18Xs and Rep 63s

[whocares175]

i'm kinda late in posting to this forum. prior service 18x.

[John_Chrichton]

Non-prior 18X.

[KiloNovember]

18x
20110525

[Candidate1]

18X
Ship Date: 20110524

Originally Posted by Candidate1

18X
Ship Date: 20110524

You may very well be the last 18X, be safe.

I posted earlier which resulted in several young 18xer's PM'ing, asking if the 18X program is going away. SF command will do what is in the best interest of SF missions world wide. SF will open new doors, close some, and open doors again all in the best interest of the command.

Some soldiers enlist with the idea of Special Forces, or no Army at all. Such thinking is not in the best interest of SF or the US Army in general. What if you failed, got hurt, missed training, or unable to complete Special Forces training, do you just say, "Hell with this, I'm going home!" If that is the case, then don't even show up. Stay home and do something else.

I had several friends who for whatever reason failed SF. None of them were ever bitter, one became a Rigger, another a weapons armorer. And you know what, they were the best riggers and armorers I ever met. They had army pride. Another ETS'd, finshed college, then Law school, returned to the army with JAG, and had a lot of fun with the 18th ABN Corp., and 82nd ABN Div. After 6 years of college he missed the life. He finshed his assignments then entered the reserves to be closer to family.

You will never know where your careers will take you, have maturity in decision making, have confidence in your choices.

SFQC has gone from as little as 250 graduates per year to exceeding, I've heard 750 per year.

To all -

Who's to say what the future may bring, just stay focused on the 25M target.

My training was interrupted not once, but three times. When I entered the army, I was a SF baby, a REP63. When I finished ABN trng, I was held over three weeks mowing lawns at Ft. Benning waiting for orders. When I arrived Ft. Bragg, I was out of cycle and ended up pulling SWC duty 6 months, then again, in my career, one year waiting for yet another course.

Do you believe in your calling as a SF soldier? Then surrender the fear and go be a great soldier.

I welcome any response.

WD

Originally Posted by wet dog

I posted earlier which resulted in several young 18xer's PM'ing, asking if the 18X program is going away. SF command will do what is in the best interest of SF missions world wide. SF will open new doors, close some, and open doors again all in the best interest of the command.

Some soldiers enlist with the idea of Special Forces, or no Army at all. Such thinking is not in the best interest of SF or the US Army in general. What if you failed, got hurt, missed training, or unable to complete Special Forces training, do you just say, "Hell with this, I'm going home!" If that is the case, then don't even show up. Stay home and do something else.

I had several friends who for whatever reason failed SF. None of them were ever bitter, one became a Rigger, another a weapons armorer. And you know what, they were the best riggers and armorers I ever met. They had army pride. Another ETS'd, finshed college, then Law school, returned to the army with JAG, and had a lot of fun with the 18th ABN Corp., and 82nd ABN Div. After 6 years of college he missed the life. He finshed his assignments then entered the reserves to be closer to family.

You will never know where your careers will take you, have maturity in decision making, have confidence in your choices.

SFQC has gone from as little as 250 graduates per year to exceeding, I've heard 750 per year.

To all -

Who's to say what the future may bring, just stay focused on the 25M target.

My training was interrupted not once, but three times. When I entered the army, I was a SF baby, a REP63. When I finished ABN trng, I was held over three weeks mowing lawns at Ft. Benning waiting for orders. When I arrived Ft. Bragg, I was out of cycle and ended up pulling SWC duty 6 months, then again, in my career, one year waiting for yet another course.

Do you believe in your calling as a SF soldier? Then surrender the fear and go be a great soldier.

I welcome any response.

WD

Again

[stevo]

Wet Dog:

Thank you for the words of wisdom. I do firmly believe that my calling in life is to serve as a Special Forces soldier. I am convinced that I have the intelligence and maturity to be an asset on an ODA and that I could take a message to Garcia. That being said, I realize that my amateur self-analysis means little to nothing; and if the SFAS cadre disagree, then I would gladly serve in whatever capacity I am placed in until I receive another opportunity to prove myself.

Whenever I tell my friends and family that I am enlisting and what I am enlisting for, one of their first questions is, “What if you don’t make it?” I personally see this as a win-win situation. If I do “make it” I will earn the opportunity to serve as a Special Forces soldier, but if I do not, I will have the opportunity to learn some vital skills that will probably make me more of an asset on an ODA, should I obtain another opportunity to attend selection and the Q course.

On the other hand, I intend to make the most of my time before I ship out in order to temper my mind and body. I have about six months before I leave, and I am going to use it to the fullest to improve myself. So my strategy in all of this is to prepare as best as I can to be the best soldier possible, no matter where I end up serving.

I apologize for the long-winded response; this has been on my mind for some time.

Originally Posted by stevo

So my strategy in all of this is to prepare as best as I can to be the best soldier, [citizen, student, husband, brother, friend, son], possible, no matter where I end up serving.

stevo - that is the finest thing I've heard all morning. Imagine an army or the nations citizenry who felt the same way.

Thanks for posting.

[James D]

Non-prior 18x, shipping 20110524

[spherojon]

WD,

You hit the nail on the head. I have hit a shoulder setback while stationed at Fort Living Room. My brother preached to me over and over again, that the goal is to be the best at what ever I do and focus on the 25m target. He told me that I should just get my foot in the door first (as a 68w or 11b) to see if I even liked the army, let alone SF. I think a lot of 18xer's sign up, having no real idea what SF is, or what they are getting into. It's a uphill battle, and the odds are stacked against you. Going 18x you take a giant leap, instead of going 11b and progressing to Airborne, and if you like it progress to SF or Ranger.

