|
|
|
01-26-2006, 21:16
|
#14
|
|
Guerrilla
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Behind Enemy Lines
Posts: 370
|
The Latest News
The Pentagon has recognized the need for special operations forces and is increasing the budget like no other time in history. The standards have not changed just the need for more special warfare warriors.
|
|
Stiletto11 is offline
|
|
|
01-27-2006, 08:31
|
#15
|
|
Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 20,929
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Stiletto11
The Pentagon has recognized the need for special operations forces and is increasing the budget like no other time in history. The standards have not changed just the need for more special warfare warriors. |
Stiletto11,
Are you a Special Forces member? If so please send me you info, if not do not post in the Special Forces forums unless you have a question.
Dispensing advice to others on our behalf will get one banned real quick. So will posting in a verbose manner, commonly referred to as “trolling”. Stay in your lane or take your comments to another board. I will not deal with you a third time.
Team Sergeant
__________________
"The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy, but where they are."
|
|
Team Sergeant 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 10:05.
|
|
|
Linear Mode
