Hello
 

Hello,
I have wanted to join the military since I was 15 years of age, but have been persuaded by friends and family to do otherwise. I have always had a feeling of service to the “oppressed” and a unusual amount of patriotism. However, my family and social network expected at least one college degree from me, and for me to grow up to be a reputable young professional. I went to college and got my bachelors, and was talked into the horror that is law school. I am currently surrounded my people whose only motivation is material wealth and seeing their name on the letterhead.

I have always felt that with time I would fit in with everybody else and chase the “white bread” American Dream. It has not happened, and I have had an immense feeling to do something in life with substance, and a career that I can truly be proud of. I have decided that best way for me to this, to help the oppressed, and forward American policy is SF.

I can speak and read Spanish at a fairly high level, and hope to be at a 3/3 by the end of the year. I plan on starting Arabic at the end of the summer, and want to have a fair grasp of it before I finish law school. I am a very active athlete and have just discovered the joy that is rucking. I have read everything from Sun Tzu to the Ranger Handbook and found it all fascinating. I have every intention of being as prepared both physically and mentally as I can be, for the challenges that lay ahead. My current plan is to finish law school, pass the bar, and then enlist as an 18x. I hope I have what it takes to one day serve with the best and the brightest.
Sorry for the long introduction, but it will be my only post before I go back to being the gray man. Thank you to everyone who serves this great country.

Greetings from Malaysia
 

Hello everyone. My name is Nicholas Gomez. I'm 31 and am from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I am not in, and never was in the military but have always had a strong interest in military equipment, knives, firearms, etc. In high school I was a Police Cadet (most schools here have either Police, Army or Navy Cadet platoons - my school, Aminuddin Baki had Police). I joined because the uniforms & shoes were free. For Red Crescent/Boy Scouts you had to buy everything. After concentrating on automobiles/motorcycles for the past 10 years or so, the recent events around the world and the purchase of three military/survival knives and movies like Black Hawk Down have rekindled my interest in militaria. I hope to learn a lot about what's going on around the world through this forum, which looks like it is one of the better ones on the net. My sincere apologies if I go against protocol or make mistakes. :confused: Thanks for the opportunity to join. Regards, Nick

My name is Alex and I was a Firefighter in the AF for 6yrs until I was medically retired for a shoulder surgery. I have been overseas doing contract work for the past 3 years. I am looking into going back in to the military if possible. I have a couple coworkers who are ex group guys and have picking their brains about SF. I am here to find as much information out about SF as I can. Thanks for allowing me to be a member of this forum.

To Buckeye 07.......you can't do much about family, social network is something of your choosing.....you have to go with your heart, it is the only thing that will NEVER steer you wrong.......

don't misunderstand me, being a lawyer can be a fulfilling career, I know I have helped fulfill a few lawyers careers........

Hello there,

I am graduating with my B.S. degree in May and enlisting as an 18x. (Heading to MEPS within the hour actually.) Thank you for this site and all the great knowledge I have found already searching.

Hello,

I am already enlisted in the Army. I am a 68A (Medical Maintenance), and enjoy the hands on technical side of the job. I am currently at FSH, TX in a MED LOG CO. I have been in this unit for two years without deploying.

My age is 22. I am starting on my A.A.S. once that is finished (around a year) I am going to SFAS. I will get selected! I joined the Army simply because I wanted to. My neighbor who is a retired QP from the Vietnam era, told me story's that inspired me. My Dad provide the reasoning with signing up for the job I have.

Greetings
 

Hello, I am 24 years old with a BS. I have gone though quite a bit of ROTC while in college but I did not commission as an officer. This does not mean that I have given up, rather that I will be seeking to further my experiences before I reshoot my azimuth in that direction. For now, I will do my best to find the answers to my questions before I further clutter your boards, but alas I am only human.

V/R

Jon

Introduction
 

Hello, my name is Kyle and Im an A1C in the USAF. I am currently in the Security Forces career field. I am deployed right now, but when I get back I will be going into the Army under the Blue to Green program. Im here to learn as much as I can about becoming an Army Ranger.

Welcome
You do know that this is a Army Special Forces Site not a Ranger Site?
Many here were Rangers and many are Ranger qualified.

