View Full Version : prior service options to SF
Hello Gents,
Knowing that the 18x contract is closed to prior service at the moment has anyone be able to go a different route or know of any other way? Considering their aren't many options for reservists to go active. Has anyone thought about going NGSF and switching to active while in training?
Any advice would be helpful.
Thank you DocIllinois. I've just recently started to look into NGSF as a viable option as it wasn't my first choice or even on my radar for that matter. Now that it being my only option to getting in to SF community I've got a bit of research to do.
Once again thanks for your time.
Or just come back active duty in your prior MOS then drop a selection packet. That's what I did way back when.
The Reaper
03-13-2013, 20:44
How bad do you want it, and how confident are you that you can make it?
TR
There are very few MOS's that the Army is accepting back. Every now and again a MILPER message is released, containing the TPS per occupation, but it may be misleading as even the jobs marked as critically short will probably not retrain.
Your best bet may be to reclass into a hot MOS while still in RC, then drop a conditional release application, then once on AD - drop the selection packet. At least that's my battle plan. From what I've seen lately - conditional release gets signed pretty easily even with a recent positive action like school or promotion.
Pros: you'll get an additional MOS that you may like. I know of at least one that's always looking for victims (but you must be E5+). You'll have enough time to train up on your own, given that SOPC got nixed.
Cons: you may have to move units.
Embience
04-17-2013, 12:19
Your best bet is to call your local recruiter and see where you land. The MILPER Messages aren't always 100% accurate as to what MOS you'll land, changes happen every hour on the hour. My scenario went like this:
1.Wanted 18X called the recruiter she said no problem.
2. Went to MEPS then found out 18X had been closed for the past 3 months(they sent out the message about the closure to recruiters after I got told this lol).
3. He said they had 88M available(Wasn't on the list of MOSes available to PS. At the time the only MOS contract you could sign according to the MILPER Message was 18X and that was if you didn't fit the criteria for any of the listed MOSes.
I took it because it's easier to be in and drop the selection packet than to play Russian roulette as a PS trying to get in on the 18X contract. Guess I made the right choice going and not waiting. :D As for the conditional release I she got it done fairly quickly, I was IRR for the Marine Corps. Be Pro-active it'll pay off in the long wrong and at least know what the current climate is as far as PS, it'll take the load of your recruiter knowing you have no misconceptions as to what your chances are.
Hey Big D, just so you know a new USAREC message came out saying that PS applicants can go 18X so long as you meet the requirements. These things change from time to time, as you've probably noticed. We Recruiters try our best to stay up to date, but it doesn't always work out.
Is the SOPC option still closed to PS?
FoxTrooth
05-23-2013, 16:49
Is the SOPC option still closed to PS?
This Should Help You. (http://bit.ly/10Pvp52). :cool:
or you could just ask your recruiter...
or look up the latest prior service business rules as it changes regularly.
This Should Help You. (http://bit.ly/10Pvp52). :cool:
or you could just ask your recruiter...
or look up the latest prior service business rules as it changes regularly.
Not to mention that it just got answered ;)
All 18X's got to SOPC, in case you weren't tracking, so by the virtue of 18X being open for PS again, so is SOPC.
One thing I'd like to note is that a lot of Recruiters don't understand how 18X works as we are never trained on it. I just know how it works because I had fellow 11B's that I worked with that came out of the 18X program. I had to explain it step by step to the other Recruiters in my area when I got out here because not a single one knew how it went. Of course, many of them also thought there was a ruck march at the end of Airborne and that Air Assault is 3 weeks and involved jumping out of helicopters...
Bottom line: Most Recruiters don't know much about things like this as we are primarily trained regarding regulations for putting people in the Army, not necessarily all of the training. Some do more research on their own, but most don't.
...
In my profession we value latest SME answer above google search. Force of habit. Good tip on the Business Rules though. Thanks.
All 18X's got to SOPC, in case you weren't tracking, so by the virtue of 18X being open for PS again, so is SOPC.
Thanks. Exaclty what I was looking for.
Hey guys,
Sorry I haven't responded in a while. I appreciate all the info given and with the latest change in the ps business rules I will be headed to recruiters office as soon as I get back from this school my unit is sending me to. Once again guys thank you for your time and help.
No problem, man. One thing that I will encourage you to do as soon as possible is to get the 4187 and 368 knocked out. Those can take a long time, and if you wait until later and then push for it, by the time it gets done and you get released 18X might not be open any more. If you get the process started now, when you get done with that school it might be finished and you have that much more of a window.
5thgrp"C"
06-18-2013, 19:45
How bad do you want it, and how confident are you that you can make it?
TR
Perfectly said.
I was prior service Marine, and since I failed my hearing test I couldn't get an Xray contract either. I have never passed a hearing test so he told me Id never be able to make it past the physical. Well I knew I could find my way in somehow so I just told him to get me in the door and I would take care of the rest. I was infantry in the Marines so that was an easy transfer. A year in Iraq with 3 ID later, and I was on my way to selection. Anything is possible it all just comes down to how much your willing to risk to get there. For me a 6 yr enlistment in the regular Army with the possibility to not even get the chance to go to selection was worth the risk to get into SF.
It should just give you the determination to pass selection and the Q course.
aubreyna
08-17-2013, 18:29
I am prior service Marine that conducted two deployments to Iraq. I have been off active duty for 3 1/2 years. Still have 6 month in the IRR. My recruiters are telling me that 18x is the only option for PS. Which is fine, because that is what I want.
