Intro
 

Sorry so late posting an intro.

I am and have always been a student of modern military history. I have never served and would be considered more of a "never gonna be" than a wanna be. I have a lot of friends who have served only one of which was a SF Team sargeant who has taught me quite a bit of what it actually means to be a quiet professional.

Intro
 

Hello all,

My name is Tyler and I have been lurking around the site for sometime now. I have already learned a lot and hope to soak up as much knowledge as I can before heading off to SFRE/SFAS.

I am a prior service Marine and have been training for the last few years for upcoming SFREs to hopefully start the accession process.

Lastly, I am in debt to all of you QPs for your service and I remain in awe. I hope I can squeeze every bit of info out of you guys.

Thank you for this site,
Tyler

I am a father of a 23 yr old who has a desire to join the Special Forces. I found this site, looking for information and advice regarding the job and what it takes to become an SF soldier.
We are missionaries working in the jungles of SE Asia, always off road, a lot of walking involved, carrying big loads. So it has been interesting reading the advice and questions about feet care, carrying loads, etc., as I have learned to do things from experience.

I learned about this website through my interest in knives and from the bladeforums. I'm an aircraft mechanic in the AZ national guard and currently on my second deployment in Afghanistan. Just want to express my gratitude for the job that you guys do. It is truly an honor to support and watch our special operations forces in action out here. You guys are the very definition of professionals. I look forward to learning from the vast knowledge available here and learning more about the lives of the quiet professonals.

Introduction
 

Greetings to all,
I found this site "googling" around, trying to read as much as possisble about the SF.
I am prior service, spent just a few years in the active army in the 80s, I have the privilege of representing countless Veterans in obtaining well deserved benefits from the VA as a American Legion Service Officer. While these things have proved to be very satisfying, I believe my most gratifying accomplishment has been raising a son that may soon be selected to train as a SF soldier.
My son signed a 18x contract in August 2011, as I type he is on day 19 of SFAS.
I have to say that reading these posts have filled me with peace and assurance that Jon has in fact answered his calling. If my son is going to serve in this mans army then I am thrilled that he is going to be with the caliber of men that make up the SF. Thank you QPs Rebecca

Thank you guys (especially the QP's) for wealth of information on this site. I had my MEPS physical last week and am going to need a medical waiver for some hardware on my collarbone from a high school football injury. I am currently waiting for approval on the waiver and preparing to submit an ETP letter. In the mean time, I am getting ready for geology graduate school, which begins in the Spring, in the event my medical situation doesn't work out. I hope to be a part of the brotherhood one day, but am patiently taking it step by step.

Thanks again to you all, Keep up the good work!

Dcrews

Introduction
 

Hello,
I found this site while perusing the interwebs and found it very interesting. I never served in the armed forces due to epilepsy but always wanted to. I have been lurking around the site for sometime now. Thanks.

Hello all,

My name is Steve, I'm an IT nerd and photographer who is fortunate enough to be friends with some very cool folks in the tactical industry and even more fortunate to call some true quiet professionals my friends. I do most of my work for RMJ Tactical and individual knifemakers.

I'm here to learn more about the SF community as well as gear and TTPs. I also want to see how I can use my skills to benefit charities like the Green Beret Foundation and Operation Once Voice as well as the SF community directly.

Intro
 

I grew up most my knee-high years being an army brat. My father was a Cavalry Scout for 16-17yrs. We lived all over the United States and in Germany, twice. I grew up my entire childhood listening to my father's fun and exciting stories of the military. The Army family was a close extension of my real family and played a huge role in my childhood. Every holiday, especially Christmas, our apartment / townhouse / or single-family house was full of my dad's Army buddies, who didn't have families close by to spend the holiday's with. My dad finally retired when the Army offered early retirement for E6's and E7's , which he promptly took. I was roughly 13yoa. After leaving the military, my family moved to the midwest, where my father became a police officer.

When we first moved to the midwest, I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated high school. Join the Army. I picked my high school solely on the fact that they offered an Army JROTC program. After doing two years in the JRTOC program, like all high schoolers, it was quickly replaced with the "Chasing Tail" program. I pursued this program all the way to graduation.

After graduation, I applied for an apprenticeship program through the local law enforcement station, following my father's foot steps. It was a program that taught young minds the in's-and-out's of law enforcement / police duties. Upon completion, I would be automatically placed into the subsequent recruit class. The normal wait time outside the program was two to four years just to get selected for the academy / recruit class.