Yes, I do know that, but I understand that most of the QP's on here know about Rangers. I just wanted to read through every forum I could and learn as much as I could about people who not only are Rangers, but work with them as well. I didnt mean to seem like I didnt know what I was doing. Im just here to learn.

armyrangers.com or socnet.com

TR

Again Welcome

We are open to all unless they do not follow the rules. Enjoy

Hello everyone,

I recently enlisted in the 18x program (I ship to Benning the 13th of August) and while perusing the AKO forums somebody mentioned this forum and I just have to say thank you to all of you QPs who have provided such a wealth of information for all the could-bes coming down the pipe. Any question or topic that I've looked into I've found so many wonderful posts about. I also ordered the Get Selected book after reading all the great reviews, and am looking forward to the knowledge it is going to give me for selection. So again, thank you all SO MUCH for the help and extra confidence you've already given me in a short 72 hours. :) Been rucking, running, and training my butt off physically for the past few weeks (also using the 5-week program) and with all that plus the information here and in the book, I don't think I have much worry about not making it through SFAS. :lifter

Welcome.

Bonus points for a good positive attitude, but you might want to make it through SFAS before assuming too much.

There is a big reality check at the end of the bus ride to Camp MacKall.

Most of the class fails, and few set out with that intent.

There are a lot of ways to leave CMK, some you can prepare for, and some you cannot.

Best of luck.

TR

Indeed. My apologies for coming off as sounding overly confident, which was not my intent. :o Just wanted to show that I feel I have received some very good advice here that will certainly aid me and is very capable of getting me through SFAS, IF I am the right kind of person it takes to be selected and can stand up to the test. Guess I could have worded myself a little differently. :) Thank you for the welcome and I look forward to reading more on the boards here.

Intro
 

Hello all,

A friend suggested I look at this site. Good call, great site.

Class 6-82, SF Baby, started in 7th GP on Billy's plantation. After that, 11th and 12th, then IMA in SWCS. Last assignment was Commo Committee. Left the Army last year.

Looking forward to staying in touch....

R8J

Focus & Never Quit..
 

When you get to CMK and your running by the train, don't wonder how it got there, focus on the task at hand and press on with all you have...Good Luck. tom kelly

Intro
 

Gentlemen,
By way of introduction, I am a former Trooper, final rank O-3, with the 1/504th INF 82nd ABN serving from 70-76 (active and Reserve) One tour in the Nam with the 1/503/173ABN. Wounds received and subsequent medical review board ended my career and any aspirations for SF that I had. Well, such are the fortunes of life.

As my handle implies, I now drive jets for a living and have flown something, somewhere, for someone almost 30 years now. I feel privileged to be here. Thank you, sirs, for opening your team house door to those outside the realm of the Quiet Professional.

Loyalty above all else, except honor.

Welcome aboard. My uncle was in the 173d over there also, I remember seeing pics of a firebase Elan and Mattie, do you recall any of those?? I don't know what years he was there though.

take care.

2old2play.......I think we were in the same Q-class.....was G. Fontana your 1SG? I've injured my head so many times since then.....I'm surprised I'm remembering any of this!

Mac

IIRC Fontana (Fonzi) left SWC around Feb 83 and was replaced by a former Marine; however, don't remember his name.

Hawk Eye Introduction
 

Just here mostly reading about information about the SF and any information that can help in my training for SFAS. Just a commo guy, SSG, been in the military almost 7 years, and new to Fort Bragg. I intend to do more research here than anything else. Thanks.

Hawk

Ahhhh...those famous last words yet again. Do they never learn? ;)

Richard :munchin

6-82
 

MAC117,

Are you talking about our 1SG in 3rd SF Company? Your memory must be incredible. If it was actually him, I remember a talk he gave on not personally caring how we wore our hair etc., because the Isreali's didn't care and they were pretty good. He said it didn't matter because the Army said we had to get haircuts and shave. Good lesson. Were you there? He gave us Phase I dates and then asked who wanted to quit. Several hands.....

Also, if you were in my class you'll remember the Pre-Phase "gross-out" contest idiots.

Finally, I believe that glebo was in the same class.

