Army Special Forces

[Flybet3]

Hey guys, years ago when I graduated high school I almost joined the army to "try" and become a green beret. I didnt join b/c I had just met my wife who was my girlfriend at the time and I really wanted to do flying first. I've still wanted to join the special forces but i'm not sure if they have reserve for that area of the army.

I spoke with a guy and he told me that I have to enlist and complete the training and I can then go on reserve as a green beret. Is this true? If anyone can give me some info or has actually been in the special forces that would be great.

 

[Pistlpetet]

I suggest you go to this forum http://www.socnetcentral.com/vb/ and do your research. All the information you are looking for is there. If you decide to post on it, read the rules, FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE, and don't be a tool. Tools and Fools are set up for a hasty exfill off the forum by the mods.

I reccomend dumping the wife/GF in favor of SF. GF and wives come and go. Do something for yourself.

 

[Snakum]

spoke with a guy and he told me that I have to enlist and complete the training and I can then go on reserve as a green beret.

Total crap. Reserve (and Guard, at one time) SF units were the only Army units who could send a recruit direct to Basic/IAT (Infantry OSUT) --> Jump School --> JFK SWC back when it was hard to get a school slot.

Nowadays, even a full-timer may actually enlist directly as an SF soldier and you could, at least last year, go straight to Benning for Jump School then JFK after merely completing a 30-day 'mini-basic', if you met certain requirements. DOD is really ramping the unconventional forces up.

Back when I was in it took a re-inlistment in the BEAR program or being sent by a reserve/guard SF unit to get in. I put in 4187s to go to Jump School and Special Forces monthly for three years (till I got fed up and stopped ), and the closest I came was candy-striping with the 10th in Bad Tolz. But today I'd merely have to say "Can I get a shot at SF eval?"

Remember, though ... the Q-Course is a ball-breaker. I knew some pretty fit guys (one a triathalon contender) who got launched out of the QC. You have to have almost a professional athlete's stamina and strength AND a 'never quit' attitude.

See a Reserve recruiter and you'll get the scoop. You'll see.

Good luck.

 

[JungleJett]

Check into USAF "SpecOps" such as STS, PJ and ETAC's. You will get to hang with the SF guys but still be a blue suiter. My ANG is ALWAYS hiring STS and PJ's. They are all rough courses....

 

[Snakum]

I didn't think of that. If he wanted to fly after his stint, going PJ would allow him to network with the flyboys while still serving in a Hooah-Hardcore-HiSpeed/LoDrag unit. I worked with Para Rescue in Bad Tolz a million years ago, aggressing them on E&E courses run by 10th SF ... top notch guys.

 

[dingo222]

The reserves no longer hold sf units. there are still 2 groups in the guard, the 19th and 20th and are deployed just as regular as active units. I served with the old 11th, 5th, CAPOC, and SWC and went in under the rep-63 program. That was the zero to hero program, and only 2 of us out of 12 made it. You can still do it, active duty. The majority of SF guys come from the ranks of the enlisted in the army with prior service. SF wants experienced soliders, not green recruits. It is very hard for someone who has not been in a line unit to make it, but it's not impossible. SFAS is a ball buster to say the least, and the Q is no cake walk either. Maturity, being a self motivator, and a die hard " i will die before I quit" attitude is needed to get through SFAS.

SF soliders are teachers first, and have to be able to work without direction or a plan from the stratosphere of officers and planners in the army. In SFAS, you will be alone for most of it, given the least information possible and they will watch and see what you can do with it. Most of the soldiers that try out for SF have been enlisted for 4 yrs and have been told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it for their entire time in the army. It's a big adjustment and it's not for everyone.

The prob with the new army program that recruits people straight into sf is that if you don't make it, you will get retrained and sent out into the army elsewhere. They will not terminate your contract and send you home. Hope this helps

 

[Flybet3]

The reserves no longer hold sf units. there are still 2 groups in the guard, the 19th and 20th and are deployed just as regular as active units. I served with the old 11th, 5th, CAPOC, and SWC and went in under the rep-63 program. That was the zero to hero program, and only 2 of us out of 12 made it. You can still do it, active duty. The majority of SF guys come from the ranks of the enlisted in the army with prior service. SF wants experienced soliders, not green recruits. It is very hard for someone who has not been in a line unit to make it, but it's not impossible. SFAS is a ball buster to say the least, and the Q is no cake walk either. Maturity, being a self motivator, and a die hard " i will die before I quit" attitude is needed to get through SFAS.

