[Surgicalcric]

While REP-63 is the NG equivalent of the AD 18X program (both allow off the street enlistment into SF) there are differences; this is one of them.

The requirement of a feeder MOS isnt a new policy. Some states require candidates to choose a feeder MOS to give the SF hopefuls a head start on some of the MOS subjects covered in the SFQC and some do not. Feeder MOS attendance also provides the state/NG an MOS other than 11B if the candidate is dropped from the pipeline for whatever reason. It makes sense looking at it from the NG side of things.

The knowledge base you will have going into the 18E course from 25U is greater then what your knowledge of patrolling and small units tactics will be after having attended 11B OSUT. The junior Echo on my ODA did the same thing and has talked about the difference it made for him in the course. That said, if you were already a commo guy in the civilian side of the house and had a greater knowledge of the subjects covered in the 25U MOS due to your civilian job/education things would be a bit different.

As for Doug's comments on finding a new recruiter, as I said earlier it may very well be the states policy on the matter and not the recruiter's. I know a couple guys have talked the recruiter/career counselor into allowing them to choose 11B instead of a direct feeder MOS, a couple of them are members here.