Spartacus said:
I am currently trying to decide what branch of the military in which to enlist. I have always wanted to go army West Point, but I want to go SF's as a route to Delta(If selected). That means boot, 2 years SF training, 4 years West Point, and then a minimum 8 years service after that (5 active, 3 reserve).
You aren't going to complete SF training and then head off to West Point. You will be on an ODA until your enlistment is up. Then, if you want, you can go to West Point, come back into the military as an officer (providing you aren't too old at this point) .. spend two or three years in an infantry unit, put in your SF packet once you're a 1LT(P) and go through the SFQC all over again.
I want to get to the most elite part of the military. (I am not trying to be cocky SOB but I want to be my best). I also dont wanna be told that I can no longer serve in the manner in which I want( for example I read a forum that said Recon have a max 7 year tour, then return to other duties). One other thing on my endless list of demands (lol) is I want to be where the best, brightest, and most recent technologies are incorporated into the military.
That can happen anywhere.
Most recent technologies are not always a good thing. Sometimes, the compass is your best friend. Do not wear rose coloured glasses about technology, while it is good and useful - you will find yourself more times than not, relying on simple, old fashioned fieldcraft and your rifle.
I dont want to end up some desk jockey. Thats what ive done so far, and I expect to do late in life. Im not wanting it just for the thrill, I feel that if I am willing to support a cause, I need to be willing to lay MY life on the line, not just other soldiers.
Regardless of officer or enlisted, you will push a desk at some point in your career. Esp. if you want to be an officer. Everyone will get tagged with staff time at some point. And I would not be so quick to knock all desk jobs - some of those desk jockeys are what keeps the good guys from becoming prey to the bad guys.
So my question becomes;
a) What branch has the more difficult and extensive SpecOps training
b) What branch would I be able to continue SpecOps until I can no longer/decide Im done
c) Which Branch is the most engaged
d) Who is going to get the Future Warrior 2020 first
A) This is a silly question. Obviously, if they are SOF units, all of their training is difficult and extensive.
B) Needs of the military will always come first. You will go and do what they need you to do, regardless of your opinions on where you should be. If Army is your choice, and you want to take a shot at SF - an enlsited career is your best option. But again, there is no guarantee you will spend your entire career on an ODA. Some guys do, some guys get set to the school houses, some guys get staff positions. But as an enlsited 18series, regardless of your assignments, you will get plenty of time on an ODA.
C) Everyone, we're at war you know.
D) Why? Whomever gets it first has the hassle of fixing all of the bugs, putting it back on the shelf, realising, it's not as great as hyped - and losing money that would go to otherwise useful tools. The nature of military procurement. As of now, it has no impact on mission effectiveness, so I hope it isn't a factor in deciding what you want to do. Do not let the flashy 'stuff' influence you.
My recruiter told me that Army SF are basically the units that train foreign allied militaries.
SF has a wide variety of missions. FID is certainly their bread and butter, but it isn't everything. You will find SF doing more direct action in Iraq and Afghanistan at the moment than you will FID. The Special Forces mission is broad.
I dont really want that, but he said that it is the fastest way to Delta, because you will make ranks quickly and that is what they look for.
Passing SFQC is a requirement anyway.
Do rangers have as good of training and equal chance at Delta? Is there a Marine equivilent of Delta? Higher echelons?? Please help!
Rangers out outstanding training. SFOD recruits from all over the Army - there is an entire pool of talent in the US Army, from the water treatment fellas, to the line infantryman.
You seem to be focusing too much on SFOD-D. It would be smart for you to realise now, chances of you ever serving on it are very, very slim. Getting too far ahead of yourself is a sure way of failing.
You need to focus on your 25m target, and stop looking at the 500m target. Right now, you are all over the board with what you want to do. My suggestion to you is do some research, decide first if you want to join the Army or Marine Corps. Because there is a large chance, you'll be serving in conventional forces. Make certain you want to be a Soldier or Marine and would be happy being a line grunt. A lot of good men, good Soldiers and Marines do not make it - chance of you doing so are slim to none at this point. Think about that, and remember it when/if you sign up. Make certain you have the security and dedication it takes to excell at whatever you end up doing.
People do not join SOF units for a simple "change in lifestyle." You have to really want it, or you will fail. A large part of training is mental - and a majority of those that quit, do so because they realise it isn't glamourous. It's hard work, pain and sacrifice.. a lot of it.