ODA driver designation - Page 2

ZonieDiver · 08-26-2009, 14:03

Quote:

Oh one quick note, had they allowed me an Option 40 six years ago I would have taken it. They would not guarantee me at the time that option as it was not available.

This diatribe is not directly specifically at you, Speedgod. It is just that the comment quoted above hit me in the wrong way, at the start of what is shaping up to be a bad day - so pardon me if you think this harsh.

I tire of comments such as the above, which actually say, "I'd volunteer to help my country when it is in a jam IF I can get exactly what I want. If not, my country can go pound sand."

It is for this type of reasoning that I sometimes wish for the return of the draft - modified to meet today's needs - but still a draft. Too many just don't get it. It IS NOT about YOU! This board is filled with men and women who stepped up. Some of the older ones did it when drafted, or under draft-pressure... but they stepped up.

It seems there are a lot of young guys seeking 18X who want this and that. The privilege of wearing the Green Beret and serving with the best this country has to offer isn't enough? The challenge of going into difficult situations, performing near-impossible tasks, risking all, and knowing you gave your all isn't sufficient?

Hell, I was thrilled just to be able to be assigned to a team! The only license my TS would let me have then was a "Lawn Mower License" - for I was the FNG! He let me be the demonstrator for the "Body Rappel" until the next FNG showed up (never did). But - I got to run with the "Big Dogs" and for that I am, and always will be, forever grateful - and proud. Step up. It doesn't hurt... much!

**The Reaper** · 08-26-2009, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardRoad

I'm not sure I agree with that - our senior 18B was 42 when he graduated SFQC, and he's physically and tactically one of the top performers on the team. He was 45 when he earned the BSMV in Iraq.

Are you starting behind the power curve at 36? Sure. Are you as likely to make it through training as a 25 year old? Probably not. Are you going to spend 20 years on an ODA starting at 36? Very unlikely. Are you more likely to seriously hurt yourself than a twenty something? Well, yes.

But the outcome is more likely to be a matter of the individual than the age, and frankly, I like having some "old guys" on the team - they have to work harder and be a lot smarter at staying physically prepared, but they usually bring a little maturity and judgment, and often some life skills beyond the military, to the team.

my .02 dinars . . .

The Guard is a different animal.

TR

Dozer523 · 08-26-2009, 15:30

Getting back to the subject of "Who gets to drive" I'm reminded of a favorite story. It's funny, but it's not a joke.
A "pick-em-up truck" is driving down a dirt road. . . way out in the Texas Hill Country. There are three guys in the truck.
Which one is the Real Cowboy?
The one in the middle.
He don't have to drive;
and he don't have to mess with the gate.

Surgicalcric · 08-26-2009, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

The Guard is a different animal.

TR

Indeed it is.

But we are holding out hope that one day our AD brothers will come around...

Crip

Speedgod · 08-26-2009, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

This diatribe is not directly specifically at you, Speedgod. It is just that the comment quoted above hit me in the wrong way, at the start of what is shaping up to be a bad day - so pardon me if you think this harsh.

I tire of comments such as the above, which actually say, "I'd volunteer to help my country when it is in a jam IF I can get exactly what I want. If not, my country can go pound sand."

It is for this type of reasoning that I sometimes wish for the return of the draft - modified to meet today's needs - but still a draft. Too many just don't get it. It IS NOT about YOU! This board is filled with men and women who stepped up. Some of the older ones did it when drafted, or under draft-pressure... but they stepped up.

It seems there are a lot of young guys seeking 18X who want this and that. The privilege of wearing the Green Beret and serving with the best this country has to offer isn't enough? The challenge of going into difficult situations, performing near-impossible tasks, risking all, and knowing you gave your all isn't sufficient?

Hell, I was thrilled just to be able to be assigned to a team! The only license my TS would let me have then was a "Lawn Mower License" - for I was the FNG! He let me be the demonstrator for the "Body Rappel" until the next FNG showed up (never did). But - I got to run with the "Big Dogs" and for that I am, and always will be, forever grateful - and proud. Step up. It doesn't hurt... much!

Sir Zoniediver, Thank You.

I understand what you say. However, and please don't take this wrongly. It is going to be my job. Much like getting a job any where and since this is the case I want what is right for me. Perhaps looking back I should have joined up and taken the basic and jump school. I did not know much at this point six years ago about SF, but I could have applied for RIP after enlisting. The time is here and now and I want to go 18X.

I was told by my Recruiter that his CO said it was no problem with an age waiver for SF as long as the physical checks out.

I can't thank you all enough for all the responses. I take it all in stride and will not let it deter me from the path I choose. When I want something I will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

My wife is very supportive and is pushing me even harder. Maybe she wants me gone.

Nah, she is a great wife and deserves better than me.