After a year and half of the apprenticeship, 9/11 hit. I still remember where I was and what I was doing, when the cowards struck the towers. It was still early in the morning when I had just gotten off work. I took my uniform off in my bedroom and flipped on the boob tube as I sat down at my desk, kicked my feet up, and waited for the sandman to pay me a visit. After about twenty minutes, the live footage just came streaming in like a blown dam. After watching for a few minutes, I saw the second plane's carnage as it screamed into the remaining the tower. I quickly woke up my entire family and we all watched in absolute anger and frustration. I can honestly say that was the first day I felt all emotions hit me all at once like a pregnant woman; sadness, rage, frustration, helplessness, etc. The proper bi-product of teen hormones.

A week after 9/11, I decided I wanted... No, I needed to join the Army and fight for my country. After work, roughly 8am, I drove to the closest Army recruit station, ready to sign whatever they gave me. As soon as I reached the station doors, they were locked. Came to find out, the recruit station didn't open up till 9am. I just chuckled to myself and went home, where my mom was cooking breakfast. I told her what I wanted to do and begged her not to tell my dad. She was quiet for a while but eventually agreed. I ate breakfast, showered up, and went back to the recruit station. I spoke to the recruiter, who gave me very little information on the Army life, other then he could have me shipped to basic within the week. The recruiter pressured the hell out of me to sign a contract. The pressure hit a breaking point and I immediately became defiant. I walked out, pissed off. I went home to collect my thoughts and figured I would talk to the "old man". My dad, who was also an Army recruiter for a few years, was a straight shooter. We talked for hours about the recruiter / “recruiting process”, the great times in the Army, along with the bad times. Ultimately in the end, he didn't want me to go in and give up my young promising career in Law Enforcement. Mind you, my father was my hero and inspiration in life. I conceded and agreed.

I graduated the Academy and reported to my first assignment. After OJT, I was immediately moved to the busiest car in the area. After a year, I was recruited to a proactive unit, where I'm still currently assigned. One thing I can definitely attribute to my success is my work ethic, which I learned from my father. Other units also recognized this and at one point, I was almost kidnapped to a bigger, more-specialized unit. I developed so many friendships within my unit that I begged to stay. After several years, I was so preoccupied with work the Army dream fell to the way side. Out of sight, out of mind.

The spark started to come back around the beginning of 2011 when my brother wanted to join the Army. He was 28 and wanted to change his life. In his 20‘s, all he did was work construction and play video games. Realizing he needed a change, he spoke to a recruiter and wanted out of his norm. Due to his GED and after signing his contract, he had to wait till January of 2012, a whole year, to start basic. During his waiting period in ’11, the spark started to come back and was kind of like a small itch that would come and go. In Nov. ’11, the spark turned to a raging fire. I wanted to the join the Army but I wanted to do something exciting, memorial-able, and challenging. I spoke to my wife about my plans to join the National Guard. She all agreed. Now that I had my wife’s support, I had to figure out what I wanted to do. Earlier, my brother was looking to join the Ranger regiment so I also looked. From what I learned the Rangers conduct direct-action missions where ever they go. I thought to myself, this would definitely satisfy my appetite. Thank goodness for the internet. I spoke to an Army recruiter online and they advised it was not possible in the reserves w/no other opportunities, which left me feeling completely dejected. The recruiter explained (not really) that reserves are only there to support active service. Sometime went by and I ended up running into one of my old friends and patrol partners, who was a First Sgt in the Army. He brought up going NG SF. He also advised we had a few people within the Dept. who were in the NG SF's. So I thought this would be my chance to open the door and take a peek, sort-of-speak. After doing a bit of online research regarding, I had a chance to speak with one of the NG SF’s where I work. I would have never guessed what he did as a "Side Job". He was quiet, reserved, and in phenomenal shape. Funny thing is, we never really talked about SF or even the National Guard. But from that point on, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I've done a ton of online research, spoke to a number of Hero-On-Calls, one that put me in touch with a NG SF operator through email. The operator was absolutely, blunt, and honest, which I can appreciate. So the plan is to get an 18x contract by mid 2013. In the meantime, prepare my mind and body for the rigorous training.

Update on my brother, who is an absolute inspiration, graduated Basic and AIT with flying colors and was offered a Ranger contract. He went to Airborne and RASP, which he graduated. With a flip of a switch and complete dedication, he went from the bottom of the mountain straight to the top.

