Analysis paralysis...SF vs. Navy EOD

[afire87]

Hello QPs and forum members.

I am currently trying to find out as much info as possible regarding the 18x program and the Navy EOD program. Recruiters have been short on pertinent info and specifics, although I have been able to connect with quite a few of the Navy EOD guys, I haven't been able to get too many SF experiences and perspectives.

I know it all boils down to what you want out of your experience and who you are as a person, but I can see myself going down both paths and enjoying them immensely. Each person I have spoken with obviously loves the program they were involved in so I take each opinion with a grain of salt.

The areas I am most interested in learning about are the current typical SF deployment schedules, what life is like between tours (training opportunities, hours to be with family), and what your experiences are post-military both in terms of employment opportunities and physical cost of 5-10 years on the teams.

If anyone has any thoughts on the matter, I would love to hear them to balance out all the EOD guys in my ear. I want to make the right decision for myself and serve my country in the best way I can.

Thank you gentlemen,

afire87

[Snaquebite]

Afire,

All of your concerns have been discussed on this forum in depth. Learn to use the search function and do a lot more reading.

[Team Sergeant]

afire87,

This website has a vast amount of information concerning your question.

We have devoted an entire sections for you to read, spend some time reading first then ask your specific questions.

If you took time to read the welcome forum and our rules you will understand that the "search" button is your friend. When you cannot find your answers there then ask.

Welcome aboard.

Team Sergeant

[afire87]

I have been using the search function for a couple days, but I guess not hard enough! I will get back to it, and report back.

Thank you guys!

[The Reaper]

In addition to the above, the missions are entirely different.

You want to go play with UXO or be a support guy for a living, have at it. We do not blow our horns or denigrate other SOF elements here.

SF is a completely different game, and the odds of making it to a team depend in a lot of variables.

The Search button is your friend, and in the end, only you can decide which is best for you.

Good luck.

TR

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by afire87

I have been using the search function for a couple days, but I guess not hard enough! I will get back to it, and report back.

Thank you guys!

Read here, don't stop because it gets into SF deployments later on.

(Now go do push-ups.)

Team Sergeant

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...hread.php?t=70

[surfcolt]

One thing to think about. (EOD) Lets say you blow your ear drum out in training (happend to a good friend of mine) you want to paint ships for a living the rest of your life? Other benefits : Wear bell bottoms, go out to sea and not see land for months at a time, get fat, drink coffee.

ARMY has EOD too I believe.


Good luck with your decision

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by surfcolt

One thing to think about. (EOD) Lets say you blow your ear drum out in training (happend to a good friend of mine) you want to paint ships for a living the rest of your life? Other benefits : Wear bell bottoms, go out to sea and not see land for months at a time, get fat, drink coffee.

ARMY has EOD too I believe.


Good luck with your decision

surfcolt,

This is the "Special Forces Questions" forums, usually we (SF Soldiers) answer the "Special Forces" questions....

TS

[afire87]

The Reaper,

Thank you for your reply...I know the very different job descriptions entail very different careers, but both sound fulfilling. I would never ask for anyone to speak condescendingly about another service MOS. As far as making it to a team, it's "cast or tab" for me. I am giving up a good civilian job and time with my girl, so once I go into the military its full-speed ahead.

As far as UXO and support, from my understanding (however flawed it may be), Navy EOD is the only SOF-deployable EOD unit and work often with Seals, CAG and Devgru. I could be wrong, but I have been told that in these situations, you are a team member with a rifle first, until an EOD situation presents itself. I do not want to play with robots for my career, but I have been told this is not the case. Does anyone's deployment experience contradict this?


Team Seargent,

Thank you very much for that link, I think I actually came upon that page, and went back to search results, not realizing deployment schedules was at the bottom. I will read further from now on.

Pushups completed!


Surfcolt,

True...painting ships would suck if you wash out of EOD, but washing out of the SF pipeline is not something I want either. I don't see being a 29 yr old E-2, E-3 in the conventional army as an ideal scenario for me personally. No matter what happens, I will make the most of it, and if I end up 11B Airborne so be it. I will be the best goddamn 11B, get to Ranger school somehow, and hopefully get back to Selection someday.


Thanks again everyone, I will keep using the search!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by afire87

... I don't see being a 29 yr old E-2, E-3 in the conventional army as an ideal scenario for me personally... ...!

Interesting, very interesting.

But you may end up there.

[afire87]

Pete,

Thank you for your response. I have read the % of those who pass Selection and the Q course, and all I can do is prepare to the best of my abilities and have faith when it all goes to shit, which I have read happens at some point to everyone. Beyond preparing physically, mentally, and emotionally...and "cast or tab" as my level of commitment, I have done all I can and its up to the man upstairs. If I give my all, no surrender, and still do not make it, then I will adapt and overcome at that juncture.

This was my full statement...

