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Old 05-04-2022, 17:15   #11
Astronomy
Quiet Professional
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 492
Get the age waiver and go to SFAS... then on to Group. That's the most direct path available.

Or...

Secure an Option 40 contract and go to Ranger Regiment. Probably the single best place to prepare oneself for a future SF selection and assignment. One enlisted tour there...and on to attempt SFAS at the earliest your Battalion will support. I fucking guarantee you'll be mentally, physically, and skillfully prepared for attempting accession into SF.

I don't see that an 11X Airborne Option is going to result in any faster opportunity to attempt SFAS. Any first assignment unit is going to get some hard use out of you (time wise) before allowing you to attend SFAS. 75th Rangers no different in that respect than the 82nd ABN.

If you are highly successful at either unit (after garnering command recommendation)... apply for OCS.

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Ranger Mentality? Yeah that's an actual philosophical discussion topic around SF, but that recruiter is still wrong. 75th Rangers have been a primary feeder mechanism for SF since the Ranger Batts were formed back in 1974.

Those who completely drink the Ranger Regiment's Kool-Aid tend to stay in the 75th. Some try out for Delta's Selection & go behind the fence. A hell of a lot of them come over to SF and do very well. Former 75th guys on ODAs have always been a fairly common thing... and well appreciated by Team Sergeants & Sergeants Major. Because they show up already well experienced, trained, motivated, and vetted by multiple gut checks. Beyond merely having completed SFAS/SFQC. Usually bringing some hard earned Junior/Mid-Grade NCO leadership experience with them to boot.

SF & Rangers are vaguely similar (in terms of some basic SOF mission capabilities & carefully selected pool of human material), but two entirely different jobs and force structures. There is a requirement to mentally flip that job switch upon arrival at SF. Most former Rangers accomplish that quite handily.

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Another angle to consider regarding commissioning:

https://www.gograd.org/resources/rot...duate-student/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.com...-degree.39761/

Get commissioned, earn another degree, and then pursue SF when your year group window opens.

You sound like you want it and are able to articulate your desire. Your described background sounds like a potentially good fit. You have several choices, but not a lot of time (age) before some windows close. Choose your main target and pull the trigger. Don't let "what-if" contingency worries dissuade you from grabbing for the brass ring.

I'd go for the waiver and attempt SFAS. That's the Leeroy Jenkins play. If it doesn't pan out, you'll find most of your other goals still available.

Last edited by Astronomy; 05-04-2022 at 18:10.
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