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Originally Posted by Road_Less_Taken The most direct route of entry from civilian life is the 18X program, though this only allows entry as an enlisted man.
I have just recently completed an advanced academic degree and have full or partial fluency in several foreign languages (as well as other skills which may, or may not be, relevant). I have spoken with everyone I know who was in the military, and they all tell me the same thing - if at all possible, I should enter as an officer. |
What do you want to do? Stay on the teams (provided you actually make it past SFAS) for several years, or operate for 18 months and then take a staff position?
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One such acquaintance, a former Vietnam-era Green Beret
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Quick lesson, never "green beret," those are hats. SF soldier will do.
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Since SF is so different from other military occupations, he suggested I could fill in many of the gaps in my training during the SFQC (after boot camp and airborne training).
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SFQC will not fill in gaps, it will train you, completely. Unless you've had time in another SOF unit with a smiliar mission, there won't be anything there to have gaps.
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Finally, entering as an officer would give me more options in case I didn't make the cut in the SFQC (anyone know what the failure rate is, by any chance?).
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Firstly, you have less options as an officer as you do on the enlisted side. Secondly, if you are already worried about not making "the cut," and are concered about the failure rate, you have already failed. Conviction and mental determination are what count most during training.
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The downside to this approach, so far as I can tell, is that it does not guarantee a slot in the Q course.
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Neither does 18X. Nowhere in an 18X contract does it say you are guaranteed a slot at the SFQC. You have to earn it. Most do not make it past SFAS before they are sent down to the 82nd Abn Div. If you do a search on SFAS/SFQC in this forum, you will find a post that outlines the 18X pipeline.
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how could I enter as an officer, without screwing with my chances of getting a slot in the SFQC, that would otherwise be guaranteed (by going 18X)?
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You cannot. If you want to be a US Army officer, then by all means, become one, but do not bank on branching SF. You should be willing to accept any fate the Army wishes upon you. If you want to be SF, enlist and look at officer options later down the road, if you make it to an ODA.
On the enlisted side, you can always choose to go green to gold later on, by the way.
Ultimately, it is up to you.
Any other questions you have, feel free to ask if they haven't already been covered.
Good luck.