Introductions V - Page 107

MiddleCreek · 07-07-2014, 06:00

Hello all,

My name is Aaron, I grew up at Ft Bragg and then moved to Roanoke, VA where I finished high school.

I am currently stationed on Oahu, HI as a Satellite Controller. I am married as of last year, after a very long visa process for my wife to get here from Ireland. I have a German Shepherd who gives me a steady pace for swimming and rucking up these steep island mountains.

After high school I worked with my father as a carpenter in VA, where I became more of his friend and felt like we were catching up after so many years of him being deployed throughout the years. At 19 I met a girl from NC, bought my first house in her hometown, and used the skills I learned in VA to make pretty decent cash for myself. Of course that chapter ends with the relationship not working out, and I write that period off as a learning experience.

I remember working on my house around that time, now single and the only 21 year old kid with a mortgage on block, thinking what the hell am I doing? If I learned anything in that time it was that having a steady job and having my own home doesn't mean I lived a relevant life.

Growing up at Bragg and then working with my father after school, I absorbed enough beliefs in all his conversations, and all the team guys were there enough to have been my uncles anyway.

Even at a very young age I remember thinking I was surrounded by guys I wanted to grow up to be like. They all had a sense of pride in what they did, all would always say they would do it again, and that sense of family I feel I could reach out to if needed is still there even with close to 2 decades having passed. I don't know anyone else like group, and to serve with them would be an honor I could cherish for the rest of my days.

I did join as an 18x but during my Airborne physical in the middle of 11b, my scars from chest tubes were found (again, after I had been cleared at MEPS and signed the 18x contract) from when I was 4 after spontaneous pneumothorax. I was allowed to finish 11b thanks to the Drills, who argued I performed better than most, and then was put in a non-combat job shortly after. I am on my second tour as a satellite controller, and I recently requested to remove my profile ( "211111" that states I may use an inhaler as needed, no limitation) so that I may attend SFAS. I had been told many times that pneumothorax was an instant no go for selection, but motivated to get my career back on a path more towards my original contract, a little research clearly explained otherwise as long as my lungs are tested and working normally.

In the meantime I will keep enjoying the views around here with a ruck, and the most important advice my father gave me years ago for SFAS was "make sure you have freakin Cadillacs for boots", so time to experiment with a few different pairs.

Hats off to all the long tabs, hopefully I will get my chance to serve soon.

Aaron

J1W · 07-07-2014, 20:19

27yr old prior E5 Navy (Helo SAR swimmer/ 60 crewchief) and recent college grad. I was looking to go SF via the officer route (OCS), but the timeline to get there is much longer than what I would prefer to do. Hopefully my prior E5 wavier for enlistment goes through...atleast the 1SGT believes it will...we'll see.

Great site and I appreciate the information and any useful advice is welcomed.

darrylg · 07-08-2014, 18:57

Was part of 1/12 SFGA at Richards Gebaur AFB 1983. 4 years active duty with B Co 2/75 Ranger and C Co (Airborne) 4/23 Inf, Ft Rich, AK. ETS'd and asked local recruiter about area USAR units and was directed to 1/12 SFGA for interview. SGM Cline told me to get a haircut and shave and welcome. Worked in BN S2 for a year.

djdrek · 07-08-2014, 20:24

Ive been waiting for this.
Hey guys im Derek a 16 year old (17 in two hours) thats been intent on becoming a green beret since i was just about 6 years old. I find it my ultimate goal in life. Alot of family members of mine were in green berets early sog and larp so i really want to pass on the tradition (aside from being a master don juan but thats personal lol) i was only influenced by one video game which i can say proudly because every other kid is influenced by cod or some other bullshit. I was influenced by metal gear- metal gear solid series which was carried out by former green beret soldiers that would sabatoge a enemy base solo stealthily and with weapons and equipment OSP even though it is highly unlikely that theres a unit like pictured in metal gear so im over that but if there is a unit like that ill take it. Because the reality show special ops mission featured a soldier doing a several solo simulation missions.

But anyway ill stick to reality and better myself for the chalenges i will have to face once i am in spfs and training.

ic2d · 07-09-2014, 12:25

I am prior service USAF - separated in 2008. Applied for combat rescue officer selection as a young LT, but never pressed beyond the initial screening for reasons which are largely unimportant now.

