So, this is what I'm looking for [military-wise..]

[teufelhunden]

Alright. ROTC. I'm not contracted yet, my Captain advised me to wait as long as possible, providing no financial issues. So it's going to be the beginning of Junior year, and since I'm a freshy now, I've plenty of time. I forgot to ask the Captain this before I left today, and I want to ask now so I don't have to wait/forget..

What I want to do in the Army is recieve the highest possible level of technical and tactical training. I want to be proficient in anything that shoots, drives, etc. Tactics too-- guerilla warfare, hostage rescue, small squad, yadda yadda. And I'm not looking to train just to train. I want to train rediculous amounts because I'm going to need every ounce of it in the field. I'm aware that this is more or less possible with the Green Berets [SF], except their deployments all seem to be less operations and more relations-- especially in Afghanistan; they're the ones interfacing with the locals, training the Afghan/Iraqi army, etc.

I'm sure there's other operations units in the Army that aren't publicized on their website, so I'll need to see if the Captain knows what/how, but I was wondering if anybody else knows of something that's less rumors and more truth.

Gracias.


[And yes, I know SF/SO is not an easy route. But if I'm going to be active duty, I'm not going to be content being a grunt or a Ranger or anything knowing there's a level above me, higher trained, etc..]

[Hasty8]

I am by no means an expert but I would recommend starting with the Rangers and going from there.

the one thing I have learned is that a lot of the "higher levels" as you called, or the SF/SO route are the older veterans. Usually in their upper twenties to mid-thirties.

These are guy who know that in order to win a war the best bet is to win minds.

Whatever your path, I wish you good luck, shade and sweet water.

[teufelhunden]

SF isn't terribly tough to get into-- you need to go through a few levels of quals, so it's not like a special branch of the army picks you. Albeit, I know their standards are quite high..

Oh, in case anyone missed it, I'm going thru ROTC, so I'd be an officer. If that changes anything..

[Zero-Six]

Alright. ROTC. I'm not contracted yet, my Captain advised me to wait as long as possible, providing no financial issues. So it's going to be the beginning of Junior year, and since I'm a freshy now, I've plenty of time. I forgot to ask the Captain this before I left today, and I want to ask now so I don't have to wait/forget..

What I want to do in the Army is recieve the highest possible level of technical and tactical training. I want to be proficient in anything that shoots, drives, etc. Tactics too-- guerilla warfare, hostage rescue, small squad, yadda yadda. And I'm not looking to train just to train. I want to train rediculous amounts because I'm going to need every ounce of it in the field. I'm aware that this is more or less possible with the Green Berets [SF], except their deployments all seem to be less operations and more relations-- especially in Afghanistan; they're the ones interfacing with the locals, training the Afghan/Iraqi army, etc.

I'm sure there's other operations units in the Army that aren't publicized on their website, so I'll need to see if the Captain knows what/how, but I was wondering if anybody else knows of something that's less rumors and more truth.

Gracias.


[And yes, I know SF/SO is not an easy route. But if I'm going to be active duty, I'm not going to be content being a grunt or a Ranger or anything knowing there's a level above me, higher trained, etc..]

Well if you are wanting to go SO in the Army and be a shooter you have two choices SF or the 75th Ranger Regiment,their is also CA,PSYOPS and the 160th but you will not be doing much of that their.And then their is CAG (Combat Applications Group) which you can't enlist for but it could be something to consider after 4 or more years TIS.I suggest you do your research on SF and the Regiment they both train rediculas amounts as you put it and conduct similar training and operations but are so very different.

SF isn't terribly tough to get into-- you need to go through a few levels of quals, so it's not like a special branch of the army picks you. Albeit, I know their standards are quite high..

Oh, in case anyone missed it, I'm going thru ROTC, so I'd be an officer. If that changes anything..

I'm not going to comment on the first part.If you ever do attempt it and make it that far I guarentee your opinion will change.

I don't know alot about ROTC but from what I've been told you do not get to pick your MOS so you could get stuck in a support MOS.Which isn't bad unless you don't want it.Also as an Officer you will not be able to go SF right away your looking at doing a few years somewhere else before you can even apply,the Ranger Regiment is the same way.

Here is some links that could probably answer most of you questions.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/sof/sofref.pdf

http://www.soc.mil/sofinfo/primer.shtml

http://www.defenselink.mil

http://www.military.com

http://www.specialoperations.com

[teufelhunden]

Let me clarify-- SF training quals aren't tough to get into. Tough to pass, well, that's obvious. Or SF wouldn't really carry the S anymore.

As for the MOS thing, as a 1/c you list 10 branches in order from most preferred to least. You're then assigned based on your performance at some cadet summer things and the needs of the Army.

Thanks for the links, I'll look through them at some point today or tomorrow.

[Steelrat]

Probably Rangers, then try to get into Delta.

[Repoman-gene]

Delta...you need to be over 24 and on your second enlistment(IIRC)

here is a tip for you,they did this when I was serving so it may still be the case..