I do however have a question, I am being told that I will have to complete all of OSUT. Seems like a waste of time and energy to train me in an MOS I already went to war in twice. I will do it with a smile on my face, but I was just wondering if any PS marine infantry have had to do this and what to expect
FoxTrooth
08-25-2013, 08:05
I am prior service Marine that conducted two deployments to Iraq. I have been off active duty for 3 1/2 years. Still have 6 month in the IRR. My recruiters are telling me that 18x is the only option for PS. Which is fine, because that is what I want.
I do however have a question, I am being told that I will have to complete all of OSUT. Seems like a waste of time and energy to train me in an MOS I already went to war in twice. I will do it with a smile on my face, but I was just wondering if any PS marine infantry have had to do this and what to expect
If you were infantry you should go straight to Airborne after processing through 30th AG. Upon graduating Airborne school you will move over to SFPC Hold. A prior service Marine infantry processed in when I came through with the same story and that's what happened to him.
I was an Airborne qualified infantryman upon my reenlistment still on IRR time and after processing through 30th AG I went straight to SFPC hold.
On another note for prior service infantry:
If you fail to have a 240 PT score prior to shipping they will make you go through OSUT as well to give you time to train and physically develop yourself. A few guys shammed on the PT test with the recruiter before they left and instead of skipping OSUT they were told they could go needs of the Army or do OSUT from day one. ALWAYS max your PT test.
Also if you still have IRR time from your original contract you do not have a break in service. Break in service starts the day an individual no longer holds a contract with the Army. Three years break in service merits completion of basic again.
Hope this helps.
blue02hd
08-25-2013, 11:09
Gentlemen,
This has been repeated so many times in the Pipeline it is embarrassing, for you.
Unless you are Special Forces Qualified you should not be providing advice to those seeking answers about the pipeline.
If you are NOT Special Forces Qualified and seeking advice in the Pipeline you should disregard posts from anyone who has not successfully completed the pipeline and graduated.
The reason is very simple: This forum is not an open website where all guests are equal. Those without the QP by their name are not vetted, therefore their information is not vetted. In other words they have no fucking clue.
Aubreyna, your line of questioning has been answered in another thread. Was this information not to your satisfaction? Your persistence says something about you. No amount of trolling the internet will change the following: You need to get to Benning, join the ranks the DI's direct you to, and soldier your ass off until you cross the stage with a Long Tab.
Or don't. Your call. Like TR asked "How bad do you want it?" No need to respond.
To all the non qualified guests sharing their opinion here, I would ask that you understand your opinions hold little weight. As guests in this house I would ask you to follow the rules set forth by the Moderators and Administrators. These rules insure that the information shared in this house is accurate and up to date.
That SEARCH button is a magical tool.
blue02hd
08-25-2013, 22:37
Gentlemen,
Unless you are Special Forces Qualified you should not be providing advice to those seeking answers about the pipeline.
If you are NOT Special Forces Qualified and seeking advice in the Pipeline you should disregard posts from anyone who has not successfully completed the pipeline and graduated.
Gentlemen, I must make a correction to my earlier post. I have been mistaken, and seemingly so for quite some time. No excuses, but I will correct myself right now.
There is No rule restricting guests from posting here in the Pipeline. I appreciate TR's polite message bringing me up to speed. In fact, guests with proper placement and knowledge are strongly encouraged to participate. From my grid square, this may actually make the Pipeline more interesting.
Aubreyna, my comments for you still stand.
Neophyte
08-28-2013, 10:19
I'd just like to second Foxtooth on the prior service infantry deal. If you manage to get an 18x slot, you should not have to go to OSUT since you are infantry qualified. That being said, make sure your PT and rucking is up to snuff, the current packet (public info) can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.289445044408301.77835.124596000893207&type=3
If your recruiter tells you that you have to go back to OSUT, he might not know about the exception, you simply need to push for it. I know a non-infantry prior service reservist Marine who somehow managed to get a week-9 start time in his contract. (He's in the Q right now)
That has the current (bare minimum) standards for rucks and runs, as well as the current packing list, it is more up to date than the march '09 list that will show up if you use Google. You get that packing list when you get to holdover but it's nice to have this to reference back to.
I've been at SWCS holdover for quite a while (failed selection once, 19 days) and have been here all summer. Some of these guys don't bother to workout extra during airborne school and have it a little rough when they get here.
Like TR says, make sure you really want it, I just had one prior service Marine buddy who VWed today rather than go back to selection, I'm headed out again soon.
greyshade
09-07-2013, 01:37
I am prior service Marine that conducted two deployments to Iraq. I have been off active duty for 3 1/2 years. Still have 6 month in the IRR. My recruiters are telling me that 18x is the only option for PS. Which is fine, because that is what I want.
I do however have a question, I am being told that I will have to complete all of OSUT. Seems like a waste of time and energy to train me in an MOS I already went to war in twice. I will do it with a smile on my face, but I was just wondering if any PS marine infantry have had to do this and what to expect
When I went through you really did not learn your fate until you showed up at 30th AG, Ft Benning Reception. There was a tabbed scrolled Ranger medic who had to complete 4 weeks of Infantry basic. I was prior service, non Infantry and I did the last 6 weeks of OSUT.
It is what it is man. Don't get too wrapped around it. Be humble and if you get stuck doing it all over again use your experience to mentor the Pvt's. You'll probably be around other X-Rays that will end up going to SOPC, SFAS and if you're fortunate, the rest of the Q with. Your reputation starts the minute you get off the bus.
LifetimeStudent
01-10-2018, 14:37
Deleted