Officer branch prior to 18A

[Derek808]

Out of curiosity, while I've searched these boards and I know that an officer's former MOS branch doesn't effect their SFAS eligibility, have any of you gentlemen personally met or known any 18A's who weren't former combat arms officers? (MI, Chem. Ord., MP, etc?)

Thank you.

[blue02hd]

Yes.

[Richard]

Many.

Richard

Originally Posted by Derek808

Out of curiosity, while I've searched these boards and I know that an officer's former MOS branch doesn't effect their SFAS eligibility, have any of you gentlemen personally met or known any 18A's who weren't former combat arms officers? (MI, Chem. Ord., MP, etc?)

Thank you.

Derek808,

Before many 18A's begin to assist you in adjusting fire, allow me, a Sr NCO to correct this deficiency.

Stop Posting.

There are many threads to read, 1000's of posts, and a few PM's that will be much more beneficial than starting another thread.

If you would like a further explanation, I would be happy to give you a required reading list of threads that will help, or you can wait for others to chime in.

Good luck, welcome to PS.com, have a very SF day.

[Derek808]

Wet Dog,

that would be very helpful to see that thread list, if it's not too much of an inconvenience! And I'll make this my last thread, and instead opt for PM's or replies on threads already up in the future. Didn't mean to add to the clutter!

Originally Posted by Derek808

Wet Dog,

that would be very helpful to see that thread list, if it's not too much of an inconvenience! And I'll make this my last thread, and instead opt for PM's or replies on threads already up in the future. Didn't mean to add to the clutter!

Derek -

SF instructions, like most military career paths begin with LOI, POI, etc.

From here, start with the PS.com home page, Forum 18A. Listed are two full pages of 18A information, resulting in 54 different threads, and accompanying posts.

Once finshed, send me a PM, I'll take you through OSS History, followed by each of the 18 series MOS of the men you will command, then PSYOPs, CA, MI, and other branches that support SF and unit organizations that we support in return.

Visit and read TAPS, each of the men, their bios and accompanying posts. Split your time evenly 80/20 between required reading and the balance with reading current affairs, as to not just become a book worm, but someone who will have an intelligent opinion that can defend or argue his point of view.

Find a few heros, like Col Bob Howard and Nick Rowe, what they did, who they were. Then begin making quiet inquiries with some of the men who served with them. Those who knew them are here at PS.com.

Derek, thank you for taking the challenge. This will be an adventure for you, consider also, keeping a journal under your own pen and efforts of lessons learned during this process.

Once you enter the 18A pipeline, Officer Advance Cources and such, the journal will be a wonderful resource as your career progresses.

Good reading, happy hunting, enjoy.

Wet Dog

Originally Posted by wet dog

Derek -

SF instructions, like most military career paths begin with LOI, POI, etc.

From here, start with the PS.com home page, Forum 18A. Listed are two full pages of 18A information, resulting in 54 different threads, and accompanying posts.

Once finshed, send me a PM, I'll take you through OSS History, followed by each of the 18 series MOS of the men you will command, then PSYOPs, CA, MI, and other branches that support SF and unit organizations that we support in return.

Visit and read TAPS, each of the men, their bios and accompanying posts. Split your time evenly 80/20 between required reading and the balance with reading current affairs, as to not just become a book worm, but someone who will have an intelligent opinion that can defend or argue his point of view.

Find a few heros, like Col Bob Howard and Nick Rowe, what they did, who they were. Then begin making quiet inquiries with some of the men who served with them. Those who knew them are here at PS.com.

Derek, thank you for taking the challenge. This will be an adventure for you, consider also, keeping a journal under your own pen and efforts of lessons learned during this process.

Once you enter the 18A pipeline, Officer Advance Cources and such, the journal will be a wonderful resource as your career progresses.

Good reading, happy hunting, enjoy.

Wet Dog

A few PM'd me back a few weeks ago accepting the challenge.

What have you learned?

Time to chime in, you know who you are.

WD

[CW1287]

Wet Dog,

I learned quite a few things. One of the first things is that while you may be the Officer of the team you are still a guest of the team. The team will be there after you leave and it was there prior to your arrival. Your mere existance on the team does not make the team succed or fail. The next thing I learned, You are the face of the team to the command. You stick up for the team and take care of the team. If higher is sending down lashes for the team you take them and turn the other cheek for more. This is what is expected of you, you do not dime your men out or lay the blame off on someone else, you man up and shoulder the burden.

The next piece is leadership. There are all different kinds of leaders, some are good and others are poor. The best leaders are those who can take constructive criticism and use it to better themselves. Those who try and do everything on their own without the input of the team will fail and may be seen as a poor leader.

After reading Basenshukai's articles I have learned that flexibilty is a must from a leader. No two situations will ever be the same and a good officer must be able to adapt and overcome. Never quitting is another theme throughout his article, no matter how hopeless a situation (whether it be in training or the "real world") may seem. Sitiational Awareness is keep, if you do not have it you will fail at many junctures. Know it, use it, love it.

I have learned so many things by reading all the posts that I could write an extremely long thread about it. The above seems to be many of the recurring themes I saw. The biggest and most influencial is focus. Keeping focused on the 5M and 25M targets. When you want to achieve something so badly you begin looking out to the 300m and beyond targets. You loose your SA and you miss what is in front of you. In order to achieve everything you want in life you must slow down, know what your 300m target looks like, but focus on the 5M and 25M target, while you work you way out. Not clearing your 5 and 25 could kill your progress (literally in some cases) before you ever get close to your goal. Keep your SA in check.

LT W

Wet Dog, if you are looking for more let me know and I add to my message.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by wet dog

...I would be happy to give you a required reading list...

Some of these may also be worth your time.

Richard

[CW1287]

Richard,

Thank you for the list. The green ones on the right hand side, do those say "A Military History of the Western World"? Just wanted to verify. I have read a few of those, but it is clear I have a few more to begin.

LT W

[Richard]

Originally Posted by CW1287

The green ones on the right hand side, do those say "A Military History of the Western World"? Just wanted to verify.

Yep - JFC Fuller's classic. I got mine (1st ed) for free at the USIS library at the AmEmbassy-Bonn when they were going to toss them for not having been checked out in years. Sometimes you just get lucky.

Gutes lesen!

Richard

[sleepyhead4]

LT W,

I have only one thing to add to your list of what an SF Officer should and is expected to do. Do not accept substandard performance or immoral/unethical actions by anyone. Mistakes are made everyday. If they are honest mistakes that can be corrected, then correct it. If they are done intentionally as a flaw in character or out of sheer laziness, that is unacceptable.

Remember, "big boy rules."