Get into Airborne school! during the last week of school we had recruters from Ranger and SF come to one of our class rooms and ask if ANYBODY wanted to change MOS's...

so..look for a MOS that gives you GREAT high tech training or COMBAT(rarely do you find both)...weasle your way into AIRBORNE after basic and keep your eyes and ears open,the door will open and you have to be ready to JUMP!!!!

as for "Higher" levels come on man,think about it....you will need to ACHIEVE in the "lower" ranks to make it in.


I was a Scout Helicopter Mech with Jump school under my belt at 19 and when I hit Bragg the doors were ALL open...and the only thing hurting me was my AGE.


I have done a lot of good things and Horrible things in my life...but THAT is my only regret..not sticking till I hit 24 and jumping in with Delta or some other Spec-Op style unit that was sniffing around Bragg.

[68AutoMoose]

How can your name be "Teufelhunden," and you plan on joining the Army?

[Destructo6]

I'm going thru ROTC, so I'd be an officer. If that changes anything..

It does. Enlist if you want to be an operator. Take the commission if you are not bothered by the prospect of competing for operational positions.

[Cougar]

Your needs and wants come last to the Army. You do get to list the the MOS that you want, but good luck getting it. First, the army looks at what they need. If everything is full, then they look at what you want.

Most officers won't get a chance to go to SF testing, because the officers are far more usefull in many other MOS.

Your best bet would to try an get a slot at AB. During the end(last week or so), the recruiters will come buy and ask if anyone want's to be a Ranger. They test you at AB, and if you pass you get assigned to a RQC. Then, if you get tabbed, you will either be sent to your original MOS, or, if your lucky, you'll get patched and be in the Ranger Bat. Then you do your time and wait for an opening at SF Q. You go through 2 years of that, then you'll be a Greenhat.

[teufelhunden]

Your needs and wants come last to the Army. You do get to list the the MOS that you want, but good luck getting it. First, the army looks at what they need. If everything is full, then they look at what you want.

Most officers won't get a chance to go to SF testing, because the officers are far more usefull in many other MOS.

Your best bet would to try an get a slot at AB. During the end(last week or so), the recruiters will come buy and ask if anyone want's to be a Ranger. They test you at AB, and if you pass you get assigned to a RQC. Then, if you get tabbed, you will either be sent to your original MOS, or, if your lucky, you'll get patched and be in the Ranger Bat. Then you do your time and wait for an opening at SF Q. You go through 2 years of that, then you'll be a Greenhat.

Good info, but a bit lost. AB, tabbed.. what do those mean in civvy talk?

[reese0351]

If you intend on being an officer, that'll make SF quite a bit harder for you to get into. The indocs will be the same but just how many officers do you think they'll need? Generally speaking, officers are the career military type so they'll get somewhere and stary there for quite some time. Also, depending on the branch of service, special forces etc, there's going to be a lot less officers than enlisted. You also have to consider that other than pilots, if you're O-4 or higher, you're generally going to be in the desk jockey business. Sure you might still be with a SF unit and you might be able to go on missions every now and then, but you'll just be another paper pusher the rest of the time.

Things to consider:
Air Force Special Forces: Parajumpers. Just like it sounds, they jump out of planes and rescue whoever.
Navy Special Forces: SEALS. Small unit combat teams. Get in, kill, get out.
Army Special Forces: Green Berets. They liason with foreign nations and train militas.
Delta Force. I don't really know a whole lot about Delta.
Marine Corps Special Forces: Force Recon. Small teams that collect intelligence. Highly skilled in combat and capable of killing lots of people in a little time.

You can't compare any of the Special Forces with each other because they all serve different purposes. Just find the style that suits you best and look for opprotunities to accomplish your goal daily.

[NWCDT]

Alright....

Your best bet to be an operator as an officers is to branch infantry. Try to get a slot at Airborne school while in ROTC. I know it is possible. When you branch infantry you will automaticly be given a slot for ranger school. When you complete that you'll just have to see what happens. Around here ( USMA) we get offered a slot for SFAS before our cow year. That's my best bet. I'm gonna try for that and Combat Diver School before my firstie year. We'll see what happens. Dont worry about delta. The odds of you getting that are so slim that there is no reason to think about it. Go for Infantry and try to get assigned to an airborne or airassault unit. I'm gonna go for the 173rd in alaska. this will put you in the community. Then try to get assigned to the rangers. You'll face some of the best competition the army has to offer, but you just might get it. Then, just see what develops.


Another thing, don't forget that as an officer it is your duty to lead the guys that hurt people and break things. Not be the guy to hurt people and break things. It's about leadership. That's why we get payed the big bucks :) .

[teufelhunden]

Another thing, don't forget that as an officer it is your duty to lead the guys that hurt people and break things. Not be the guy to hurt people and break things. It's about leadership. That's why we get payed the big bucks :) .

But they teach lead by example

[Repoman-gene]

Oh yeah...EVERYONE wants to be in a fire fight,taking out the enemy..looking over at your buddy and joking around about the "Skinnys"....throwing gernades and such.

Until your IN a fire fight...

Enemy shooting at you...looking over at your buddy and seeing a smoking hole in him...gernades bouncing into your position.

Loads of fun.




Just remember..your not bringing anything to the table but a body..your looking for all the training and such...but so are ALOT of guys,so when that opportunity opens up it will be up to you to SHOW them you are worth it.