Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - Considering my situation, which is the best path for SF?

Adrianthebear · 08-14-2015, 07:19

Thank You Astronomy for your detailed and well-thought out response. To answer your question as to why I cannot enlist under the 18x program is because I do not have my citizenship yet. I am a permanent resident, and will be obtaining my citizenship by late 2018 - early 2019. If I could have, believe me, I would have already done so. That is another reason as to why I am looking at a 11x option 4 contract first.

Additionally, I did consider the enlistment then OCS option. That is my second option, under the ROTC option. The reason for enlisting is so I can get some experience, expedite my citizenship process (requirement for SF) and finish my degree within the four years of the initial contract ( I hear mix opinions in regards to this, some say it is possible others refute that). Once the initial enlisted contract is done, I would then either apply for OCS or SF selection.

I did consider the Guard option. In fact, it is a must if I continue with ROTC because of the citizenship thing. I would need to enlist by year's end and go to training next summer so I can obtain my citizenship before I start my junior year of college. The SF Guard option does seem very appealing, but I would have to check if the citizenship requirements are the same; which I would assume so because of the secret security clearance needed. And if that is the case, i think i wouldn't be able to follow through with the SF NG option because of the citizenship, but we can still look at the 11x NG option.

On a side note: I understand why obtaining a BA is important before starting anything (as noted by some of you guys), but the uncertainties of ROTC slots are increasing with the troop cuts we are expected to have and the decline in deployments. Moreover, I wouldn't want to end up in a reserve unit for a few years after ROTC in the scenario where I do not get an Active duty slot(no offense to the reserve component), i do want to serve AD and the best path that offers more than a few certainties or at least guaranteed opportunities is the enlisting either within a few months or right after finishing college. All the other paths whether it is ROTC, OCS after college without previous service, NG then AD Army do not seem to offer the same chances/opportunities. ---But if anyone finds holes within my reasoning in regards to the last "On a side note" paragraph, please share with me your opinions.

Thank You!

08-14-2015, 07:19	#14
Adrianthebear Asset Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 6	Thank You Astronomy for your detailed and well-thought out response. To answer your question as to why I cannot enlist under the 18x program is because I do not have my citizenship yet. I am a permanent resident, and will be obtaining my citizenship by late 2018 - early 2019. If I could have, believe me, I would have already done so. That is another reason as to why I am looking at a 11x option 4 contract first. Additionally, I did consider the enlistment then OCS option. That is my second option, under the ROTC option. The reason for enlisting is so I can get some experience, expedite my citizenship process (requirement for SF) and finish my degree within the four years of the initial contract ( I hear mix opinions in regards to this, some say it is possible others refute that). Once the initial enlisted contract is done, I would then either apply for OCS or SF selection. I did consider the Guard option. In fact, it is a must if I continue with ROTC because of the citizenship thing. I would need to enlist by year's end and go to training next summer so I can obtain my citizenship before I start my junior year of college. The SF Guard option does seem very appealing, but I would have to check if the citizenship requirements are the same; which I would assume so because of the secret security clearance needed. And if that is the case, i think i wouldn't be able to follow through with the SF NG option because of the citizenship, but we can still look at the 11x NG option. On a side note: I understand why obtaining a BA is important before starting anything (as noted by some of you guys), but the uncertainties of ROTC slots are increasing with the troop cuts we are expected to have and the decline in deployments. Moreover, I wouldn't want to end up in a reserve unit for a few years after ROTC in the scenario where I do not get an Active duty slot(no offense to the reserve component), i do want to serve AD and the best path that offers more than a few certainties or at least guaranteed opportunities is the enlisting either within a few months or right after finishing college. All the other paths whether it is ROTC, OCS after college without previous service, NG then AD Army do not seem to offer the same chances/opportunities. ---But if anyone finds holes within my reasoning in regards to the last "On a side note" paragraph, please share with me your opinions. Thank You!
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