Selected SFAS class 09-12 (June of '12), with 5/19 SFG in Colorado. Resident of Boulder, CO. Hopefully knocking out Airborne soon and in the Q by the fall.

Decided to go SOF midway through law school, initially focused on SEALs but shifted to SF based largely on their mission set (more adept for long term solutions, IMO).

Been climbing at a pretty elite level for the last few years, do some gear testing, so if anyone has any outdoor gear type questions I would say I'm a well qualified "expert." I'm also Crossfit Endurance coach, but my 'coaching' has mostly been utilized only for my own programming and training (both for alpine climbing and for SFAS). Nonetheless I'd say I know what I'm talking about when it comes to training queries.

Happy to field questions of any type; as I too was once (perhaps still am!) a hopeful with a sophomoric understanding of the military in general and SF in particular.

Hey everyone, I am 19 years old and finishing up my Associates Degree in May (2013). I have job offers already from people I have made connections with but I don’t really know if the whole 9-5 thing is how I want to spend my life. I have always thought about joining the military and maybe even making it to the elite rank of SF’s. When I saw this site and seen a lot of you currently are or were SF’s I figured it would be a perfect place to learn. I’ll try my best not to make stupid threads and read more then I write.

I would also like to say I really appreciate what you all are doing or did for this country; you are the closest thing I have ever had to an idol.

Intro
 

Hello to all....First I would like to thank all for their past and present service. I would also like to thank the site for allowing civilians like me to look at and join such a fantastic site. I have been in Law Enforcement for 27 years, SWAT for 15 years as a team leader and presently command my team of 25 operators. My son is currently in the "Q" course, 18C-French (Selected Class 08-11). He will be starting Robin Sage in July. Not knowing what to expect I was drawn to this site to learn all about what he would be doing in this adventure he has chosen. Of course I'm a very proud dad. Thanks again.

I'm new to this site also but not to the Army or elite units. Okay. I know reserve SF "don't count", but my advice to a new soldier like you would be to enlist for the Rangers and then see what it's all about. That'll test your mettle and let you see if the Army and ultimately SF is for you. Almost all SF guys I know that didn't go to Ranger School early in their careers wish thet had gone if for no other reason than that it provides a good solid infantry background upon which to build a career. With some college and a hitch in the Rangers you could then go OCS and SFOC. Just my 2 cents. Good luck - keep your feet and knees together and act like Jello!

This is the Introductions forum - if you wanna play career counselor, do it by PM or in the appropriate forum in the future. Richard

edit- seen what was said on the previous post by mod

I am currently serving with Support Company, 3/20 SFG(A) as an Additional Duty Officer. I have 4 years in the Army with 2 deployments to Afghanistan, one with 3/20 and another as an augmentee to 3/3. I graduated Drexel University in 2008 with a BA in Political Science and work civilian side as a contractor. I am on this site to stay current with news about the Special Forces community and to gain knowledge about the organization. I am reposting my intro as the old thread appears to have been archived or deleted.

Hey all, I just wanted to say thank you to all the QPs for their service, advice, and wisdom. I've been lurking for quite sometime, and will continue to after this. I'm currently serving in the Reserve and have a deployment to Afghanistan under my belt. I've been considering a jump to the guard to continue my service in the near future. Now back to lurking... :munchin

Im currently serving in the 19th SFG A GSC, and im working on a mechanical engineering degree at Utah state university. My lifelong goal is to become the kind of Soldier that a team needs. I hope to learn all I can from this board. Thanks for the sacrifice that has gone into this great resource.

Intro
 

I'm a former 18C with 1-1 SFG and later with2-10 SFG. In my life following retirement after 21 years of service, I went on to contracting in Afghanistan. I'm currently the Detail Lead in Kabul.

Intro
 

Hey. I'm 24 years old and I'm thinking seriously about trying for SF in the next year. I'm currently a civilian and have a physics background but I'm thinking the military lifestyle might be a better choice for me.

Introduction
 

Currently an 18 Bravo with 2/20th

Intro
 

My name is Adam, I am 27 from California, and I am an 18x SF Recruit. I am due to ship in late Sept. for OSUT at Ft. Benning. I am here to get as much knowlege as possible to give my self every advantage I can during Preparation and SFAS.
Thank you all for your time.

hi All,

I am a former Pershing Rifles member in college - and I admire all the members of the US Special Forces past and present.

