Old 05-25-2015, 22:35   #1876
Medic14
Asset
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Springfield, IL
Posts: 1
Introduction

Hello everyone,

I first would like to say thank you to all of the administrators and QP's of this website for letting me be a part of it and for even making the site. I am 22 years old and have an 18X contract and ship out Wednesday, May 27th. I am currently a medic in the Illinois Army National Guard and have been in for about 2 and a half years now. I've been reading threads on this site for months now and I just decided to make a profile before I left. Again thank you.
Medic14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2015, 03:57   #1877
Armada
Asset
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 2
Hey guys, I'm currently going to school in New York and training for SFAS. I haven't enlisted yet but am in contact with a recruiter and keeping him posted on my progress. I don't want enlist until I feel I'm fit enough that I won't be wasting the cadre's time at selection.

A few things I'm hoping to get out of this forum is all the HUMINT from current and past QP'S and to find a mentor in the NYC area. As fun as rucking around Central Park with a 45 plate in my bag is, a human connection to guide me would be a lot more constructive.

Looking forward to interacting with everyone and gleaning some solid advice.
Armada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2015, 10:49   #1878
Kestrel
Asset
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Cameron, NC
Posts: 1
I am currently finishing my third year as a Drill Sergeant in the wild and wonderful Palmetto State. I started my military career with a short stint in the VAARNG before being released to persue a full time career on Active Duty. I recently attended and completed SFAS and am looking forward starting my training in the "Q".

I have been using this forum as a resource for some time now. I greatly appreciate all of the of the advice and experiences shared by the admins and QPs. The ainformation shared here was of great use during my time at SFAS. I hope it proves to be equally as useful during the Q and beyond.
Kestrel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2015, 16:05   #1879
Bill Coffman
Asset
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: California, on the coast above LA
Posts: 3
Greetings to all. I m a former ODA member from a few years ago now. I went through the Q-Course in the 80s and found this site because someone posted a picture of their class out at MacKall from my era. It was good to see and if any others have anything from phase training back then, from MacKall to Smokebomb Hill, I would really like to see them
Bill Coffman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2015, 19:50   #1880
wingless
Asset
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Norway
Posts: 1
Hello all. Been browsing these parts for a couple of months now, decided to join so I could get the opportunity to ask questions should they arise. A little bit about myself, I am Norwegian and 18 years old. I will be attending selection for the airborne unit in the norwegian army in roughly a month. Understand this forum mainly pertains to SFAS and related subjects, but from what I could gather the knowledge posted is relevant for my "case" as well.

Cheers

Wingless
wingless is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2015, 18:56   #1881
Bradleyfm
Asset
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Roosevelt NJ
Posts: 1
Firstly, I want to thank y'all for your service, and what you do on this board. The wealth of information contained here has helped me immensely, and I am sure it will continue to be of great assistance as I pursue my goal of earning an opportunity to prove myself at SFAS.

I spent the first ten years of my adult life in the business world. I ran a longboard skateboard company based out of New Jersey. It was a hell of a slog for the first six years but then we hit a tipping point, and things just sort of fell into place. It was the family business and from seventeen onward it was all I knew. I wouldn't trade the experiences of my youth for anything, but it never felt truly right for me. After ten years I realized I wanted to do something more with my life. My parents were incredibly supportive, my brother (and primary business partner) had a harder time accepting it. That was three years ago.

It was camping in the high peaks of the Rockies that I came to the conclusion that I am a warrior and a healer above all else. From a young age I felt the pull of leadership, helping people and the warrior spirit. The military has always appealed to me, but I come from a highly liberal household and had a hard time reconciling my desire to serve with the effect it might have on those who love me most.

It took me another year to decide it was the right thing to do, so I sat my family down and began the long and painful discussions that helped them understand why I was so moved to pursue this path. As you might imagine, my mother and fiancé had the hardest time accepting it. They've since come around and are just about as supportive as any many could hope for. I am truly blessed.

Shortly after those initial conversations I spoke with a recruiter about pursuing a career as a 68W. My initial pretest scores were "Good enough" in their opinions to head to head for Meps. I had my doubts, and assumed that scoring as high as possible would probably be in my best interest (To the annoyance of the recruiters). I had not studied much of the math since high-school. I reach out to an old friend that I grew up with, who served as an SF operator. During one deployment he was shot in the femur and spent many years fighting to recover, he ended up with a medical discharge. I was concerned that he might regret his choice of path, and might discourage me from mine, but nothing could have been further from the truth.

