Introductions I I- Your first post on this board goes here. (CLOSED)

[jmgrimsh]

Hello all. I am currently on the training team here, in Columbus, with 19th Group. I have taken a leave of absence this fall and deferred my loans, so that I can better prepare myself physically and mentally, and begin my training at the soonest possible juncture.
I have learned a lot and from the posts on this site, and intend to continue reading without posting much, because at this point in my career, my interests are best served by listening and learning. If I do have some bit of wisdom to impart, maybe college football, I will not hesitate though.

Thanks,
JG

[Team Sergeant]

Welcome JG.

(Great intro.)

Remember the search button is your friend.

Team Sergeant

[CPTAUSRET]

Welcome aboard, guys!

[Jim DeMatteo]

Greetings to all. This is my fist post and I would like to introduce myself. My name is Jim DeMatteo. I have been retired from Special Forces since March 1, 1995. Here is a brief history of my backround. Even though I've been retired for a few years, I'm sure I still know a few of you that are still active. I'm sure I have met many of you while I was working at SFAS and SERE. Thank you for accepting me as a member. I live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida now. (Yes, the Border Patrol is in Florida) If you are down this way, stop by for a visit.

1977-1984: B Co., 307th Engineer Bn., 82nd Airborne Division, 12B Squad Ldr
1984-1990: A Co., 1st Bn., 7th Special Forces Group ODA 714, 18C and 18F
1990-1992: Special Forces Assessment And Selection (Senior Assessor)
1992-1995: Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) Instructor Team Leader
1995-1996: Military Professional Resources Inc. (MRPI) Observer in Serbia
1996-Present :United States Border Patrol, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Welcome aboard Jim.

[kinetik]

Hello

My name is Rich and I'm a senior at Liberty University majoring in criminal justice. After I graduate my goal is to be in SF by the 18x route and then OCS later. I plan on being in SF for 10 yrs and then join the FBI. I'm pretty sure I have the mental toughness for it because I'm not the kind of person who quits after they commit to something but I know I'm not physically ready (still working on it). I've read tons of information on SF and I can't wait to learn some more from you guys.

[x SF med]

Originally Posted by kinetik

Hello

My name is Rich and I'm a senior at Liberty University majoring in criminal justice. After I graduate my goal is to be in SF by the 18x route and then OCS later. I plan on being in SF for 10 yrs and then join the FBI. I'm pretty sure I have the mental toughness for it because I'm not the kind of person who quits after they commit to something but I know I'm not physically ready (still working on it). I've read tons of information on SF and I can't wait to learn some more from you guys.

Kinetic-
If you attempt SF through 18x, then go to OCS, what makes you think you will be in SF as a Jr LT? Sorry bud, don't work that way. Once you do the OCS thing you need to do 'Branch' time prior to getting back into SF - your 10 years in SF ain't gonna happen the way you think. One, you have a minimum commitment to SF after the Q, assuming you get selected and pass the Q. Two, you are not guaranteed OCS, and should you become an officer, you will have to leave SF for at least 4 years (I believe SFOC requires an O2p, or new O3 min).

Not shooting you down - just analyzing your post, and injecting the realities. Your intro post is that of a ticket puncher / glory boy, at least to me. Reality sucks sometimes.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by kinetik

Hello

My name is Rich and I'm a senior at Liberty University majoring in criminal justice. After I graduate my goal is to be in SF by the 18x route and then OCS later. I plan on being in SF for 10 yrs and then join the FBI. I'm pretty sure I have the mental toughness for it because I'm not the kind of person who quits after they commit to something but I know I'm not physically ready (still working on it). I've read tons of information on SF and I can't wait to learn some more from you guys.

It doesn't work that way, it ain't that easy, and if you knew more about us, or would just do some reading here, you would learn that. Money, or ticket punching, or glory seeking will not keep you going when you are tired, or warm at night when you are cold, or hungry, or are carrying a wounded teammate.

You take an 18X contract and fail, you will have six long years as a junior enlisted infantryman to think about your decision. The recruiter will be happy to let you make that mistake.