I felt my duty as a son was to obey my fathers orders and join him in his business and not pursue my own goals which were to be in the military - lo and behold my father decided after 30 years of marriage to divorce my mom and marry a young girl and has now disapeared - now i feel all the discipline and duty and respect I paid him by sacrificing my goals (US ARMY) to be a filial son were useless and I gave up something i can never get back...time.

To be Honest - all my real friends everyone I consider more than an acquaintances - are in the military - everyone else is fine, bt they are not the same spirit.

You must ship prior to 30yr old to be eligible for 18x program, I turn 30 soon so I will not be able to, but I wish all of you future candidates the best of luck.

My favorite thing I have read recently is Roosevelt's "The Strenous Life" - he was a man of honor.

This is a link to the ruck march i went on for fun on sunday (i am not jim briggs - he posted the link)

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip....bab4d77c739aaf

Great to be here - thank you for having me

Charlie Mike - Happy 4th - Im proud to be from and life in a country where Men like you serve!

Intro
 

Hello All, I am Paul, A 29 yr old Prior service Coastguardsman and former security professional in Iraq and Afghanistan. I signed the dotted line last week and am due to ship in late Sept under an 18x option. Just here trying to soak up as much info as I can before shipping. Thanks.

Intro
 

Hello everyone,

Been lurking here for a long time but thought I would finally introduce myself and make my presence known. Former Navy guy turned SF (18E). Was with 19th SFG(A) for a short while, just came on to active duty and headed to 5th SFG(A). Looking forward to being on an active duty team and soaking up as much knowledge as I can and getting in the mix.

Cheers,
LT DD

I am an 18B who raped this site for info to complete SFQC. Thank you to the QP's who give their advice so freely.

Hello
 

Hi all, I have been at 5th Group since 06 and was in 2nd ID out of Lewis before that. I started out 11c, and went 18c in SF. I recently had a hip resurfacing surgery and was told I could no longer fall from planes. So my military career has been cut short, so I will have to find some good civilian work. I have friends who have been members of this forum for years so I figured this would be a good way to stay in touch with my brothers. Lots of good reading, thanks for the great site.

Hello
 

Hello, My name is Matt. I currently serve as a LEO in Ohio but have been with the OHARNG for 8 years. Long time reader of these forums and have used ALOT of info to help my section and my unit. I appreciate all the work you do as the info here has helped prepare one of my soldiers for SFAS more than anything else he has used.

Greetings all
 

Greetings all,

First, I am aware my username is improperly spelled and I assure you I am doing PT as we speak. Damn dusty MWR keyboards.

I am a 68w in the reserves and am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I have occupied my time doing route clearance and aid station work. Back in the rear, I am studying biology at uconn. I just completed 13 months of paramedic school but was unable to take the national registry test due to the deployment; took my final the night before we left.

I enjoy learning from this forum and would like to thank all who have contributed and served our great nation.

Thank you for your time.

Brandon.

Hello,
Current 2/75 Ranger. With the war in Afghanistan winding down I've been wondering if I might want to try my hand at something new. Love my current job, but looking at all different possibilities for the future, and this might be one of them.

Thanks for maintaining the site.

Hello gentleman,

My name is Chris, I'm 27 years old and I'm hoping to enlist with an 18X contract within the next year. I'm finishing up my BA and focusing on physical conditioning. I'd like to thank you all for your service, and I look forward to contributing to this community.

C.S

Greetings all,

I'm currently in the 18x pipeline in Airborne School (jump week starts Monday). I originally entered as an 11B but switched to 18x during OSUT. Using the downtime we have here at Airborne to workout and research everything I can before SOPC and SFAS.

Thanks in advance for any and all help. This site seems to have a wealth of information, so for now I'll keep my mouth shut and start reading/searching.

Have a good day,

ugaDawg

Hello all,

I was on this forum many years ago looking for advice.. I think my account has been deleted since.

I am currently a fire team leader in Afghanistan (11B) in a light infantry unit. I am airborne qualified. The first half of this deployment was mostly HVT hunting via Air Assault, and now we are holding it down in a COP. I had the opportunity to do several joint missions with 10th group, and learned alot from the experience.

I have also attended a Gunsite pistol/carbine course, a course taught by a few quiet professionals (pistol carbine) and the AWG 2 week course.

I am coming up to the end of the deployment, and the end of my contract infact. I came back to the forum looking for advice on PT. I am considering re-enlisting, but only if ranger/sf is a viable possibility for me. Running has always held me back, and while im OK at it, not near the level i need to be.

The plan is to give the pre-SFAS PT plan a shot, and maybe incorperate a half marathon/10K running plan into it, to see if I can get up to snuff.. and If I feel I have a shot, Ill re-up for SF or Ranger.