Intro
 

I am currently a contractor at Fort Polk training soldiers before they deploy, I have been on an I.E.D. cell for OpFor for two years, my wife is an engineer with the 46th EnBn here and I am a six year Navy Gulf War Vet with four of those years with NAVSPECWARGRP2, I have two cousins with SF SGA Glenn Morrell and 1st Sgt or MSG Joe Alderman of 5th Group Vietnam who earned 5 bronze stars while in country, I am just finishing a rotation as a good guy for once working with a 7th Group B team. I am also currently working on my associates degree in Counter Terrorism at AMU.

Glad to have found this site
 

I am 21 years old and am currently serving in the US Army as an Apache helicopter mechanic. I never gave SF a thought until I was deployed and noticed the SF guys at my FOB and all the great work they do and the stories i've heard from the Blackhawk crew chiefs. I'll have to wait a year or so before I can even consider going to selection. But as days go on the more I think about giving it a shot.

Greetings, I found this site about a year ago through a friend. Have been reading ever since. Currently assigned to 4/3 SFG (A) as an Intel Analyst. I have a goal of becoming an 18F.

Intro to All
 

Hello Everyone,
I'm SGT F, most call me F or F (admin edit, no names if you are active duty). I am currently in Doha, Qatar. I've been here one week out of a year tour. As you can see in my profile I am a 14H. I provide early warning to everyone around the globe, most importantly our homeland and deployed forces. As of right now I am working every spare moment I have towards completing my degree in Space Studies/Mechanical Engineering and preparing for selection. With my job I can eventually become a liason for NASA but while I'm in service that isn't what I want. I've given it plenty of thought and researched my options and it always boils down to the same thing, I need to follow my heart and be Special Forces. Everyday at work has been a challenge in many ways. Those around me are generally closeminded and have no desire to improve themselves or the Army. I am alone in absolutely everything I do. Regulations are an option in their eyes and they are all ETSing ASAP. The harder I work the more grief I catch. For example: When rucking to work one day I was called in to the office and told that my gear was not a toy and shouldn't be treated as such. It was suggested that I utilize a personal bookbag with weight to replace my ruck. So I could rant for quite a while but that isn't my goal. I have talked to the recruiters already while at Carson and have had my questions answered on what I need to do. Today I set up my PT regime using the plan listed in the SF Guidelines. While here in Qatar I will be preparing completely solo. There are SF around here as I've seen but I'm not in touch with any of them at this time. With that I will bring this to a close. Thank you for all who contribute here. I have been blessed to find this website. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Intro
 

I'm Howard. I'm 26 years old from Pennsylvania. I've been in the national guard for about 9 years. I did 2 deployments in Iraq and a few missions stateside. I've been coming to this site for a while now and thougt I'd finally start posting. Thank you to whoever started this site, it has been very helpful for me.

Welcome all!
Team Sergeant

Introduction
 

Hey everybody, my name is Holmes Baxter, and I'm from Brookhaven MS, that's pretty much it.

Hello
 

Hello, names Grant. I made an account a while back and never really used it until now and just posted a question before posting this intro to which I regret. Anyways I'm here to learn about SF and that's about it.

Hello everyone I'm SPC L. I'm 21 years old , in the reserve component, and am coming off of my first deployment. Coming into the Army I had the intention of making it my career and becoming special forces. The only problem is that I am in the reserve component since I joined under the Army's split op program which automatically puts you in the reserves. Since joining I have tried a few times to switch over to active duty but was turned down for reasons such as not being in the Army long enough, not being in the unit long enough, not being in my MOS long enough, and deployment. I have now been in the Army for nearly 5 years and my intentions have not changed.


Upon returning home from my deployment I want to switch over to active duty and pursue my dream of getting into Special Forces. I am here hoping to gain as much information as possible in regards to switching over to active duty and what it takes to make into Special Forces. I am aware that it is not an easy task switching from reserve to active duty, but I truly believe that it is still worth trying. Any advice or helpful information would be much appreciated.

Hi all,

I am a 21 year old paramedic, currently working for a small fire department in the Midwest. The advanced procedures performed by the 18D are what caught my interest in the SF career field. I am just finishing up my bachelor's degree and just signed an 18X contract. I plan on being very liberal with the search feature and very conservative with my keyboard.

Thank you,
Part-time Medic

I am 22 years of age with a BA in Computer Science from the UNCC. I am enlisting in the 18x program, and i am shipping out in June 2013

Intro
 

65-66 3rd
66-69 mike force 5th sf
70-71 10th Bad Tolz
74-94 co B 10 sfg Devens ret.