I recommend that you skip the whole SF thing and just join the FBI ASAP. You can get a green beret from a Girl Scout.

TR

[x SF med]

Kinetic-
How at age 22, with a professed affinity for track and football can you not be in shape? If that's the case, even if you just go infantry, lay off the computer games, and start rucking. Paintball? forces sloppy habits - give it up. Join an orienteering team - learn land nav.

Y'know what, instead of that, I'll second TR's suggestion - just forego the military and join the FBI. You are too stuck on "your plan" - what are your contingencies, what's your backup ORP, what's you bug out route? What do you do if you fail? Which will probably happen.

[kinetik]

1. I did track and football throughout high school but stopped in college so I would say I am in decent shape but not where I want to be for SFAS.

2. Just sharing my life goals as of right now because I strongly believe in goal setting. Also, I will of course revise my goals once I enlist and learn the whole process of things.

3. My back up plan is to do Infantry, local law enforcement, then FBI.

4. I'll share my current workout if you want.

[Surgicalcric]

Originally Posted by kinetik

...2. ...Also, I will of course revise my goals once I enlist and learn the whole process of things...

As a student in the SFQC I will add this to what you have been told. I have watched other guys make the same mistakes you are now making and so take it for what its worth.

Once you enlist its too late to learn the process as you are bound to become a victim of it if not careful. Planning always comes before execution if you are to succeed here or anywhere else. Do research until all your questions about said process(es) are answered then formulate a plan. Search here and the rest of the internet. I would venture to say most of most if not all your questions about the SF pipeline and how to prepare for whats ahead will be answered with the use of the handy dandy Search button in the upper right of this page.

And remember, Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

Best of luck to you.

Crip

[x SF med]

Kinetik-
Set 25 m targets. Do not use SF as a ticket punch, if you want to do SF, do it all the way and then some. Goals are great, contingencies are better - your goal is the FBI, not SF, therefore bypass SF, we don't need a "just passing through". For your goals, bypass Infantry too, go to the MPs, it's more in line with your end goal. You need to find your focus, laser not shotgun, don't do SF because it looks good on a resume now(BTW, for a long time it didn't, and I left it off mine, just US Army), the FBI will be more impressed if you used your education, military, and civ LEO as a total package, SF would look like a 'side trip' and ticket punch, and could work against you. My .02, but what the hell do I know? I've realized that as I get older, I get stupider vs what I thought I knew at 22.

Oh, yeah - forget your workout, I don't think you'll need it.

[Peregrino]

Kinetik - x_sf_med hit the nail on the head. Your goal is FBI. Concentrate on that. Each career individually requires commitment and sacrifice equalling 100% of your capacity. The more time you WASTE enroute to your final goal, the less likely you are to achieve it. You should be talking with an FBI recruiter right now and tailoring yourself to their requirements. They are like everybody else, they already know what they want, and if you aren't there yet (and they want you anyway) they'll make you what they want you to be. FWIW - Peregrino

[7624U]

I agree with all the prior post Kinetik.
We want guys that are in it for the long haul. SF is not a Job its a Life Style.

[x SF med]

Kinetik-
SF mindset is something you can't describe to the uninitiated, Hell I've been out a long time, and there is something I'll never lose - don't even know if it can be described, it's there before you go to SFAS (or in my case prephase) - they see it, or a glimmer of it, and that's step 1. It gets tested and developed in SFQC, if it was a false glimmer, buh-bye - once you join your first Team, it matures. Any one of the QPs here knows what I'm talking about, very few losers come through the Q, not to say that some don't squeak through and excellent soldiers and men never get selected, but SF requires a different something, your first post, and subsequent posts show it's not there.

This is not an indictment that there is anything wrong with you - it's a truthful explanation - glory hounds, badgefinders, ticket punchers, etc. show themselves early. You made it clear that the FBI is your dream, chase it, excel at it, but I wouldn't even go after the 18x option if I were you, you will be disappointed when you are not selected to attend the Q.

Best of luck in your endeavors.