The two sides of the coin that I find myself at is, 1) 18x is a great opportunity for a civilian to join the ranks of SF. The odds are stacked against you, but if you decide this route, then mentally you must have a zen like focus. If at one point you doubt, and think "what if I dont...." then you are not prepared (speaking for myself). But failure trying to make SF is not failure at all, you get to join the ranks of Airborne or Leg troopers. 2) You join the Army as 11b or 68w or whatever, and gradually work your way up. You're progress isn't as fast as 18x, but you progress in stages none the less. Eventually you will make it to your goal, or you can decide that being Airborne is where your home is.

Personally, I think some 18xer's that are joining lately have a screwed sense of reality. They want a quick route instead of the best route for themselves to their goals. To me, being SF isn't about the Hollywood image shooting a gun from the hip, its about the brotherhood, its about helping those that cant help themselves, making the world a better place one hell hole at a time. Its about living in 3rd world countries, eating, drinking, and sharing a bed with the populace of those 3rd world countries 6-9 months at a time. Personally, I just see a lot of young 20 something year old's entering 18x with no clue what it even means to be SF.

This is just my opinion, take it for what its worth.

P.S. Warning to future 18xer's, don't confuse cocky arrogance for real confidence.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by spherojon

WD,

You hit the nail on the head. I have hit a shoulder setback while stationed at Fort Living Room. My brother preached to me over and over again, that the goal is to be the best at what ever I do and focus on the 25m target. He told me that I should just get my foot in the door first (as a 68w or 11b) to see if I even liked the army, let alone SF. I think a lot of 18xer's sign up, having no real idea what SF is, or what they are getting into. It's a uphill battle, and the odds are stacked against you. Going 18x you take a giant leap, instead of going 11b and progressing to Airborne, and if you like it progress to SF or Ranger.

The two sides of the coin that I find myself at is, 1) 18x is a great opportunity for a civilian to join the ranks of SF. The odds are stacked against you, but if you decide this route, then mentally you must have a zen like focus. If at one point you doubt, and think "what if I dont...." then you are not prepared (speaking for myself). But failure trying to make SF is not failure at all, you get to join the ranks of Airborne or Leg troopers. 2) You join the Army as 11b or 68w or whatever, and gradually work your way up. You're progress isn't as fast as 18x, but you progress in stages none the less. Eventually you will make it to your goal, or you can decide that being Airborne is where your home is.

Personally, I think some 18xer's that are joining lately have a screwed sense of reality. They want a quick route instead of the best route for themselves to their goals. To me, being SF isn't about the Hollywood image shooting a gun from the hip, its about the brotherhood, its about helping those that cant help themselves, making the world a better place one hell hole at a time. Its about living in 3rd world countries, eating, drinking, and sharing a bed with the populace of those 3rd world countries 6-9 months at a time. Personally, I just see a lot of young 20 something year old's entering 18x with no clue what it even means to be SF.

This is just my opinion, take it for what its worth.

P.S. Warning to future 18xer's, don't confuse cocky arrogance for real confidence.

Well said.

TR

[Angry Rabbit]

Prior Service. Ship Date 20110524

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Angry Rabbit

Prior Service. Ship Date 20110524

AR:

This is not where your first post goes.

Please reread the rules and stickies and comply.

TR

[Green Light]

Originally Posted by spherojon

WD,

You hit the nail on the head. I have hit a shoulder setback while stationed at Fort Living Room. My brother preached to me over and over again, that the goal is to be the best at what ever I do and focus on the 25m target. He told me that I should just get my foot in the door first (as a 68w or 11b) to see if I even liked the army, let alone SF. I think a lot of 18xer's sign up, having no real idea what SF is, or what they are getting into. It's a uphill battle, and the odds are stacked against you. Going 18x you take a giant leap, instead of going 11b and progressing to Airborne, and if you like it progress to SF or Ranger.

The two sides of the coin that I find myself at is, 1) 18x is a great opportunity for a civilian to join the ranks of SF. The odds are stacked against you, but if you decide this route, then mentally you must have a zen like focus. If at one point you doubt, and think "what if I dont...." then you are not prepared (speaking for myself). But failure trying to make SF is not failure at all, you get to join the ranks of Airborne or Leg troopers. 2) You join the Army as 11b or 68w or whatever, and gradually work your way up. You're progress isn't as fast as 18x, but you progress in stages none the less. Eventually you will make it to your goal, or you can decide that being Airborne is where your home is.

Personally, I think some 18xer's that are joining lately have a screwed sense of reality. They want a quick route instead of the best route for themselves to their goals. To me, being SF isn't about the Hollywood image shooting a gun from the hip, its about the brotherhood, its about helping those that cant help themselves, making the world a better place one hell hole at a time. Its about living in 3rd world countries, eating, drinking, and sharing a bed with the populace of those 3rd world countries 6-9 months at a time. Personally, I just see a lot of young 20 something year old's entering 18x with no clue what it even means to be SF.

This is just my opinion, take it for what its worth.

P.S. Warning to future 18xer's, don't confuse cocky arrogance for real confidence.

I can't emphasize enough how steep the learning curve was. I was a REP 63 who was lucky enough (and I DO MEAN lucky) to be invited to an active duty team. I thought that I was ready to go after SFQC but had YEARS of learning to do on just the conventional Army stuff. TTPs aren't something you just read in a book and apply. Infantry tactics, our trade and craft with the indig, has to be mastered. Once you get about 5 years under your belt, you're probably about there. If you come to SF "flat-footed" with no background, you're already behind.

That, and other things need to be factored into someone's decision to come to SF. I appreciate your honest self assessment. BTW, cocky arrogance will get you nowhere. Those guys assessing you can see the difference in a second.

Best of luck. I hope it works out for you!