SF soliders are teachers first, and have to be able to work without direction or a plan from the stratosphere of officers and planners in the army. In SFAS, you will be alone for most of it, given the least information possible and they will watch and see what you can do with it. Most of the soldiers that try out for SF have been enlisted for 4 yrs and have been told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it for their entire time in the army. It's a big adjustment and it's not for everyone.

The prob with the new army program that recruits people straight into sf is that if you don't make it, you will get retrained and sent out into the army elsewhere. They will not terminate your contract and send you home. Hope this helps

Thank you, for all the info. Did you do any really dangerous missions?

 

[dingo222]

really dangerous? getting loaded with some friends and going "whaling" at a bar is really dangerous.......................

 

[Flybet3]

really dangerous? getting loaded with some friends and going "whaling" at a bar is really dangerous.......................

yeah i guess not wearing a rubber in 3rd world countries is about as dangerous as going to the middle east with an american flag, and saying that muhameed is gay

 

[FN FAL]

DOD is really ramping the unconventional forces up.

That was readily apparent when the Navy converted 4 of their missile boats for seal deployment. Up until then, they would only risk a diesel boat for such operations.

Also, I think the Navy has launched some new special support ships for special forces people.

Little wars is way of the future now that the Russian invasion of Europe scenario of the Cold War era has seemingly become passé.

 

[FN FAL]

4 billion for converting the SSBN's to SSGN's...1 billion per boat.

That's a lot of money, no wonder they had to dump the C-17 program...

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RS21007.pdf#search=%22submarines%20converted%20special%20forces%22

 

[DaveGriffin]

4 billion for converting the SSBN's to SSGN's...1 billion per boat.

That's a lot of money, no wonder they had to dump the C-17 program...

Sh*tcaning the C-17 is worth it to get the ASDS.

 

[JungleJett]

Sh*tcaning the C-17 is worth it to get the ASDS.

Yeah, SF can hump all thier gear in. We certainly do not need Strat or Tac airlift. Or maybe they can go by convoy, Donkey or Camel?

 

[DaveGriffin]

Yeah, SF can hump all thier gear in. We certainly do not need Strat or Tac airlift. Or maybe they can go by convoy, Donkey or Camel?

I'm sure that SOCOM will make sure that SF arrives at the target refreshed and ready to kick *ss.

The ASDS is payback for all the 3 mile IBS transits from the drop off point. Now our guys can ride in air conditioned comfort right to the surf zone.

Remember, the name of the game now is littoral warfare.

 

[stonewall]

Littoral warfare........and CAS! :bomb:

 

[Scrapdog]

Littoral warfare........and CAS! :bomb:

Magnum's as clueless at CAS as me...hey dude, the North arrow in the TGP, that actually means north for what the pod sees, not your HSI. I learned that lesson - self critiqueing.

 

[DaveGriffin]

Littoral warfare........and CAS! :bomb:

CAS is always the answer MAGNUM!!

The ASDS insertees will have the most kick *ass CAS ever; a SSGN (USN bros.) with mucho tactical Tomahawks.

 

[JungleJett]

Can that thing go through dirt and rock like those found in the mountains of Afghanistan?

 

[DaveGriffin]

Can that thing go through dirt and rock like those found in the mountains of Afghanistan?

Probably a lot better than the homo 250 lbs SDB that the AF F-15/16/22 drivers are so hot on.

I'm guessing 10 sequential TLAM hits, at close interval, could dig a pretty good hole in surface rock formations anywhere.

But then, your example is not exactly a littoral CAS scenario.

 

[JungleJett]

Probably a lot better than the homo 250 lbs SDB that the AF F-15/16/22 drivers are so hot on.

I'm guessing 10 sequential TLAM hits, at close interval, could dig a pretty good hole in surface rock formations anywhere.

But then, your example is not exactly a littoral CAS scenario.

I was talking about the ASDS that you see as worthwhile financial replacement for the C-17.