Hey guys
 

I'm 22 years old with a Bachelor's and I just enlisted today with an 18Xray contract. I'm set to ship out in Feb. and couldn't be more excited. I played basketball in college so I really like the team aspect of SF and that's definitely one of the things that has attracted me to it. I've been doing everything I can to prepare, mostly by following the doctrine laid out by Maj. Martin in Get Selected. I respect everyone serving in the military and look forward to my chance of joining the elite.

Hello
 

Hello to all the quiet professionals out there. Thanks for your service and thank you especially for taking the time to give advice on this website.

A little about myself:

I served with a reserve infantry battalion from 2006-2012 ( MOS 0311). Made it to Iraq once and Afghanistan once. Got my BA in English.

I'm good with languages. I learned a smattering of Arabic in Iraq and quite a bit of Pushtu in Afghanistan. My DLAB scores got me selected for an 8 week Pashtun immersion course prior to my deployment. Doesn't sound like much but it was a big deal for the battalion to send the few that went. I'm studying Arabic now (thank you post 9/11 GI bill).

I do not flex my nuts. Ever.

I read Maj. Martin's book and have made the commitment, mentally, to go to SFAS. I have not talked to a PS recruiter yet. I did get the green light from my better half.

There is a lot of info on this website. I'll post my questions in the designated areas. Any feedback and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

"Get Selected" strongly encourages finding a mentor to assist in prepping for SFAS. I don't live next to an Army installation that has SF assets, so my options are limited. If anyone would be willing to establish a correspondence via email, to answer questions please let me know.


thanks for all the help.

S/F

JLN

Introduction
 

I am a 30 year old father of 3. I've never served in the Military but I have been giving it thought for some time now. I am torn between leaving my wife and kids to pursue a career as a QP to better our chances of success down the road. I'd like to believe getting a job in the private sector would be easier with credentials as a QP but I don't know that to be the case. Like most Americans, we've faced financial problems over the past several years, and the money that comes with deploying would give us a better chance in the future. If anyone on this website is a QP who joined after you started a family, I would appreciate your opinion about leaving your family, so I can understand the hardships you faced or the benefits you got from it. I will continue to search the website for relevant content to answer my questions.

Thank you for the website and your service.

Hi all, I am 25 years old and currently an e4 in the USN Seabees. I discovered this site from socnet.com. I am currently awaiting for my dd368 to be approved for enlistment as 18x. Great site here lots of good information to help prepare for the road ahead. Looking forward to meeting some of you in person.


Time for some more pt.
De Oppresso Liber

CM3 Rich

intro
 

Hi everyone,

My name is SSG , I'm 26 years old and have served in the army reserves for 9 years and counting. My first 3 years were spent as an MP and then I reclassed to become an intel analyst. I've been deployed twice to Iraq, once as an MP and as MI guy. Currently working on getting my bachelors in business management, I'm about 3 semesters away from getting it. I stumbled upon this forum from researching about SFAS and also found out the friend that planted the seed in my head is a almost like a moderator. Lot of useful information on these forums. Can't wait for the SFRE in late Nov.

p.s. my name stands for gi snake eyes. What can I say I grew up watching gi joe, and snake eyes was my favorite character. Should of saw my face when I found out he wasn't asian.

GISE - "almost" like being a mod is similar to "almost" like being a virgin, Aiborne, Ranger, or SF - there is NO almost; either you are or you are not. Non-QPs are guests here. Take care and welcome to PS.Com. Richard

Introduction, Take Two...
 

Hello,

My name is Tanner...served with the 101st for a few years, decided to take a different path with my career and finished up the Q this June. Now my family and I are loving life here in Colorado Springs with 4/10. I posted an intro back when I first joined, but it seems to have gone into evasion. I'm happy to be here and looking forward to continuing the path. Take care, gents.

Introduction
 

Thank you to the creators of this site for providing a forum that allows non-military individuals with a deep respect for those who serve, prospective "assets" like myself and seasoned SF veterans to be able to converse in a truly multicultural way.
Also thank you, veterans, for your outstanding sacrifice of self and quality family time so that this country can be at its utmost.

I am a 28 year old insurance adjuster who is in the final stages of signing an 18X contract with an approximate ship date of May 2013. I have always felt a higher calling to the military despite an honestly pleasant and successful civilian life and fear that when I'm 40-50 I will look back and wonder why I didn't serve the country that has been so good to me. I am extremely excited and have already begun preparing physically and, more importantly mentally for this arduous but infinitely rewarding journey. I am engaged to a wonderfully understanding woman who has agreed to marry me only a month or so before I ship out.