He gave me a clear picture of how much his service meant to him, and fully supported the direction I was moving. He gave me a clear idea of what it means to be a part of the SF brotherhood, and why it's worth devoting my whole being to pursuing a place at SFAS. He has been an incredible asset in my research and training since that initial phone call.

My current directive is to continue training, researching and studying until September when I will start EMT training at UCLA CPC. I have a job lined up in a bad part of LA where I hope to gain some real world experience in the EMS field. I had considered 18-Xray but I will age out by the time I'd feel prepared for SFAS. In October I'm getting married. From there I'll continue working as an EMT and training/studying until spring when I'll head for Meps. With luck I'll get a 68w position and an opportunity to go to jump school, where I'll continue working my ass off and praying for an opportunity to prove myself at SFAS.

Thank you all again for what you do. Even if I don't make it into your brotherhood, your community will always stand out to me as one of the most exemplary fighting forces the world has ever known.

All the Best,

Bradley
Bradleyfm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2015, 15:57   #1882
DanHeller88
Asset
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NY
Posts: 36
Hello All

My name is Dan, I am 26 years old. I joined the Army in the summer of 2014 on the DEP with an Option 40 contract. A few weeks before my ship out date I was hit and run by a truck on my motorcycle. I sustained pretty severe injuries. I had many breaks and fractures to my hand(to the point of having to sign consent for amputation). I had multiple compound fractures to my foot. I lost all the skin on my back, down through bare muscle. I spent 31 days in the ICU, and 118 days in a wheel chair. I had 3 external pins inserted into my foot(have since been removed), and 4 external pins inserted into my hand(have since been removed. I now only have 1 screw remaining in my hand from a revision surgery.

I was told I would only have 35% use of my hand and would have trouble running for the rest of my life. Being the stubborn type, day 1 out of my wheel chair I jogged a mile. Today, 9 months later I am feeling terrific, and my will to pursue my dream is stronger than ever.

I have spent a lot of time weight training over the past 9 months, in order to increase the grip strength to my damaged hand. After being told I would only have 35% use of it, I am back to 95% at a minimum now. In the recent weeks I have really been trying to put miles on my feet to make sure they will hold up. I have done several rucks with 35lbs, and have had no issues what so ever.

My only downfall currently seems to be my cardio, struggling with running. I am pushing this as my number 1 priority currently, as I would like to grab up an 18x contract by August or September.
DanHeller88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 04:18   #1883
eragon
Asset
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Germany
Posts: 1
introduction

Hi everyone.
I'm a 22 year old undergraduate mathematics student.
I want to thank you for building and maintaining this forum. I'm very grateful that there are active and former special forces soldiers who take the time to advise prospective candidates, especially considering the odds of someone actually making it into the unit. I think special operation forces candidates from around the world can profit to some extend from the advice given on this forum.

Sincerely,
eragon
eragon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2015, 09:51   #1884
Punisher1
Asset
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fort Bliss
Posts: 1
Good Morning/Afternoon,

Been in the army 12 years now, been a part of this site since 2010 just lurking an listening. Currently working on my packet an wanting to transfer to the NG. Just looking to ask a few questions.
Punisher1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2015, 21:15   #1885
icarius
Asset
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: JBLM
Posts: 1
Introduction

25 Years old, 11A, BS in international Business concentrating on Supply Chain Management and a minor in East Asian Studies.
Branched Military Intelligence detailed to Infantry.
Currently Rifle PL in an SBCT on JBLM, PL time will be complete in a few months.
Schools - Ranger, IBOLC, Stryker Leader's Course.
Language - Chinese Mandarin R1+/L2+ (test date MAR13, proficiency no longer at that level, never tested speaking but was consistent with my listening ability.)

Time abroad: 14 mos in China, mostly Beijing - Studying International Supply Chain at Peking University and volunteering as an English teacher. My Mandarin was proficient enough to learn the language using only Chinese, however my ability has greatly degraded since I returned home (August 2012). I chose to volunteer as an English teacher instead of working for a large international coorporation because it provided me a better opportunity to develop my Chinese and also gave me a fantastic understanding of Chinese education, learning and culture. I volunteered at a migrant school. This means that my students came from every corner of China and were from one of the poorest demographics. I chose this because it allowed me an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture in a way that I can honestly say no other 11A in the US Army has and an understanding of just how diverse China is as a country, not only cultrally, but also from an social and economic standpoint. I am also really really good at ordering Chinese food.


