Hello; this is my first "real" post and I just wanted some insight.
As of right now, I plan on attending SFAS and attempting to become a SF soldier. My dilemma is I am not sure my path before I enlist.
As they say, if you don't know where your'e going any path will get you there
If I had to decide today, I would go to college for four years, and then enlist.
it is today, but the real question should be why go to college? Do you have something in mind to study ar to meet pretty girls and learn drinking games? -- all worthy endeavors.
However, I am considering spending a couple years in North Dakota working on the oil rigs, making some good money before I enlist.
Do you need money that badly or do you want money or are you looking for an adventure? Nothing wrong with any of these either.
Not only would it help me physically prepare for SF,
not if you lost a few fingers.but I feel like I would enjoy it.
Ever been to North Dakota in the winter? been outside in a North Dakota winter?
If I were to do that, I would spend a couple years as an enlisted man, and then try my luck at an appointment to West Point. I want to be an Officer,
are you sure? again, you better ask yourself why, especially as the length of team time looks like it matters to you later in your post.but I don't want to spend my career in the military.
Twenty years is sufficient length of time to change your mind
I've always admired the USMA and I've dreamed of going there, but I don't feel like I could get in as of right now. So I guess my question is, as an enlisted soldier, how hard is it to get an appointment to West Point?
It's never going to be easy unless your parent has the MOH, but enlisted Soldiers are eligible for West Point Prep. If you don't think you can get in now you probably won't get in after a few years on an oil field what with all the distractions to a self-study plan.
Another question, and it is somewhat related to the previous one. As an officer, how long do you spend leading an ODA?
12-18 month if your good and lucky I've recently read "The Only Thing Worth Dying For," and "Horse Soldiers." In both of those books, the leader of the ODA was a commissioned officer.
That's why he's called the Team Leader. . . I always liked the term "Commander" better.
In both of those books, that officer was the "face of America." If I was a
n SF soldier I would want to be the one discussing plans and conversing with the local leaders, and I would want to represent our nation.
You're kind of missing why we call it a Team. When those leaders heard the word "America" I would want them to think of how well I represented the country.
So, my second question is, are the COs the only ones who really deal with the leaders face-to-face,
NO. but they are responsibe for everything that happens or fails to happen and what is the average length that an officer spends leading an ODA?
you asked this already
I apologize for the lengthy post, I just have not had anywhere to ask these questions. Thanks in advance
We're hear to help