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Been there...
To all interested, I was a SWO in the Navy for 5 and 1/2 years. I was on a ship as a "line" officer, then moved to NSW as a boat guy for 3 yrs. I saw the light and decided to try SFAS rather than BUDs. I am still relieved that I made that decision. Since being selected, I intra-service transferred, began ICCC (now MCCC) and completed the QC. I showed up to a team just before PMT, and am typing this from a sandy place.
What I can tell you is that YES, it is a very different culture. I was lucky to be working in SOF for a few years prior to coming over, however, it is still very different. I would recommend anyone that follows my footsteps capitalize on any light infantry tactics and leadership opportunities. It has been a challenge to fill the role of typically prior-11A TLs, but if you can't meet a challenge like that, then you don't belong here anyway, right? Now that I'm over here with a great team and working with PL's from INF and ARMOR, I don't think they have much on me as far as tactical knowledge, it's more of just being brought up in the Army culture.
I have learned a lot in my Army time, but I agree, I think that good leadership and inter-personal skills will serve you well no matter where or who you serve with. I continue to learn new things everyday, but then...that's what I signed up to do! I have even had the opportunity to conduct some joint operations with the very SEALs I worked with in the Navy, and all I can say is that I stand behind my decision. The worst part is: what do I do while watching the Army Navy game?
LL
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