I hope (I know) I can learn a lot from you guys here, as I have from QPs during this deployment. I also hope Ill be able to contribute with my combat experience so far, but I will remain humble as a guest in the QPs domain.

Just a quick little introduction. I'm a cop in SW Colorado and been at it a few years. I discovered an article in local paper which after posted on another site ended up here. I likely won't be posting much if ever, but in case I ever do I needed to get the intro done.

Intro
 

I spent six years with the AZARNG and recently got out. I did 3 years with a line company and 3 with the scout/sniper platoon. I am of course getting the itch again and want something more this time around should I re-enlist. I just finished my Bachelors so now have no excuse not to go. I am here to gain as much knowledge as possible and hopefully make some contacts with individuals from 19th group.

Chris

I'm a 25-year-old SGT with about 3.5 years TIS, currently assigned to HHC, USAG, Fort Irwin. I returned from Iraq about a year ago with 4th BDE, 3ID. My wife and I have been married for six years. She's the best wife ever and does an excellent job with the house and kids so I don't worry while I'm away.

Thanks for all the time you guys put into this site to disseminate helpful information. I'm about halfway through reading Get Selected! and I'm already so very thankful that I was directed into finding it from this forum.

I will be attending SFAS in October. This has been a goal that started about 8 years ago, got pushed to the back burner for a couple years, and is finally coming to fruition.

Top preference is 18C and 7th. We'll see what happens.

Hi Gents,

Paying my respects. I was a Marine NCO/Advisor in Vietnam attached to ARVN Regional Force infantry. I was WIA evac 16 days prior to rotation. Eventually returned to duty with rifle companies stateside, serving at Lejeune, GITMO and the USN Amphib Base, Little Creek VA. I also went through the SF's Jungle Warfare Course at Ft Sherman, Panama and later served 6 years with the NCANG.

I'm a proud member of COUNTERPARTS, an association of former US Military Advisors to South Vietnam, and became a fan of SF in grade school, around the time your teams first started deploying to RVN. Thank you for your devotion to your country and your profession, and thank you for allowing me a be a guest on your site.

Sam

I should write a book.
 

Greetings. Some of my military history involves about 10 years of active duty (Army), with over 20 years of ARNG/USAR. That includes over 10 years of enlisted time, and 20 years of commissioned time. My first deployment was to Thailand (1966). The first time I worked with a former SF soldier was when I was attached to a helicopter medevac detachment at Ft. Ord. He was our Det. Sgt. (He was medically released from SF because of the secondary effects from wounds received in Viet Nam, but could still perform quite well as a "leg." He retired as a 1SG.) While I was in the Retired Reserve, DA requested retirees to volunteer for AD recall. So, in the midst of a number of personnel admin. befuddlements, I got to spend 5 months at Ft. Bragg before I deployed to Iraq for 3 months, in Civil Affairs. And that's the short story...

Current NC State Trooper. Four year business degree before joining the Patrol. I enjoy my job but am thinking about doing something more. I have a buddy that is currently with the 19th and am considering joining the NG in an attempt to move in that direction. I've been lurking for awhile, and hope to gain as much knowledge as possible before making any decisions.

Itroduction
 

Afternoon all,

I'm currently a E5 serving with a USAR OCT BN as a 11B30. My recent deployments have been as a Infantry Team & Squad leader for OIF 2006,2007,2008 & 2009. Also a Balikattan PI mission in 2005. My previous DMOS was 35L in the HUMIT/CI world. My ETS is approaching soon and I will be attending a SFRE this NOV. Thank you in advance gentlemen for any direction and guidance you could pass along. V/r, Tom Fields

I'm a 27 year old Nuclear Security Officer and Reserve Sherrif's Deputy and I'm looking in to getting a REP-63 contract with the 20th SFG. Starting on maxing the APFT, ordered my copy of "Get Selected", and got my info packet from 20th Group. I've also read quite a bit of the SFAS board a few times over now.

I'm presently working with the recruiter A/20/20th suggested but it's an uphill battle with my medical history.

