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Originally Posted by Vojnik
The question regards O's (uh, me) who are non-selects because of SARS, and/or potentially psych. If I reattend SFAS down the road as an EM/NCO instead of as an O, will the board view this in a negative light?
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Well I really do not know how to answer your question other than with an observation. If you were non-select because of SARS/psych it makes no difference whether or not you are an officer or an NCO.
As far as attending SFAS and succeeding as an NCO vice an officer, you do realize that SF NCOs fill roles often exceeding their US grade structure and have served as Brigade advisors and above. They have also "run" and "strongly influenced" nations. They are not just outstanding soldiers, but exceptional leaders, managers, practitioners of unique skill sets, and teachers beyond peer. While I cannot speak for the board that will consider your success or failure for selection, it would not make a whole lot of difference to me whether you were an officer or not if you did not have the potential to be first and foremost a Special Forces Soldier. While we may hold officers to a higher standard, it was my personal philosophy that we did so because the soldiers for whom they were to assume responsibility deserved none but the very best when it came to the leadership that was to support them. It used to be that the playing field, when it came to the selection process for SFAS, was pretty even and it did not make much difference whether or not you were an officer or an NCO, save those traits that would make you a liability as an officer in SF or any other branch. The reason being that the leadership responsibilities of the NCO and Officer in SF are not distinct when folks are away from the flag pole.