Quick facts:
Ran cross country/track through high school and college
Was in lower management for a rental car company
Now have an incredible job as a catastrophe adjuster for a major insurance company.

Thank you again for the excellent info found within the boundaries of this site and I look forward to the suggestions and possible public shamings that I have already witnessed administered to those failing to follow simple instructions. :)

Introduction
 

I am a 5 year veteran of the Utah National Guard, I spent 3 of those years as a cadet under the stewardship of a ODA team leader. He was my mentor through 3 years of Ranger Challenge, in which I was able to learn more about the Army and myself. I decided to continue my career as enlisted and become a member of Special Forces.
I am in the process of getting all of my admin. paperwork done in order to challenge the REC and attend SFAS. I will not, under any circumstance, accept anything but a career as a Special Forces soldier.
I am also a father, husband, and professional MMA fighter. I spend a lot of my time outdoors; hunting, camping, hiking, anything to stay moving.
That's me in a nutshell.

Placed this intro in the correct thread - it tends to confuse a few ffolkes every now and then. Richard

Hello I'm 24 years old, been in the Army for 4 years. Got a SFAS date after finally going to the 'stan after 3 years AD. Stumbled across this site looking up antenna theory during my tour and have been reading all of the very useful advice on here ever since.

Names R.
U.S. soldier.
Just staying in the loop of what interests me.

Introduction
 

Hello everyone,

My name is Patrick. I am currently enlisted and assigned to The Old Guard performing ceremonial duties with the Continental Color Guard. I am very honored and proud of the missions I have been assigned, but now that I have put my time in, it's time to take off the clean white gloves and get my hands dirty. I have gained much knowledge about being a soldier during my time here, and my appreciation for all of you serving, and for those who have given their lives, grows more by the day. God bless you.
My sights are set on my next goal; SFAS. I believe I do have what it takes to be chosen for the SFQC and look forward to proving this in February.
After much research on this site, speaking in person with current SF team members, and researching other sources; I have learned a great deal.
I thank you all for taking the personal time to provide such an outstanding resource to men such as myself who strive to be the best at what they do.
I look forward to learning more from you all, thank you very much for having me as a guest.

-Patrick

Introduction
 

Good Evening,

I am currently a USCG-R Maritime Enforcement PO and am here to learn as much as I can before I have enough time in my current contract to get a conditional release to go AD Army and move up and on from there. Thanks to everyone here that has or is serving and maintaining a great resource for us all.

Hi,
I'm J. 22 years old. I live in Dallas, TX. I've been in the Army Reserve for 5 years. I like the military, but would prefer to serve it in a much different aspect than my current role. I'm a Biomedical Technician at a large hospital and I'm into electronics and think being a Green Beret would be the perfect way to put my skills to use. I'm discliplined, and understand that no amount of information read on a computer will prepare me for selection, or the real world as an operator, but none the less I'd like to see what I can find out beforehand. I look forward to seeing what information I can pick up on and those of you who have the tag "Quiet Professional", thanks for your knowledge.

Evening,
Enlisted in 02
MOS: 11B
Stationed: Ft Richardson; USAREC;Ft Hood
Joined this site in '09. Finally introducing myself.
-

Morning all,

Been reading this site since 07.

AD Navy O out of VA Beach. Been a fan of keeping my mouth shut and reading the Briefbacks, Area Studies, and the ever funny gems within "Your Rucksack is in the Hall." Made an account to PM a member in NC down the line.

Planning on transitioning/enlisting to NC ARNG post my Navy career in a year or so.

H

Introduction
 

Hello,

My name is CJ, I just turned 25 and am working on my Doctorate in Chemical Engineering at Upenn. I am planning on joining the Army or Air Force, I just really want to finish my degree before I enlist.

Belated Introduction
 

It appears that I never introduced myself when I joined the forum a few years back, so I'm correcting that.

I'm a (soon to be retired) Squid, living in northern Alabama and working in my civilian job as an analyst. I have worked with several Quiet Professionals throughout my career and have always enjoyed it. I appreciate the hard work that's gone into making this forum a source of useful information.

Greetings
 

I'm an Army Pilot in an Assault BN stationed here at Fort Bragg. Was interested in the SF route for several years. Chose to take another path. Wouldn't trade it for the world.
I'm here to read and learn.
-Dan

Intro
 

I'm 17 years old. Planning on doing Army ROTC in college next year. I am determined to be in SF. I am here to learn what I can from the very valuable resources on this site and most likely not post anything unless I am absolutely qualified to do so (even if as a teenager I'm supposed to know everything).

-Charlie