Hi everyone,

My name is Adam P. I am twenty six years old. I was in the in the 1-188th ADA in the North Dakota National Guard for 8 years. I have deployed to both Afghanistan (2006-2007) and Kosovo (2009-2010). I got out of the Guard so I could finish my degree in Aviation Maintenance with a UAS side degree. I plan on going to gunsmith school immediately after completing the maintenance school and I intend to get back in the Guard once I have completed gunsmithing, or maybe during possibly. Ever since I was young (and especially after being attached to ODA 375 in Afghanistan at FOB Shkin - now Lilly i believe) I have always wanted to go SF, seems like a bug I caught that won't go away. I have done research and read books ever since Afghanistan but it never seems to be enough information. Not that I haven't found what I wanted but because I seem to never be able to quench this thirst I have. I love reading the threads on here and I find most of them very informative and some entertaining... Except for those fuckn' idiots who don't do their homework and ask about something that someone has already written about in the past threads. I can't stand that shit so I can assure you that I will not do. I will stay in my lane and I won't pretend to know about something that I have no clue about. I love guns, hunting, fishing so I am open to any advice or knowledge in any of those areas.

Thank you for allowing me to be apart of this website. Also, thank you to those of you who are still serving irregardless of MOS or branch.

Pribs

I recenty enlisted with an 18X contract set to ship 20130311. I played the usual sports growing up - baseball and football with some golf strewn in. I went to college after high school and graduated with a BBA - Management in 2010. While in college, I found mma and fought at the amateur level. After graduation, I moved back home to work. A Crossfit gym had recently opened and I joined to fill the gap of my recently left behind mma training. The gym is owned by retired Veterans and is run by current or retired military and first responders. Getting to know these people really opened my eyes to who I wanted to be in this world. I see how they carry themselves and the standards they hold themselves to and it seems to be the void I have been trying to fill my whole life. I was always fascinated by the military, grew up in a miltary town, and had a retired Army grandfather, but it never really clicked for me until I got to know these people for myself. Once the fire was set, I researched every branch, fell in love with the Army, and then decided to narrow my scope of intention. The list became two with SF and Ranger. While I appreciate the Ranger Regiment and all they do, I really enjoy the teaching aspect of the SF ODA. They fight, but they fight for change through knowledge as well. I realize I have a long arduous road ahead, but it is one I welcome. If everything in life was easy then what would be the point of living. Thank you for this site and all it encompasses.

Hi PS,

I been in the Army NG since 99 when I enlisted into a light artillery battery. I have stayed around artillery my entire career, deployed to Iraq 04-05 at PB volunteer in baghdad where I conducted security for the Iraqi police graduations/QRF, convoy security and was part of our 24H route patrol.

Came back and got a job AGR as a Logistics NCO and have been trying to go back to the line ever since.

I have always liked shooting and the tactical aspect of shooting, I have attended a few Combat competitions and shot for my state team. I just graduated SDM in Arkansas with the National Guard.

I been reading a lot on this website since my join date and like most of the information that I find other than some immature non QPS.

Hello and Thank You
 

Hello, my name is Steve and am currently in the US Army as a 12B (Combat Engineer). I am 24 years old and have been enlisted now for a little over two years in a Route Clearance Company. I have supported and been supported by your brothers overseas and am motivated by this community. I won't be posting as there is already an enormous wealth of knowledge here. I'll be researching an potentially dropping a packet in the future. Thank you for keeping a resource like this available.

Steve

23 year old currently serving active duty in the Air Force. I'm looking to go blue to green with an 18x contract. The AF is not for me, entirely different than I originally thought it to be. Especially making the decision to go in with an "Open General" contract and getting 3M0X1 (Services). I want to serve with the best, and don't want anything more than I want this opportunity. Thanks to those who serve, who have served and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

hello
 

Hello. Just wanted to say thank you to all the QP for your sevice. I joined this forum to hopefully glean some practical wisdom from your experiences and learn some things that could be put to use in practical everyday life.
Thanks again.

Hi, I'm Ruben N. and I'm a 50 year old civil engineer from Asuncion, Paraguay. I don't have any military background or training, but I'm an avid shooter and small arms student. I like to keep an eye on small arms development, military and LE use, ballistics, etc.

I've been lucky to correspond with many very knowledgeable people around the world discussing these topics, specially precision long range shooting/ballistics, learned a lot and I've contributed too. Thanks for letting me join here to learn more.

Best wishes to you all from your friend down south :)

Introduction
 

Graduated from the Airborne and Ranger school in 1970, was in VN from Jun 70 to Jan 72, assigned to 2Bn 12 Cav and then 1Bn 12 Cav. Graduated from SFOC in 1972 and was sent to NATO Support Activity in Brussels, left active duty Sep 73 and spent the rest my time in the NG. (2Bn 134IN and 1Bn 635AR)

Hello.

I am a twenty-three year-old graduate of DePauw University with a double major in Classical Civilizations and Ancient Greek language. I have an 18X contract and I am set to ship this fall.