Army needs more 1st lts. for Special Forces

[Max_Tab]

Originally Posted by Basenshukai

Yep.

But, to take the easy way out and simply assume that it is not important, or it's too much trouble for the summer help, means that no SF NCO should ever then complain about having a sub-standard company, battalion, or group commander.

Like I stated earlier, we get out what we get in.

Of course, there is always the 10% that will not be trained. But, that's another thread.

I agree, and sad that I learned this valuable lesson and insight so late in my career.

Hopefully it can be taught to the next generation, earlier than I learned it.

[saab]

SF branch was here at Bragg a couple of months ago and laid out the manning picture for all the year groups, to include the folks that were currently in the Q course. Branch is showing 150 to 220 % strengths in the younger (all Cpt) and middle (all Maj) year groups. They then when on to inform folks that had made SFAS (officers) that they would NOT be attending the Q Course because of the over-strength issues. These folks are going to be returned to their original branches (and what kind of assignments do you think they're going to be getting for being 'disloyal' to their old branches- and worse what do you think the effect will be on recruting).

As far as the comments about was SF Branch needed for officers. Before it was a branch alot of the 'O's that were coming over weren't cutting it in their branches. They were hopping to get a good OER and go back to where they came from and hopefully survive the next promotion board. We were getting some great officers back then but not many. By making it a branch good folks were able to come in stay and compete for promotions and we ended up with afew good GOs.

My question is why did we need a branch for enlisted? Before 11B3S's and the other MOSs competed with the entire Army for E-7 so promtions were rapid. A couple years after we got the branch you had to go out kill a dozen MF's to free up a few slots to get some promoted. And worse it was alot hard to get someone out of SF. Before you just called up Ms Palmer and told her to move the slug's file back to the conventional side of the house.

[sustainthefight]

I am not sure that I follow the logic in regards to your comment on SF Branch strength. (Over strength by 150 to 220 percent is not only high; but it is also a pretty large numerical spread) For Officers, the Special Forces Branch is able to control recruitment, selection, and retention in a way that no conventional branch is able to. Why would they allow year groups to swell up to that high of a level in the first place? Furthermore, why would they select that large a number of Officers only to cut them before the start of the Q-Course? Why not cut them during SFAS? I'm sure that is the more cost effective route because then there is no need to pay for non-airborne qualified O's to attend jump school, etc....

I'm not trying to say that what you are not relaying the correct information but, it just does not seem to make a whole lot of sense.

[Astronomy]

I suspect the previously authorized O-3/O-4 over strength represents a hell of a lot of wartime staff and liaison billets. Folks assigned to various CF HQs, Joint/Combined Task Forces, Advisory elements, FORSCOM/TRADOC shops, FORCEMOD efforts, etc.

As current events wind down, those slots (and some organizations) are evaporating.

We've all seen it. There are so many wartime demands for SOF LNOs and staff augmentees, that operational units can barely man MTOE leader positions on the ground.

[Basenshukai]

Originally Posted by Astronomy

I suspect the previously authorized O-3/O-4 over strength represents a hell of a lot of wartime staff and liaison billets. Folks assigned to various CF HQs, Joint/Combined Task Forces, Advisory elements, FORSCOM/TRADOC shops, FORCEMOD efforts, etc.

As current events wind down, those slots (and some organizations) are evaporating.

We've all seen it. There are so many wartime demands for SOF LNOs and staff augmentees, that operational units can barely man MTOE leader positions on the ground.

This appears to be the case. HQs grew out over the place during the last 12 years.

[Tango three]

Does anyone have a nice recipe for roasted 18A, maybe a nice coq a vin?
Or do we still just eat our young raw?

[Kasik]

World goes 'round in circles.

When I came to Group the XOs were LTs.

Then the Warrant program kicked into gear replacing, as we were told, the XO LT with a Warrant.

Apparently it's come back full circle where LTs are wanted/needed.

IMHO, whether warrant or commissioned a good XO is worth his weight in gold as long as he's got the right mindset.