Why yes I was! Remember the reserve/guard guy that got caught catching piss from a guy peeing off the fire escape?? I think they canned him IIRC. Along with some....not so other unmentionable stuff that went on!

Yes Fontana was the ISG then, along with Bo Gritz's kid who was in a leg cast I think. I think that was around pre-phase time, the commo guys spent their time in the code zone then.

Glebo & 2OLD2PLAY.....yep, 3rd Company. Yeah, Fontana was a trip.....had a stare that would stop you dead in your tracks, but I like the guy just the same! I remember Gritz's son also. All of these memories are starting to come back to me....I think I can fire my therapist!

Mac

Intro
 

Boomer-61, Former medic. Currently I deploy with Operation Mobilization on medical missions. Looking for information on such matters.

Introduction
 

I tried to reply to TR's response and correction. I must have not done something right because it obviously didn't post. I guess I'm not as computer literate as I thought. Here it is again, by way of introduction, this is Johnny R. Gomez, MSG (Retired). I retired in 1993 from B/2/7 (91-93) on B-750. I spent the remainder of my team time in 7th SFG in B/3/7 (74-76) on A-8, A/3/7 (80-85) on A-772, HHC 7th SFG working in the S-3 Shop. I graduated from SFTG in 1968. Blitzz was a classmate until he got his leg messed up playing full contact football (NO Pads!). I went to A Co 6th SFG after I graduated. I was pretty much a dead head, because the company SGM said that if he could keep me in the field it would make everybody pretty happy. My first team sergeant was SFC "Pappy" Hoskins. Other members of the team included Joe Murray and Greg McGuire. After A Co, I went to Co B 10th SFG (70-73) on A-16. The team sergeant was David Smith, and other team characters were Danny Fowler, Joe Hannon, Sherman Jordan, Michael Moore, Bill Remine. I was also in B/2/10 (78-80) on A-225. I was team sergeant (as a brand new E-7) for A-222 for a little while (1979) until they found an MSG to take the team, then I went back to A-225. I was the B-team operations sergeant for for B/2/7.
I hope that this is an adequate introduction. Mgrayfox sends!

Intro
 

My name is SPC Neil XXXXXX. I am currently an 11B in the Kansas Army National Guard and am talking to 5/19th SFG to transfer out to Colorado and hopefully get a SFAS slot. I have learned so much in the past few days that I've been reading this and I thank you for this great site.


No need for last names on the net.

Crip

You must have been the team sgt on 222 before I got there, but I do remember you on 225. You had O.D. Hacker as team daddy and a great collection of troops. Garner, Lynch, Conway, Miller, Martin, Murray, McTique, Hudson, Dobyns.

Welcome aboard.

Thanks for a Great Web-Site
 

I am new to your site. I live in the Peoples Republic of Austin TX! I have learned a lot the past few days. I am very interested in joing SF on a Rep 63. I guess..I am a little late to the fight but better late than never.
My Uncle was drafted into Vietnam and my dad and 2 of his brothers stayed out becuase of college. So I looked deeper into my family and found out that both my grandfathers didnt serve in WWII either. While others lied about there age to join my family sat on the sidelines!
So I have decided to possibly giving it shot! I just bought "Get Selected", "Chosen Soldier" and "To be a Green Beret".
My goal is to finally have someone from my family fight for what some many others have died for in the past.


I wanted to thank you all for your service!!

intro
 

greeting all~ i came into SF in 92 and went straight to 1-10. I remained a 10th grouper until retirement a couple years ago. Also did two tours in SWCS at SFUWO. 18C/F

Looks a great a site and i hope to get reconnected with friends from the past.

Currently living/working in the Springs.

KW9598 :)

Introduction
 

Hello,

I'm currently a PFC in the West Virginia Army National Guard. I enlisted under a "split option" rep-63 contract when I was 17. I completed phase I of infantry OSUT at Benning summer of 2007. I leave for phase II of infantry OSUT, Airborne, and SFAS on 6 Aug. I will not be posting, only reading to expand my knowledge, and prepare my mind and body for the trials ahead.

