Requesting .02 for First 25m Target

[asg]

TLDR: "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9.

Two plus years later and here's the promised update:

I ended up having to request a waiver for a surgery that I had at birth (over 30 years ago) and that delayed my packet for about 6 months in MEPS because of the new Genesis medical system changeover. During that time, I took a seminary course out of an interest to learn more about my faith and was hired on the civilian side as the Spiritual Life Director at a Christian school. I began to discern a call to work in ministry and am now enrolled full time in seminary and got married to a great girl from my church.

On the military side of things, I let go of ambitions to run and gun and took up the arms of spiritual warfare and direct commissioned as a Chaplain Candidate in the ARNG. It was affirming how quickly the path moved once I made this my target.

The resources and connections on this forum were extremely valuable. It shot holes in any rose colored glasses as I had, made me think seriously about the team I might have joined at an advanced age, and kept me humbly in pursuit of the path the Lord had for me even when I couldn't see more than one step in front of myself. As a nice bonus, the training resource I found in Kevin Edgerton at 18 Alpha Fitness set me up to be the Chaplain Corps guy that's smoking everyone else in the ACFT.

All that to say, thank you to everyone who has contributed their experience not just to this elite force, but also to sharing their knowledge. If you're considering this path as I was, do your research, count the cost, and go where you're best equipped and most needed. Here's a final word of the day from James 4:13-15:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Pro Deo Et Patri through Christ Alone,
-asg

[Box]

ASG - its good to hear that you found your path.
I wish you the very best.

It is your path to walk - walk it your way and don't pay mind to those that have never walked the path that you seek or the path that you take.

[sg1987]

This is a great post! It's clear you've been researching your options for joining Special Forces. Both enlisted and officer paths offer unique advantages. As an enlisted 18A you'll gain experience on the ground early in your career, but promotions can limit your operational time. The officer route offers faster career progression and potentially more leadership opportunities, but you'll have less hands-on experience.

Consider your priorities. If you prioritize getting on a team ASAP, enlisted might be the way to go. If leadership and long-term career growth are more important, consider OCS. Whichever path you choose, be prepared to put in the hard work and training to succeed in SF.

So I have a question about this previous post. I am very, very far from being technically savvy when it comes to information technology. These posts seem like they were AI generated. Also, it doesn’t appear this individual is a QP, and lacks the situation awareness to refrain from answering questions about the SF pipe line leads me to think this is some kind of auto generated messaging that he’s been posting on these boards. Am I mistaken?

[Joker]

Originally Posted by sg1987

So I have a question about this previous post…

You are correct. QPs should answer the questions.

[1stindoor]

asg. Thanks for the update and I wish you nothing but success and blessings on your new goal. When it gets tough, and it's not going my way...I remember this verse:
Romans 8:28

And when I think I have all the answers:
Job 38:4

[Sinister]

ASG, I know this is far later than you may ever see, but consider this:

Special Forces, Ranger, and Special Mission Units require pastoral support. Once you commission as a chaplain, contact your branch. If you are serious, volunteer for jump school (the very basic entry prerequisite).

I have served with a number of chaplains who took this road. Many don't, won't, or can't -- there's a flock for each. Birds of a feather flock together.

One of the chaplains who worked for me in a forward-stationed battalion required a special dispensation from the Chief of Chaplains to bear arms to attend the Special Forces Detachment Officers Qualification Course. Until it cleared he carried a chunk of rebar with a shepherd's crook with a machinegun sling.

The only doors that might remain closed to you are the ones you don't seek.