What 18D ISN'T...
 

I ran into a young SPC today at Waller Hall during my outprocessing from Ft. Lewis. After seeing my uniform, he (the E-4) looked at me (the CPT) and said:
"Yo man-I'm goin Special Forces too-on my way to jump school and the Q course right now".
"Really?", I mused..."Congradualtions on passing SFAS. Tell me, how far do you think you are going to get addressing folks senior to you by saying "Yo Man""?
He stared at me rather blankly...like my dog does when he doesn't understand what I am telling him what to do and he cocks his head to one side...
"Sir?" he says totally confused..."but I'm going to be SF-we're all on the same team...there is no rank structure in SF...everyone is equal, all the same:confused: "
I explained to him that his perception wasn't quite on track. What was somewhat amazing were his OTHER perceptions regarding his slotted profession...18D.
From his account, he was told these things at SFAS by various cadre. Please allow me to clear them a bit, as many of them have to do with a transition to PA school or other medical specialty.

1. After 18D, he was gauranteed selction to PA school.-FALSE
2. If he so desired within 2 years of graduation from the 18D course-he was authorized to CHALLENGE the National PA certification exam and didn't have to even go to PA school. FALSE
3. 18 Active Duty 18D's are gauranteed slots in PA school every year. FALSE
4. 18D graduates need only 2 years of additional training to become a Veterinarian FALSE
5. 18D grads can work in any hospital in the United States in the capacity of an RN or PA based on their 18D credentials FALSE

There were more, but he was most adamant with these issues, even had them writtne in his little notebook that he brought out of his bag to argue his points.

Guys, if you want to be a PA, Nurse, or a Vet...go to school for those things. If you want to be an SF Medical Provider-attend the training, learn good things so you can do GREAT things.

Want to be an 18D? Then BE the best 18D that ever threw a stitch, floated teeth, or rolled the bones.

Eagle

Eagle5US,
I ran into an identical young man today and he had the exact same ideas. I explained the prereqs for PA school and the application process. I directed him here to research and your post should set him straight.

I can't even imagine what would have happened if a troop had ever addressed The Reaper as "Yo man" in front of us.

I hate that Boat Company shit.

Wish I had been there...;)

Kindler, gentler...I friggin hate it and I DON'T do it well. I know-I've been counseled on it:rolleyes:

Eagle

NDD,
That would be worthy of video.

That and when this new guy said that to Eagle5US.
Let me color in just a bit more of the picture, Eagle5US was gracious enough to let me stay at his house a few weeks ago. I notice little things that add up to thoughts like "This bubba played college football or wrestled heavyweight" but never said it out loud.

Maybe it was the new camo Eagle was wearing that took away that simplest of obvious character judgments which is the "can this guy kick my ass and how fast is it going to happen" thing.

Students
 

Bit off subject but...

When I instructed on the 18C Committee, I had a formation at the beginning of my Block of instruction and at the end. My instruction was in the middle of the course, so Students seem to get "loose" in their ways. I would look at the students Uniform, Hair, ETC. Well, I never thought of it as BS stuff, its the basic soldiering things that must if not all of us would (& should) do. I had them on Thursday or Friday, that when my block started, so it was good because on Monday I would have a Re-inspection followed by a Pop Quiz. Amazing thing was how many students just blow off the fact that there boots, uniform, hair, whatever was still soup. After I had told them to get the stuff fixed. I relieved about 5-6 Sq Ldrs mainly for them being soup. Lucky the Committee computer already had pre-done DA 4856 Counseling forms for just about everything.

The sad fact was I got some "heat" from a few of the instructors. Most came from guys that had their own problems. But, they just didn't get the whole mentorship thing?? :confused:

Just like Eagle and Croooz running into these Soldiers. I feel this is and has been the thought process with future SF soldiers. Maybe not all, but most. Just like guy coming into SF prior to GWOT, thinking SF was all "Door Kicking". Some soldiers (18X or In-service) have this idea that we are this first name no rank branch. Instructors (SFQC) and the first team drive how these "young" future QP will be. I wish more QP would put a Size Whatever in the forth point of contact when its needed.


My Rant and .02.

I'd pay real money to see this or any other instance like this.

Even if it were true, wouldn't that egalitarianism be restricted to tabbed guys? As is frequently pointed out on the SFAS board, passing Selection isn't the end of the road by any stretch.

Send him my way...
 

I can tell you for a FACT! Especially here in California...

If you want to further your career after 18D. You WILL be attending some courses...college that is!:lifter

Take care.

If you got his name, I will start a pool on his successfully completing the SFQC.

I will give odds.

I did have a civilian gate guard with long hair and a beard say "Hey Dude" to me one morning when they converted the checkpoints at Bragg. After I discovered that there were no military personnel at the checkpoint, I called the MP Desk Sergeant and reviewed his instructions to the guards reference addressing military personnel. I hoped to speak to the young man again when I came through the next morning, but for some reason, I never saw him there again.

I wish him more luck in the fast food industry, where his talents could be better utilized.

TR

Might not want to visit SWMG(A) ( JSOMT-C) then. You might have a coronary, but you would be in good hands. :D


Sir:

I think the fast food industry is where they get some of those guys.

Crip

Guys, to this day, I would never think of addressing an unknown active duty SF SNCO or O as "hey Dude". Unless it was someone I had served with and knew the guy, I wouldn't do it to any AD soldier in uniform.

I'm trying to think what any of my Det COs, Co COs, Team Daddies, or SGMs would have done to me had I walked up and addressed them in that manner, unless invited to do so in the team house, never outside the team. My Co SGM was George H. "Joe" Higgs - I would have been hamburger had I ever addressed him as Joe, and he split my time between the ODB and ODA pretty well in half. When the Scuba Team Daddy (Frankie Dooms) took over as SGM - he still allowed those of us who had been around to call him "Top", but that was a privelege outside of the Co HQ. (any names above are no longer on the active rolls, and should not constitute an OPSEC violation).

In the Co Area, Team house or IFac - things might get a little looser - inside the team, and inside the Company was different from the rest of the world. still professional, but looser. In the world we were expected to be professionals, and treat senior soldiers with the utmost respect.

That is pretty much how it was for me and within my Team. In the Teamhouse or out in the field, we could address the CO, XO and Team Daddy by thier nicknames or first names. Anywhere else it was pure Military Courtesy. That was ONLY within my Team. Only after permission to do so was given from the top down. As x-sf-med stated. I wouldn't even imagine addressing an Officer or higher ranking NCO in any other way then was taught to me in Basic. Makes me wonder what they are being taught in just Basic alone. Besides, I never use the word 'dude' ;)

I have to throw out the BS flag on this SP4's story. None of the Cadre at SFAS talk about these type of things with a student. Matter of fact, they limit their conversation with candidates on purpose.

I say this because I was at Camp Mackall with SFAS Students and never heard this type of crap mentioned by the cadre.

An 18D is not a PA. A PA can not engage the enemy. You want to kill bad guys? Go 18D. You want to have a career treating sick people? Go PA.

Let me say for the record, PA's have more training than an 18D. Let me also say 18D's are the heart and soul of a Team.

Try deploying without one.

Doc

The guy sounded profoundly stupid at worst or without any situational awareness at all at best. I have to agree with DOC and call BS.