"I don't see being a 29 yr old E-2, E-3 in the conventional army as an ideal scenario for me personally. No matter what happens, I will make the most of it, and if I end up 11B Airborne so be it. I will be the best goddamn 11B, get to Ranger school somehow, and hopefully get back to Selection someday."

[afire87]

After searching long and hard here and elsewhere, I went with my gut and my original drive for military service, to become a Green Beret.

I went to MEPS got my physical, and was DQ'd for a childhood surgery. My PULHES was 3P 1 1 1 2 1.

After getting my waiver and returning to MEPS, my PULHES was changed to
1 1 1 1 2 1.

The Doc, Guidance Counselor, and Recruiter all said to go 11b and just drop a packet for selection once active. But I have read stories here and elsewhere that people with waivers have gotten 18x contracts.

In addition, the Doc said the 3P will be on my record forever even if I never have problems, and excel physically as a soldier. I am worried it will come back to haunt me, and when I drop a packet for Airborne, Ranger, or Selection, they will see the 3P and not the current rating of 1, and I will never even get the chance.

I have also been told to a few SF recruiters that I got in contact with recently at Fort Lewis and Fort Campbell that 11b may not be the best option to get to Selection the quickest. They mentioned CONUS and 1 yr. duty station requirements at minimum, 2 yrs at maximum.

My questions are:

1. Is there any way in hell that I can get 18x with a waiver? Will letters from high ranking officers, Congressmen, and Senators help?

2. If not, and while trying to drop a packet for selection as Active Duty, will that 3P prevent me later? Or is it once in the Army, the current physical assessment all that matters?

3. In your perfect scenario, what MOS would you select to be best prepared for selection? How stringent are the release policies for that MOS unit in terms of getting let go for selection?

I really have Googled and used the search button for hours a day, and many days now. If I have missed information elsewhere, I only ask for the search words to get to it, as I have tried any combination of these questions, and read through all the search results.

Thank you QPs. I will do pushups now just in case!

afire87

[blue02hd]

Afire,

You are pounding away at the same questions that have been answered on this site multiple times. If you read some of the profiles of the QP's that post here you will find that many of us have prior service in the Army prior to making the decision to try and make it through the Q-Course. To many here, the question "How can I get to Special Forces the quickest (AKA easiest)" indicates a certain amount of reluctance and honestly, laziness. Waiver's? Letter of Recommendation from a General, Politician, or Jedi Knight? Where is your mindset?

Nothing about the course is easy, and team time is guaranteed to provide you 25 hours of work in a 24 hour day. If you want quick and easy, you may want to relook the Navy EOD option you mentioned, which is absolutely nothing close to the route we will discuss here. Maybe you could benefit from a couple years in the "conventional Army" as your recruiters referred to just to see if you and the military lifestyle agree with each other, which at this point you cannot hope to know as no amount of advice from your buddies can answer how you will feel. Your experiences will be vastly different, guaranteed.

No one MOS is the magic MOS to prepare you for selection, but you may find a larger portion of the candidates from the Infantry. While many civilians in your shoes look onto the Infantry as a second class occupation in the military compared to volley ball playing Jet Pilots and those super sexy Navy SEALS, you may find out how key your Infantry background can become if you pursue schools like Ranger School, and deploy a time or two with an regular unit. SEALS wish they had the Ranger background, and are even strap hanging in on our SUT and Sage classes in an attempt to capture it. Just like you, they won't find an easy quick substitute. Basic Infantry skills will serve you well, no matter what MOS you find yourself.

My advice, stop thinking this is a race to get to the finish line by donning a Green Beret, and realize this is a marathon. You best train for it on your own, and then remove whatever hurdles the recruiters put in front of you. Body slam Basic Training. Slam Dunk AIT. Stay motivated in your gaining Unit, volunteer for Ranger School, and you will find your CoC not only can't stop you from getting a Selection Packet, but will support you if they see your heart is in it. Just because you do not have a guaranteed 18X contract means little or nothing, welcome to the club.

SF is a profession that will require's alot more from you than the average person is willing to give. Many more young men fail than are successful on this road, and many of them had 18X contracts.

Good luck with your choice whatever it is, and enjoy your remaining civilian days if you choose to number them and join us in the military.

[surfcolt]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

surfcolt,

This is the "Special Forces Questions" forums, usually we (SF Soldiers) answer the "Special Forces" questions....

TS

Fair enough if that is the general thought process. I figure with having served in the 5-19th SFG and in the NAVY I might have something to add to someone asking about a comparison of the NAVY vs the ARMY.

[Richard]

afire87 -

You've gotten some good advice here - now, what are you going to do with it? The SF option is never preordained - you want a guarantee, go buy a preowned idea from Honest O-bee down the block.

Have you considered Army or Air Force EOD? The initial entry bonuses for that career field across the services are astounding right now.

It seems to me as if you're limiting yourself to two CAs (Courses of Action) - SF or Navy EOD - not a wise strategy IMO if you're as serious a contender for military service as you claim.

Richard's $.02