I have looked at this from every angle and this is what I want. I understand the concerns of age and I know I wont be in a ODA for 20 years maybe even 5-10. But this is me and what I need to do. After that time I would like to try and become an SF Instructor also.

I will pick up those books and post my responses here when I am done.

Thank you again.

SF_BHT · 08-26-2009, 16:23

If you think you are up to it and can do the job Go for it. I have had a few Older guys come out of the Q Course and they all did great. The problem in the past was the Older Active Duty guys were high in rank and did not have enough time to learn all the things that 4-5 years as a younger NCO would have let them.

Only one was a bad TS and he was not Bad Bad he just needed a little help from his SR NCO's and he would not take advice easily. If you are going to come off the block you will have time to learn IF YOU MAKE IT to a team.

Good Luck with your Quest for your dream........... Remember there is a high failure rate so be ready physically/mentally/emotionally and Family wise. Your Wife mad and upset and nagging is a real mental block and could cause you to not perform as you could.

Sonic03svtCobra · 08-26-2009, 16:28

Speaking of the age issue, I had a 47 year old 18E graduate in my class.
but he was from 19th group.

Surgicalcric · 08-26-2009, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedgod

...Much like getting a job any where and since this is the case I want what is right for me. Perhaps looking back I should have joined up and taken the basic and jump school. I did not know much at this point six years ago about SF, but I could have applied for RIP after enlisting. The time is here and now and I want to go 18X.

I was told by my Recruiter that his CO said it was no problem with an age waiver for SF as long as the physical checks out.

No it isnt the case; this isn't like any other job. The sooner you get that idea out of your head the better off you will be. As matter of fact it isn't like any other job I can imagine. In most civilian jobs your ability to perform affects you and your career; here it affects the lives of everyone else on the team first and you and your career comes last.

Secondly, have you given thought to being an Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne, or 2nd ID in Korea (where you family cannot accompany you?) I ask because if for whatever reason you don't make it to/thru the SFQC that's two of the places you could find yourself.

As for the age waiver thing, I have heard that from other over 30 y/o 18X candidates. I have yet to see one.

Just more to think about. And as was pointed out earlier, I would read every thread here that pertains to SF, age, and family.

Best of luck in your decision

kgoerz · 08-26-2009, 17:03

When we were going thru the Q-Course in 1983 off the street. We had all kinds of older guys. Some were ex Lawyers, Doctors and business big shots. They were just dropping their former life's and starting over. Probably a few running from Ex Wives..... But they did good and the mix of their life experience with our young no experience worked out pretty good.

**18C4V** · 08-26-2009, 17:37

Drivers are picked by their ability to drive (day, night, under NODS, under stressful conditions), hence the best driver is the lead driver (regardless of what driving courses they been to). On my team, the drivers are usually the advisors and when their company is not on mission cycle, then they drive and gun.

Last trip, I rotated between lead leader driver/gunner/TA and doing my 18C job.

Mike · 08-26-2009, 18:40

Lemme get this right.

They ISSUE vehicles to SF?
You don't got to steal them?

I'm getting old.

**18C4V** · 08-26-2009, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

Lemme get this right.

They ISSUE vehicles to SF?
You don't got to steal them?

I'm getting old.

Lol,
last time I wore a ruck was on a JCET in 2006 in Thailand. Nowadays it's either drive or fly with a little walking.

Richard · 08-26-2009, 19:06

Quote:

Lemme get this right. They ISSUE vehicles to SF? You don't got to steal them? I'm getting old.

Me, too. What's the fun in having them issued and then having to do all that daily PMCS and record keeping stuff instead of visiting an AFB or a TRASHCOM area and just sort of clandestinely borrowing vehicles when you needed one?

Quote:

...Much like getting a job any where and since this is the case I want what is right for me.

This statement bothers me as you have no idea what is right for you regarding SF - and that is not the crux of the matter - what is important is that the 800 pound SFTG gorilla awaiting you if you do become a volunteer and get that far is - I guarantee you - asking himself whether or not you are right for SF.

Richard's $.02

Speedgod · 08-26-2009, 19:57

I want to say thank you to all the QP's for their comments. Bottom line is the recruiter is coming by my business to begin my enrolment. I will give it my all and hold nothing back. Perhaps I will see some of you and laugh about it. Either way I will be there at SFAS. If anyone has any other thoughts please feel free to send a pm.
Thank you!

Edited my slopping type in this post.

SF_BHT · 08-26-2009, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedgod

I want to say thank you to all the QP's for their comments. Bottom line is the recruiter is coming by my business to begin me enrolment. I will give it my all and bold nothing back. Perhaps I will see some of you and laugh about. Either way I will be there at SFAS. If anyone has any other thoughts please feel free to send a pm.
Thank you!

Spell-check and gramer

....Attention to detail will kill you in this job... Be safe and good luck........