I have been on this site for many years now, reading and figuring out my path. Will be putting my packet in early next year. Still focused on my time as an Infantry Officer but starting to get to the point where I need to begin on what's hopefully to come. I have wanted to be an 18A since I was in high school. My choice of education and branch were made to hopefully set me up for SF. Other possible options for my future include, but are obviously not my first choice, Civial Affairs or continue to branch MI and sepcialize in HUMINT. In the long term I hope to one day become a FAO or make the leap to another organization. Looking forward to learning more from this forum.


-Icarius
icarius is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2015, 22:40   #1886
JGC2
Quiet Professional
 
JGC2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FTCKY
Posts: 169
Introduction

Hello gentlemen. After a few years of browsing, I owe you an intro. I'm a current 180A (former 18D) and all my time has been in 5th. I'm married with a couple miniature Legionnaires of my own. I enjoy this place because of the Quiet Professionals who run and visit the site and because I can always trust the ground truth they give. De Oppresso Liber.
JGC2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2015, 13:19   #1887
JJ2121
Quiet Professional
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Fayetteville area/ Lima Peru
Posts: 1
Introduction

Hello,
I go by JJ. I'm 30 years old and former mil. Currently working as contractor mainly on East coast and spend my non working time at the house in South America. I just was turned onto this site by a few colleagues and look forward to learning more through the forum in the future.
JJ2121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2015, 22:07   #1888
Inthewoodline
Asset
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 1
Intro

QP's,

Grew up in the Pacific NW, playing contact sports, doing metal fabrication and turning wrenches while the odds were not in my favor.

Came in at 17 as an 89B(Ammo Specialist, the guy who could either says your brass isn't sorted enough or trades you a pallet of 7,62 and a few LAW rockets for a case of Rip-Its and Myoplex's) to get my foot in the door, but originally wanted 89D and was not eligible upon initial entry. It was not hard to remember every day that 89B in a support company was only a stepping stone in my career.

After three years TIS including 9 months in AFG(2012-2013) getting my feet wet with full scale demo and later a few CONUS demo classes taught by a local group team, I decided it was time to move up. This gave me an adequate window to reevaluate EOD, and began researching and training for SFAS.

I also think this time in a conventional support unit was beneficial time to mature, and learn a bit about the Army before I jumped in deep.

Met a guy who was also training up, and he introduced me to the forums; he warned me to make a proper intro if I didn't plan to find my rucksack in the hallway, but decided to lurk for many months before I considered taking anyones time with my questions, and here I am now.

Worked my a$$ off getting ready, went to 07-15 and got selected(18C), and hope to go to 1st SWG one day. Met some great men in selection, and only got one blister. The relief was very short lived, as I know selection was 'just the tip'. I spend my days training up hard, while finishing out my time here at JBLM, the right way.

Any questions, feel free to contact me. Thanks for taking the time to maintain and contribute to these forums, QP's. They're certainly helpful, and I am appreciative having an opportunity to be here.


Humbly,
inthewoodline
__________________
“Take special precautions with individuals of advanced age that you encounter doing activities or a profession were you usually die young.” -Ed’s Manifesto
Inthewoodline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2015, 14:33   #1889
abushakra
Asset
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Where ever I may roam
Posts: 2
Intro

Hey ya'll,
Spent a few great years as an 18E in 20th. Recently followed my heart and changed my MOS. Long time lerker. Lots of knowledge and great insight from experienced guys around here. Lately the situations in Iraq and Syria have intrigued my interest so I like seeing what others are talking about and their opinions on current events.

And for exposed poser drama.
abushakra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2015, 22:24   #1890
Byrd
Asset
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11
Hello, my name is David. I am currently a high school senior living in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. My father is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and my mother is a teacher. After I complete high school, I plan on enrolling in college to pursue an undergraduate degree in either English or Philosophy or enlisting after working for a year or so. I have always been fascinated by the military, and would like to serve my country by enlisting. Even if I do attend college, I would still like to enlist after completing my undergraduate degree, whether it be 18X or some other contract option.

In my later (later, later) years, I would like to teach at a high school or undergraduate level. I firmly believe teachers are incredibly large influences on younger minds and can shape and mold the future citizens of the United States.

I would like to thank everyone on this site who contribute to helping aspiring Quiet Professionals such as myself complete their goal, whether that be through words of encouragement or realistic advice.

Thank you all for serving and for the sacrifices you have made.
Byrd is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:15.



Copyright 2004-2022 by Professional Soldiers ®
Site Designed, Maintained, & Hosted by Hilliker Technologies