[Surgicalcric]

I recently turned 32 and will be leaving for Ft Benning shortly to begin training on the path to becoming an 18-Delta. I have spent the past 14 years as a firefighter/paramedic and not unlike yourself decided I did not want to look back and wonder, "what if." I enlisted in the National Guard as they offered me an option similar to the 18X program, which is not an option to individuals without prior service who are over the age of 30. I also did not wish to lose the 14 years of state FF retirement I have accumulated.

I would hardly say that you, "lack the edge of an 18 your old" because of your age. Your age will bring some maturity, hopefully, that the younger generation lacks. This is not to point out the 18-21 year olds enlisting under the 18X contract as immature, but more so less mature than I would hope you are. Yes, you will probably have more aches and pains along the way and will look back and wonder why you gave up a promising future and civilian career to be humping around in the woods and there will be many times when you will just want to give up and go home but your maturity and drive should bring you past this. You must look at it as this may very well be the only shot you may have at becoming a SF medical Sergeant and you are not letting aches, pains, and discomfort stand between you and your goal. The younger guys have the luxury of rationalizing their quitting sometimes that they can come back to SFAS at a later date because they are still young. While there are those individuals who have made it through SFAS and then SFQC in their mid-late 40's I do not want to be trying it. I am preparing my mind and my body for what is ahead and will continue to push forward until I acheive my goal. I say all that because you should not let your age stand in your way, unless of course you wait until its too late to enlist.

Since you are not eligible for the 18X enlistment option you really only have two choices in this, that I see. You can either enlist active duty Army in an MOS of your choosing, report to scheduled BCT and AIT then once with your unit you can put in your packet to go to SFAS or you can enlist into one of the NG SF units and start the training pipeline for 18-D with the Guard. You must weigh both option and decide what is best for you and what you wish to do. It is going to be a long arduous road but if you stay the course it will be well worth it.

Is there specific 18-Delta information you are seeking or rather more generic information? Being more specific about the information you are seeking will help the BTDT's here who know provide you with the information you seek, or alteast pointyou in the right direction.

I wish you the best in your endeavor.