I have been considering the NG SF route for quite some time and plan to start meeting with recruiters later this month. I'd like to say thank you to all the QPs who have shared your time and experiences on this site. Your words have been invaluable in helping me to understand the true impact of this decision, instead of just assuming "you cannot be SF and have a family."

ngraham10 · 07-11-2014, 21:59

My name is Nick, I will be turning 20 in august and just recently received an 18x contract. I'm from Florida and enjoy playing almost all sports. I come from a military family and grew up wanting to serve.

lordfinisher · 07-12-2014, 12:58

Hi all! 27 years old E-5 with 5 years active duty mostly spent at Fort Gordon, deployed to Iraq 09-10. Right now I'm going to college completing my degree and currently serving the Illinois national guard. I'm interested in attending SFAS but I'm torn between completing college first or going now. I have no plans on becoming an officer once I get a degree.

angus mac · 07-12-2014, 20:47

Howdy. I found this site while searching for aides and a training regimen on how to stay awake and be focused while being exhausted. I have only met one Green Beret,Lt.Col.Bo Gritz. I have met three Force Recon Marines and was given some training by two of the Marines. I have read a book that was co-written and about S/Sgt. Franklin Miller(MOH).I will mostly be reading the various threads and staying out of the way.Thanks for letting me visit.

Boxer99 · 07-14-2014, 13:20

E-6 Reservist who over the past few years has been very fortunate to have been mentored by some outstanding men in the SOF community (SF, SEAL); a number who I also call friends. Firm belief that I have much more still to give service-wise.

PhyrricVictory · 07-15-2014, 11:09

Greetings Gentlemen,

I thankfully stumbled upon this site while starting my research into SF. I turn 27 this October and am sick of the corporate grind. I've always been into military history since childhood, and hold a great deal of respect for those who have served and are currently serving. Currently working on PT to gear up to REP 63 into the ARNG SF pipeline. Recently purchased the GET SELECTED! book, lots of useful information in it as well as on this site.

Snaquebite · 07-15-2014, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by djdrek

Ive been waiting for this.
Hey guys im Derek a 16 year old (17 in two hours) thats been intent on becoming a green beret since i was just about 6 years old. I find it my ultimate goal in life. Alot of family members of mine were in green berets early sog and larp so i really want to pass on the tradition (aside from being a master don juan but thats personal lol) i was only influenced by one video game which i can say proudly because every other kid is influenced by cod or some other bullshit. I was influenced by metal gear- metal gear solid series which was carried out by former green beret soldiers that would sabatoge a enemy base solo stealthily and with weapons and equipment OSP even though it is highly unlikely that theres a unit like pictured in metal gear so im over that but if there is a unit like that ill take it. Because the reality show special ops mission featured a soldier doing a several solo simulation missions.

But anyway ill stick to reality and better myself for the chalenges i will have to face once i am in spfs and training.

Derek, I'm going to make an exception to rule 10 of this board which states "Individuals under the age of 17 are not encouraged to post".. In your case do not post again until you reach 18. Then update your introduction using proper grammar and punctuation and let us know what you have learned from READING for a year. Happy Birthday.

jordi727 · 07-16-2014, 08:59

Currently serving in Korea, coming up on 2 years TIS in September. Been thinking about making SF a career move for myself for a while. I attended a brief about 3 weeks ago. Thats all it took to convince me. As of now I'm completing my physical and pushing myself with more PT. Any advice to be offered would be greatly accepted.

MTMan · 07-16-2014, 15:00

USMC officer turning 26 this month, that is getting out in the near future. I'm looking at making the move over to SF after getting a taste for the FID mission during an advisor team deployment to AFG last year. Worked alongside several MARSOC and SEAL elements.

I greatly appreciate the knowledge and commentary imparted here.

fatfrank · 07-17-2014, 10:40

I have watched this site for a while and joined a couple weeks ago but just now doing the intro.

I am VN and cold war era Army. Served in VN as member of a Combat Tracker Team CTT9/557th and later in mid 70's in ASA in Berlin. Grad from DLI along with other stuff.

Retired 5 yrs ago in Fl Keys. Nice FLAT reliably WARM DRY place. No Tornadoes (waterspouts don't really count), no earthquakes, no forest fires, no blizzards, no rivers overflowing their banks, no sinkholes, no Polar Vortexes, no illegal immigrants (no wait that isn't true), no tsunamis, - well you get the picture- .

Will gladly read what is said about this SOF stuff, as I have lead a sheltered life.

striveseekfind · 07-18-2014, 00:37

Hey all,

I'm a prior service Marine, got out in 2010. After completing my associate's degree, I have decided to obtain an 18X contract. I'm working out, getting myself ready and back into shape so I can handle SFAS and SFQC. I'm 29 years old, so I have a few months before I have to ship out. I appreciate all the knowledge that is on here from the members and the time that you take to educate us. I hope to learn a lot more before it's time for me to head out and start this incredible journey.