-Tmac

Intro
 

Hi, I am a Canadian reservist here to learn about the way of the quiet professionals. I am a rifleman with the Queen's Own Rifle of Canada. I am hoping to go onto a Afghanistan rotation in the near future. Right now I am just training hard and hope it will be beneficial to task and mission I will be assigned to in the future.

permission to come aboard?
 

thank you for letting my come aboard. i just wanted a place to go and see were the people are real, who know whats it like to sit in a dark room cause we don't know why it makes us feel safe. to know you have my back and i have yours. until the last one comes home. to the ? that never was asked and thank you for that to be the coffin your friend lays in cause you had to fill his spot, i rise my glass in everyone of the in any force thats left home to do his best, i drink it cause i can cause they gave. amen and god speed. thanks again.

My Introduction
 

Hello, my name is Nathan, and I am from Texas. I would first like to say that I am honored to be a member of this extremely informative website. I am currently a High School graduate with a strong desire of becoming a part of Special Forces. Even though my knee is currently injured, I continue to do as much PT that doesn't require the use of my knee. Once the doctor gives me the OK, I will start using my ruck sack again. When I am ready I will join the Army with the 18x contract. I hope this introduction will help give this website's members a better understanding of who I am. I intend to post more when the desire arises. Until then I will continue to keep my mouth shut and just listen/read. If I say anything unintelligent, please feel free to call me on it. I will finish by saying thanks for having me and have a great day.

Hi everyone ..I am just a girl married to the Military I guess you could say :D

Thanks for letting me join .

SSG Bobby, joined the Army 2003 as 11B, served in 3-7 INF OIFIII, then came to SWC and currently in SFMS.

Hello everyone,
I am working as a lifeguard this summer and will be a senior in high school next year. I am planning on going to college for four years and enlisting after that. Thanks for providing me and people like me with this great resource.
-Billy

Missed Opportunity
 

My name is Michael Leigh and I am a prior service combat engineer. I am currently 33, and living in Austin, TX. Prior to going on active duty as a combat engineer I was a part of the 19th Special Forces group and was a party of their pre-sfas team for about a year while attending college at Fairmont State, WV. I did attend their Pre-SFAS program in 1993, so if you were Camp Williams, Utah for the A.T. at this time I was one of the guys getting smoked and doing the Fred Sanford shuffle. As fate would have it my father got my grades (girls and booze took precedence over books and teachers at 19) about the time I was finishing the Sand Babies and I was officially cut off financially. At the recommendation of my teammates I went active duty. Life quickly got in the way as my daughter was born at the end of my first contract obligation and I made the decision to get out and go back to school in 1996. I ended up getting masters degree and started working in civilian Information Operations which I have done for about 10-years now. Yet a day doesn’t go by that I think about my missed opportunity and the guys I served with at the 19th group. Therefore I have made the decision to try to through my hat in the ring again. I have contacted my recruited and have started the venture for going back into the National Guard with the hopes to go through OCS, IOBC and SFAS. That is as far as I am going to plan out, as I do not want to get ahead of myself. I do have some preliminary work ahead of me as my feet are not in shape to be doing the Sandman or any of the grueling timed humps. Physically I feel I am all right except I am recovering from a broken wrist (Warning: If you enjoy Mixed Martial Arts make sure that if anyone leaves the cage that they lock the cage door). My hobbies are martial arts, working out, poker and offensive Information Operations. I hold belts in Tang Soo Do, Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I also practice Kali and Muay Thai.

Therefore yes I am making a declaration that I am willing to give up my cushy life in corporate America to go through some hell (which I truly enjoy) to regain a sense of pride and accomplishment. I know I will do fine in selection as where there is preparation there is no hesitation. My goal is to be in the pipeline within a month or two (wrist and MEPS permitting). I took a PT test this morning and on a broken wrist I score about 240 for 18-21 year old standard. So I figure with two months to be in the pipeline, OCS and IOBC I will be physically ready and a higher APFT score. As for mentally ready I am always a fairly confident person, but I am taking inspiration from a Niche quote I picked up out of ‘Man’s search for meaning’, “If we have our own why in life, we shall get along with almost any how”. Therefore those of you in the pipeline keep your heads up and stay focused on your goal. Those of you how are wearing the long tab thank you for your inspiration and your testament to providing foundations for success. Enough with the novella. Hope to speak with you all soon.