Advice/guidance would be appreciated

[ofalax32]

Hello all,

I recently signed my contract for 11x option 4, ship date January 20, 2010. A little backround to my situation: I was enrolled in ROTC in 2008 and was mislead as far as scholarship and requested seperation to pursue an 18x contract to ship November 20, 2008. Needless to say they took their sweet time and I was recently released from my ROTC obligation and able to sign an enlisted contract on September 10,2009 only to find out no open slots for 18x this fiscal year and well into 2010. Upon this dilemma I decided to take the closest/soonest date to keep my dream alive. In closing I would like to throw out the question is there any likelyhood for me to request and recieve a chance to try-out for special forces in OSUT or Airbourne or must I wait to drop a packet at my duty station

Additional Info:
93 on ASVAB
regular pt scores of 300 while in ROTC
College credits to attain rank of E-3


If anyone at all could shed some light on either my chances or course of action would be greatly appreciated.


Respectfully,

[Surgicalcric]

Originally Posted by ofalax32

...is there any likelyhood for me to request and recieve a chance to try-out for special forces in OSUT or Airborne or must I wait to drop a packet at my duty station...

Did you search for the answer before asking? I know its been covered at least once before...

Since I am in an especially good mood today... The answer is, there isn't a definite answer. People have been allowed to change their contract in OSUT in the past; others have tried to no avail.

My advice to you is to do your best at everything. If/when the SF Liaison at Ft. Benning comes by to talk to the 18X's ask your DS if you can speak to the Liaison then present your case to the Liaison. He will be the one who can make it happen, or not.

In the future you need to do your own research. We arent opposed to answering questions - providing they are well thought out and previously researched - but we arent here to answer the same ones over and again. We are looking for self-motivated, self-reliant, and self-starters, not those requiring someone to lead them around by the hand...

Go do PT...

Crip

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by Surgicalcric

Did you search for the answer before asking? I know its been covered at least once before...

Since I am in an especially good mood today... The answer is, there isnt a definite answer. People have been allowed to do change their contract in OSUT before; others have said they tried and was told no.

My advice to you is to do your best at everything. If/when the SF Liaison at Benning comes by to talk to the other 18X's ask your DS if you can speak to the Liaison. Present your case to him. Chances are he will speak to your DS's and then decide yes or no...

Crip

It's a good thing your in a good mood today Crip...... I would have told him to do more searching before asking questions they have already been answered by QP's... You've been more than generous to this young tiger.......

Big Teddy

[hypereclipse21]

I do not have any advice to offer, as I am only in the enlistment process at this time. First, thank you for enlisting to serve our country. However, I am certain there are 18x contracts available, especially considering FY '10 began one week ago. Perhaps you should have stood your ground by making it perfectly clear you would not sign anything but an 18x contract.

Back to reading, PT; back into my lane.

[Scimitar]

Ofalax.

There are definitely 18X contract available and will be for some time. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for a recruiter and/or his station commander to not want to deal with an 18X contact. There is substantially more paperwork, higher chance of MEPS rejection, higher DEP loss % etc.

However recruiters do get 2 points instead of 1 for an 18X contract, but often they see it as not worth it.

Here's my advice.
1) Did you recruiter mislead you, maybe not, don't assume he did.

2) Approach your recruiter and say that you have had it confirmed by a contact thru Fort Knox that there are AD 18X contract available and that you fully understand the "misunderstanding" and that "recruiting is an extremely complicated business and s**t happens". Don't accuse him of misleading you, just assume he was mistaken.

3) Request a change in contract. You can do this, no mater what they say, you can do this. Make sure that on any paperwork you sign it says the reason you want to change you contract is due to being "accidentally misinformed by your recruiter about the availability of the 18X contract". "Jumping ship" can look bad. Make sure it says this or something very similar, the blame should NICELY be put on your recruiter not you.

If you have any problems there are other options to remedy this. You want an 18X contract you deserve the right to attempt to get one. Please advise me of your progression happy to help if you hit any walls.

BTW. is it possible that you might not have qualified for an 18X contract, is there anything that may be an issue in view of Spec Op Med Regs or Security Clearance? I doubt it as you did get ROTC which has similar requirements, but always best to ask. It is possible your recruiter steered you away from 18X as he realised you couldn't get it?

HTH

Scimitar

[ofalax32]

My recruiter acctually pushed really hard for me to get an 18x contract filled out all the security paperwork and even talked to the security interviewer at MEPS to see if I would clear and I did, as I had been charged with a felony,misdemenor,violation and traffic ticket all stemming from a traffic accident which all was reduced to two counts of disorderly conduct minor non traffic violation. He even called the rock and when I was at MEPs still no 18x ship dates in the fist half of 2010. And as I had stated earlier I have been waiting for a year now to be released from my ROTC contract to enlist.